Create a playlist. What are you listening to now? What encourages you? Holiday favorites?

In the mornings I listen to a worship music playlist either on my iPhone or my Amazon Prime streaming music. I usually listen to that at work too, but I have now started listening to my Spotify Christmas playlist (394 songs and counting) that I’ve been building on for three years. On the way home from work I usually scan local radio stations – the top 40 pop one, the best of the 80s, 90s, and now one, and the two country ones (trying to like country at least a little since the soon to be hubby likes or listen to music I’ve purchased or downloaded via Amazon Prime Streaming.

Worship music encourages me, sets my mind and heart in the right place, and helps me not leave space for sin and temptation to easily invade. I really do try to listen to it A LOT. I don’t think there is a magic formula, but for me it helps me think about worthy things and fight thoughts of unworthy things. “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8) Music about Jesus and what He’s done for is my go-to. And even though all Christmas music isn’t holy, Christmas music does the same for me because even if the world doesn’t acknowledge it, Christmas is about Jesus being born to die so that we could live.

Here’s some of my current favorites from all the categories of music I listen to:

Radio Pop:
Can’t Stop The Feeling – Justin Timberlake
Treat You Better – Shawn Mendes
My House – Flo Rida
Lost Boy – Ruth B

Radio Country:
Comeback Kid – The Band Perry
Peter Pan – Kelsea Ballerini
Vice – Miranda Lambert

My Music:
The Best Day – Taylor Swift
Everything – Michael Buble
Crazy – Ben Rector
Diamonds – Johnnyswim
Brand New – Ben Rector
Home – Michael Buble
Live While You’re Young – Johnnyswim
Million Years Ago – Adele

Christmas:
I Heard the Bells – North Point Christmas
Dawn is Breaking – North Point Christmas
Unto Us – North Point Christmas
Hallelujah – North Point Christmas
O Holy Night – North Point Christmas
Christmas Saved Us All – Jon McLaughlin
The First Noel – Lady Antebellum
God With Us – All Sons and Daughters
Hark the Herald Angels Sing – Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors
Away in a Manger – Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors
Merry Christmas Tonight – Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors
What Are You Doing New Years Eve – Johnnyswim
Christmas Day – Johnnyswim
O Come All Ye Faithful – Johnnyswim
O Come Let Us Adore Him – Hillsong Worship
Emmanuel – Hillsong Worship
We Have a Savior – Hillsong Worship
Unto Us – Hillsong Worship
Our King Has Come – Hillsong Worship
Evermore – Phil Wickham
Little Drummer Boy – Phil Wickham
Christmas Time – Phil Wickham
The First Noel – Phil Wickham
Heaven Everywhere – Francesca Battistelli
Christmas Is – Francesca Battistelli
You’re Here – Francesca Battistelli
December 25th – Francesca Battistelli
Christmas Dreams – Francesca Battistelli
Emmanuel Come – Pentatonix (also most versions of this song, North Point, Gloriana, Leona Lewis, Phil Wickam, Hillsong Worship, etc)
This Christmas – Pentatonix
All I Want for Christmas – by everyone (Mariah, Dave Barnes, Michael Buble Justin Beiber, Lady Antebellum, Glee)
I Celebrate the Day – Relient K
Cold December Night – Michael Buble

I mean just to name a “few” favorites that I never get tired of…

Worship (easier to name artists!):
All Sons & Daughters
Amanda Cook
Bethel Music
Hillsong United
Steffany Gretzinger
John Mark McMillan
Lauren Daigle
Shane & Shane