Hallelujah Chorus - Quincy Jones and Various Artists

Psalms 100:1, "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands." Here's a "joyful noise" version of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah, from way back in 1992, directed by Quincy Jones and performed by various artists.

Little Drummer Boy - Pentatonix

This video has to be one of my favorites this year. I'm a big Pentatonix fan. But I have to wonder . . . How does their beat boxer make all those noises? He's like Bobby McFerrin on steroids.

Light of Christmas - Owl City

At first, I thought this was just another fun, upbeat pop tune about Christmas shopping. Then after watching the video with lyrics, I realized this guy really gets the point of Christmas. It's a time that we worship God and do good to others.

A Hallelujah Christmas - Cloverton

O Come Emmanuel - Lindsay Sterling and Kuha'o Case

I know I've already posted one version of O Come, Emmanuel this month, but I saw this one and just had to include it. The music is beautiful, but it's the message that is even more beautiful.

Deck the Halls - Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Los Pastores a Belen - Elder David Archuleta

I love David Archuleta's voice. Apparently, so does his mission president. Elder Archuleta is still singing in special performances, like this outdoor Christmas program, while he is serving in Chile.

What Shall We Give - Mormon Tabernacle Choir

During the Christmas season, we sing about peach and good will toward men. How would you define good will toward men? How about doing unto others as Christ would do? If you like this song, watch at the end of the video for instructions to download the free MP3.

Wintertime - Pieces of April

I know this isn't really a Christmas video, but it is called Wintertime, and it's done by my cousin Christina Christensen and her friend Davin Neb. Their band is called Pieces of April. It was written by Janie Christensen (Christina's mother) and Davin, and based on a true story. Be prepared. It's a tearjerker. (Oh, and see that book over in the right-hand column, Values Stories for a Young Woman? Christina wrote one of the stories in that book, about how she and her sister Ali are following their musical aspirations, despite battling cystic fibrosis every day of their lives.)

Something About December - Christina Perri

This song seems to fit my mood today. The best Christmas celebrations are with family.

Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains

As we were driving home last night, I was trying to find a station that was playing something other than "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Santa Baby." My husband said, "Why don't they ever play something like Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains? We never hear that one anymore." So I found it for him. Here you go, honey.

Christmas in Krakow - Cider Sky

I love the visuals of this video. It's all stop-action photography on the streets of Krakow, Poland, during the Christmas season. This is better than a house draped with lights synchronized to blink with the beat of Trans Siberian Orchestra.

Clouds - Zach Sobiech

This isn't really a Christmas song, although there is a large Christmas tree and a huge crowd in a mall. It was written by Zach Sobiech, a young man with terminal cancer, to help his family cope with his coming death. On December 6 of this year, at the Mall of America, 5,000 people paid tribute to this courageous and talented young man by singing his song.

CLOUDS
By Zach Sobiech

Well I fell down, down, down
Into this dark and lonely hole
There was no one there to care about me anymore
And I needed a way to climb and grab a hold of the edge
You were sitting there holding a rope

And we'll go up, up, up
But I'll fly a little higher
We'll go up in the clouds because the view is a little nicer
Up here my dear
It won't be long now, it won't be long now

When I get back on land
Well I'll never get my chance
Be ready to live and it'll be ripped right out of my hands
Maybe someday we'll take a little ride
We'll go up, up, up and everything will be just fine

And we'll go up, up, up
But I'll fly a little higher

We'll go up in the clouds because the view is a little nicer
Up here my dear

It won't be long now, it won't be long now
If only I had a little bit more time
If only I had a little bit more time with you

We could go up, up, up
And take that little ride
And sit there holding hands
And everything would be just right
And maybe someday I'll see you again
We'll float up in the clouds and we'll never see the end

And we'll go up, up, up
But I'll fly a little higher
We'll go up in the clouds because the view is a little nicer
Up here my dear
It won't be long now, it won't be long now

Underneath The Tree - Kelly Clarkson

The best part of Christmas is having your loved ones with you. Enjoy the music. I need to go bake something, and decorate, and wrap presents, and hug my family - a lot.

I'll Be Home For Christmas - Bing Crosby

I'm getting the one thing I really want for Christmas! My children will both be here this weekend! We're celebrating our family Christmas a little early, because my daughter is going to be in New Zealand on December 25th. (She's going to be serving an LDS mission!) This song is posted in honor of my son, who can sing along with Bing Crosby and hit all the low notes. He has the most awesome voice. We are definitely going to be singing some carols this weekend.

Go Tell It On The Mountain

Well, this was a fun find. This guy is apparently ambidextrous and ambipedal. (It's a real word. I Googled it.)

My Kind of Christmas - Heather Latimer-Bosworth

Guys! This is my super talented niece Heather Latimer-Bosworth. (She's the short one with long hair. The tall guy is her husband and biggest fan.)

Heather has FINALLY released her first single, "My Kind of Christmas." She wrote the lyrics, composed the music, and performed the vocals. Listen to the video here (actually it's more of a festive picture with a soundtrack). Then you can follow this link to buy it on iTunes  or follow this link to buy it on Amazon. Then do me a favor and share it on your favorite social media outlet.

Hark, the Herald Angels Sing

U.S. Air Force Band Flash Mob

When I do this Musical Advent Calendar every year, I like to include something especially for the men and women of the military. So you can imagine how thrilled I was to discover this video of the United States Air Force Band with a flash mob performance at the National Air and Space Museum. This is probably the most well-disciplined flash mob I've ever seen. Just look at those straight lines at the end.

(Now, technically, I think they should call this an orchestra instead of band, since they have stringed instruments. But this is the Air Force, so we're just going to let them call themselves whatever they please.)

A Strange Way to Save the World - Rascal Flatts

Here's a Christmas song I just discovered that is written from Joseph's perspective. It's "A Strange Way to Save the World," sung by Rascal Flatts.

The Manger of Bethlehem - Rob Gardner (Josh Mortensen)

This came out on YouTube last year, but I didn't discover it until now. What a wonderful piece! I think this is going to become a staple for school and church choir Christmas concerts for years to come. You can get the MP3 and the sheet music free at spiremusic.org.

This Christmas Song - Angie Miller

During the last season of American Idol, Angie Miller was one of my favorite contestants. I think she could have won the whole thing, except there was another contestant named Candace Glover, who was phenomenal. But Angie has a big career ahead of her. This is her first Christmas single, which she co-wrote, called "This Christmas Song."

Christmas Flash Mob - Ding Dong Merrily on High

Wouldn't this be a blast? "Sing in a Christmas Flash Mob" is definitely going on my bucket list.

O Come Emanuel - The Piano Guys

I could listen to this version of O Come Emanuel by The Piano Guys over and over again, and I have. The music is hauntingly beautiful. The video was created on a set that was built in Utah by the LDS Church to make a series of videos about the life of Christ, which you can find by clicking this link.

Merry Christmas! And Happy Hanukkah!

I love Christmas music! (After Thanksgiving, thank you.) I love to find and share wonderful renditions of classics, as well as new music I've just discovered. To start things off this year, here's the group Straight No Chaser with the Christmas Can Can. And a special shout out to my Jewish friends. Did you know that this year Hanukkah began on November 27 and ends on December 5? If you don't know what Hanukkah is all about, it's the Jewish Festival of Lights. As I understand it, it celebrates a miracle that occurred when there was only a single cruse of oil to light the menorah in the temple, but it lasted for eight days. There's a lot more to it than that, but I'm not an expert. Just trust me that it celebrates a miracle from God.

So Merry Christmas! And Happy Hanukkah, too!