The Christmas Blog Post With a Playlist

Merry Christmas, Royal Priesthood!!! Christmas 2025 is here and right now, I'm feeling sentimental. I send my love to all this holiday season. This year has been one for the books. Through many ups and downs we've made it Christmas.

To keep things light I'm going to make a Christmas Playlist of Some Favorite Christmas Tunes. They are in NO particular order. Comment with your favorite Christmas tune or any I may have missed.

1. The Temptations- "Silent Night" (1980)

   

   
   

   A Black Christmas is NOT complete and cannot start of properly without the Classic, Holy, Soulful "Silent Night," provided to us by Motown's historic, iconic male group "The Temptations." While some households are starting the holidays with the colonized version of "Silent Night," A Black househould is playing this in commemoration of not only the Birth of Christ, but family, peace, and joy, even though we might be a big dysfunctional. The Temptations' "Silent Night," is a must on your Christmas Playlist. The Temptations intitially released a more traditional version on their 1970 Christmas album "The Temptations Christmas Card." However in 1980 The Temptations recorded a more churchy, soulful. This version from "Give Love at Christmas" is the version prevails. Although The Temptations' "Silent Night" is on of the most played holiday songs, it has never charted on the Billboard Hot 100 as of the time of this blog post.

2. Whitney Houston "Joy to the World" from "The Preacher's Wife" Soundtrack (1996)

First off, Rest in Peace to THE VOICE, Whitney Houston! Her legacy still reigns among us! No holiday is complete with the the whole "The Preacher's Wife" Soundtrack. Let's admit Georgia Mass Choir, Kirk Franklin, Babyface, Faith Evans, et al mixed with the anointed voice of God, Whitney Houston conjured a soundtrack that reigns supreme in the Black Christian household. Whitney Houston and the Georgia Mass Choir delivers an up-tempo, sanctified offering of "Joy to the World." If you've seen the movie then you'd know Black joy of that scene!

3. Whitney Houston & Richard Smallwood "I Love the Lord" from "The Preacher's Wife Soundtrack (1976/1996)

I would feel rather remiss if I didn't include this gem of "I Love the Lord." With Richard Smallwood's foundation laid in 1976 with The Union Temple Young Adult Choir, Whitney takes the torch and presses it further in this stirring, holy spirit lead hymn of worship! Clips have surfaced online showing how God herself showed up during the making of "The Preacher's Wife."

4. Donny Hathaway "This Christmas" (1970)

   
   

   

   Another Black Christmas Anthem is none other than the late Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas." This Christmas hit was intentionally set to be a Black Christmas anthem!!! According to and Andscape Article via Ric Powell Donny Hathaway set intentions on "This Christmas" being a Black Holiday Anthem that would stand the test of time. Check out the full article here . I have even partook of His Duet of "This Christmas" with daughter, Lalah Hathaway, who is a musical Goddess of her own!!! "This Christmas" is a song that encompasses the focus of holiday season: Love, Peace, Hope, & Joy.

5. TLC-"Sleigh Ride" (1993)

   

   TLC: (pictured left to right) T-Boz, Left Eye, Chilli

   Another Black Holiday Classic ( Yes Gen X and Millennials I said classic) that's a must have is TLC's "Sleigh Ride" from the compilation album "A LaFace Family Christmas." This album featured "The Christmas Song" with Toni Braxton, "Silver Bells" With a Few Good Men and some Christmas goodies from few other familiar artists (Click the underlined links both bold and regular font). Many holidays since '93 has this good bop been in rotation. A regular fave for us true TLC fans.

6. Sounds of Blackness -"Soul Holidays"(1992)

   
   

   

   Growing up in my household the Gospel, inspirational group "Sounds of Blackness" was a staple in my household. Ya Girl grew up singing their hit "I Believe" with legend Ann Nesby on the lead. "Sounds of Blackness" dropped "Soul Holidays" in 1992 on the album"The Night Before Christmas-A Musical Fantasy." The music video is full, family imagery and of course that good old Gospel sound. I'll let the video speak for itself after the punctuation!

7. Eartha Kitt "Santa Baby" (1953)

   
   

   

   I would be totally disavowed by community if I didn't add the Iconic Eartha Kitt's Christmas signature "Santa Baby." Penned by Joan Havits and Philip Springer, this tongue in cheek hit, has stood the test of time. The lyrics paint the perfect picture of a free spirited young lady who wants all of the material things for Christmas or perhaps a sugar baby enchanted by her benefactor. This sexy Christmas tune is for all of us Divas out there!!!

8. Destiny's Child "8 Days of Christmas" (2001)

Before the Christmas Playlist Brigade comes and eviscerates my holiday spirit, I must include "Destiny's Child" and the up-beat "8 days of Christmas." Beyoncé, Kelly and Michelle served up Christmas as only they could on the Album "8 Days of Christmas." Doesn't it feel like Christmas?

9. Luther Vandross "Every Year, Every Christmas" (1995)

The dearly beloved ancestor, Luther Vandross and Richard Marx but their stamp on "Every Year, Every Christmas." Hailing from the "This is Christmas" album "Every Year, Every Christmas" is on that list of Christmas songs that have you longing for that one person that you've had to part ways with. This song will touch the heart and pull those heart strings of those who my find themselves romantically alone for the holidays. However, this is a staple that only Luther Vandross could croon with such elegance.

10. The Emotions- "What Do the Lonely Do At Christmas" (1973)

    

The Emotions perfectly captured the one aspect no one talks about: Being alone or lonely during Christmas. For those are single or going through a major change in relationships, Christmas can be a difficult holiday to get through and it makes one question "What do I do for Christmas." This song is only for that brief moment where we feel left out of the holiday spirit. Remember this is just a list.

11. Ella Fitzgerald -Frosty The Snowman (1960)

    

Ella Fitzgerald's "A Swinging Christmas" has brought me joy every since I was a child. Growing up in a musical household, exposed me to so much more than just Gospel and R&B, but jazz has a must have in my househould. It's something about the grace and eloquence that Ella Fitzgerald possessed. Her touch to the classic story "Frosty the Snowman" brings forth an unmatched Christmas spirit.

12. 
    

    Mariah Carey "All I Want for Christmas"(1994

    

    Christmas playlists would Not be complete if I did not include the Queen of Christmas herself, Mariah Carey. Since 1994 Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You," has helpd it's on right along with Bing Crosby's "The Christmas Song." Need I say more?

now I know that there's a lot of other songs I could've included, but I didn't want this post to drag on...Drop in the comments your go to Christmas song.

Merry Christmas Fam!!!