The Best Christmas Carol Ever
By Onyinyechi U.
Music Sheets and Christmas Decorations, Top View by pixelshot Created in Canva
Personally, I love Christmas music. As soon as Thanksgiving is over, I start playing my holiday songs as I do my homework. Because we all enjoy it so much, debates frequently erupt with my family over what is the best Christmas music. Is it one of my mom’s favorite hymns, my brother’s quiet instrumentals, my church’s contemporary songs, or the unrivaled acapella version of “Mary, Did You Know?” performed by Pentatonix? The answer is fairly obvious in my humble opinion, but I decided to turn to NorthStar Academy for confirmation. I asked five students about their favorite Christmas carols and what types they generally preferred: old-fashioned or modern, Christian or secular.
Most of the students picked older Christian hymns as their favorite carols, such as “Joy to the World” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” Almost all of them felt personal connections to their favorite carols. For example, a student’s family history was intertwined with the song “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”: “During World War II, my great-grandpa was in the war. My great-grandma listened to this song during Christmas time because she wished her husband could come home for Christmas. Even though I did not know her, I feel sort of connected to the song because of that.” Another appreciated “Away in the Manger,” having sung it in a church choir.
Afterward, I asked them if they preferred older or newer music. The answer was generally the same: “A mix of both is necessary.” Contemporary works can be more catchy: “A lot of modern Christmas songs are more upbeat and fun compared to older Christmas songs.” On the other hand, the lyrics of older music can be deep and beautiful. Both types, as one student noted, are “nostalgic” and pleasant.
Finally, I wondered: did they prefer Christian music or secular music? Answers were mixed. Some of them preferred Christian music, but all agreed that both kinds of music could be enjoyed. One summarized: “I think the whole point of Christmas is to celebrate Christ, so I prefer the Christian music. Having said that, I love a good Christmas song even if it isn't Christian.”
Somewhat to my disappointment, not one of the students mentioned the famous “Mary, Did You Know?” as the best song, but I did enjoy learning more about their favorite types of Christmas music. At the end of the day, all these songs should remind us of the true Gift–Jesus, who came to earth to save us. Merry Christmas, and I hope you enjoy some great music this season!
Columns: 🧑🚀NSA Culture, 🗓️Seasonal
Onyinyechi U. is a senior living in Pennsylvania with her parents and one of her two siblings. This is her fifth year at NSA and her third on the Navigator. In 2025, she made her debut as an author with The Journey, a collection of Christian poems. In her free time, she enjoys listening to classical music.