“Music is the language of the spirit.” – Kahlil Gibran
Music has a way of speaking directly to the heart and soul. It is a universal language – a language that does not need translation in order to be understood. Because it speaks directly to the heart and soul, it can bring people together. In some ways, that is part of what makes it a special way to celebrate the holidays.
In high school, a group of my friends and I went to a local community event to celebrate Christmas: a local chorale concert. It was a chorale group that I had once been affiliated with via their kid’s chorus. It was a perfectly magical night filled with friendship and holiday music from all genres. (While the chorale group was one meant to be doing all the singing…of course us in the audience could not help but sing along occasionally, too. 😉 It also did not hurt that one of our teachers was a singer in the chorale. We ended up singing on stage with the rest of them for the last few songs by the end of the night once we were spotted!)
We could’ve gone to a play or even just hung out at each other’s houses. Instead, we chose music. Because music is an art full of expression and connection. There is an inexplicable joy when listening to music and it is multiplied when you are singing it – especially with others.
Science explains it by way of endorphins and oxytocin, which are released when singing. They help induce elation, reduce stress, and alleviate anxiety. They also help to feel bonded and connected with community.
(Those times you’ve screamed lyrics to your favorite songs with your best friends? It just could be that it is good for the spirit and for the body.)
Without Science to tell us the details as to why, we know that music affects us. Pre-Spotify days, my friends and I all had go-to CDs for particular moods. (Hello, to the original Spotify: the mixed tape. I still have a few ones – perfectly curated – lingering around thanks to my friend Annaliese making them for me to use on my commute during undergrad. Thanks to Spotify we can now have a whole collection of songs for events, moods, or seasons – each in their own playlist. That does not keep me from having my collection of CDs always on hand, however! The millennial in me will never let that go. 😛 ) We can be moved to tears by a song, inspired, elated, or experience any other array of emotions by music, even if there is no lyric.
The joy part of holiday music is… undeniable. While I do know a few in the I Hate Christmas Music camp, I cannot wrap my head around it. For me, It is hard to contain oneself from screaming the lyrics when the first Christmas song of the seasons comes on.
The joy is contagious. My dad will come in humming a holiday tune. I am humming – or repeating one line of chorus – while I fill the chicken feeders. Jingle Bells merely has to BEGIN in any store and I am dancing in the aisle. (It is best for everyone that this season only lasts for a short period of time.0
Tis the season! The Spotify wrapped season, that is. Everyone is posting their Spotify wrapped on Instagram these last two weeks. While I do not have the link or photographs of mine (I live one foot in the technological world and one foot in the I Prefer to Be Outside and I Haven’t Updated my IPhone Since IPhone 7 world, be kind) that does not mean we cannot still celebrate music. In honor of the Spotify Wrapped season and the Festive Season – and the magic of music – I thought I would share my holiday playlist.
Last year, I was studying for boards during the holiday season. Between the pandemic and studying for boards you could say things were a little chaotic. Still, I was determined to have fun and get in the festive mood! To procrastinate In my downtime I compiled a massive playlist of favorite holiday songs and artists to have in the background while studying. Some of them were classics, some modern takes on classic songs, and others were original.
Fair warning: the playlist has yet to be thoughtfully arranged. So, I recommend listening to it on shuffle for the full effect. (Also…. There may be more than one occurrence of the Muppets with John Denver. Roll with it.)
This playlist has gotten me through numerous days and evenings of studying, as well as cooking, baking, and gift wrapping. May it either inspire a festive playlist of your own or bring holiday joy through music to your season!
I could not just leave you with my holiday playlist, though. I had to give you some other options. Spotify is full of them! So, here are a few other holiday playlist favorites of mine, compiled by others, that I thought you might enjoy.
- Instrumental Christmas Music – Thees are particularly good for soothing, cozy mornings and evenings or as the perfect background to work / projects.
- Vintage Favorites– Both playlists have some classics that we all know and love as well as some songs I had never heard before, but soon became new favorites. These make me want to dance while I bake. They also make my inner G’ma Katie want to knit while drinking peppermint hot cocoa out of a candy cane mug.
- Vintage Christmas Songs (Classic Holiday Music and Vintage Christmas Carols)
- Vintage Christmas Jazz (Classic Christmas tunes from beloved artists of the past)
- A Vintage Christmas Playlist
- Modern Christmas Playlists– To be honest… any of these make for a great shower playlist, Get Ready for the Day soundtrack, or add some holiday cheer to a morning commute.
What are some of your favorite holiday songs/artists/playlists/CDs?
Don’t forget to sing…. Especially with a friend (even if it is over zoom). 😉
xoxo,
