Why I Listen to Christmas Music in October
Why do I listen to Christmas music on October 1?
Alright, I should be honest. I'm about to confess something that might make some of you angry at me, or at least check the calendar twice. Mark this down: October 1st is when the Christmas music begins for me.
I know, It's early...for most. The pumpkins are barely spiced, and the weather is just barely out of the 90s. But every year, without fail, October is when the Spotify playlist shifts, the carols start humming, and the most wonderful time of the year officially begins in my headphones. We’re not quite decorating (but we’re ready to!)...but the music is playing!
And here’s the thing: it’s not just about tinsel and eggnog (one I despise/one I love). It's about tuning my heart to a richer, deeper truth.
More Than Music
For me, Christmas music isn't just background noise for holiday shopping; it’s a masterclass in theology (the Study of God). These songs, the old hymns and the new arrangements, are steeped in the profound reality of God's redemptive plan. They are a call to worship. They force me to stop and consider the perfect, humble, world-changing gift that we receive in Jesus.
I need the extra time to sit in the deep truths of these songs to remind me of God’s redemptive plan. We all do. The world is a mess, isn't it? It’s a place filled with chaos, brokenness, and tragedy. We’re living in a world that, as the hymn goes, often "mourns in lonely exile here." We are constantly bombarded by the noise of worry and division. What’s interestingly sad is that I’m writing this blog in September 2025, but this paragraph has been true for the last 25 Septembers and will probably be true for the next Septembers to come.
That's why I start early. October 1st gives me three full months to let the truth of the carols soak in, to drown out the noise with a sound that’s far greater. This doesn’t replace my need for prayer or daily time soaking in the Scriptures, but these songs draw me in for a deeper time in a deeper way this time of year.
My Soundtrack
What are some of my favorites? Well, let me tell you, there are a few that just absolutely nail my need in this season.
First up, The Worship Initiative Christmas albums and “Songs of Advent”. They take the familiar, old hymns and strip them down to their glorious, worshipful core. When you hear those arrangements of "O Holy Night," “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus,” or "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," it’s not just a song; it’s an invitation to kneel. It’s a moment to meditate on the promise:
"O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear. REJOICE!"
It’s a reminder that God came for us in our exile. To take it a step further, Shane and Shane have a song entitled “Born to Die.” Taking us from our awareness of God’s rescue from exile and pointing us to his rescue plan.
“When the Babe was born, in a manger in the hay. God saw a veil torn, He saw Good Friday. He was born to die.”
And then there's Lauren Daigle. Her voice carries a beautiful blend of reverence and grit, and her Christmas work often captures the quiet wonder of the Incarnation—the moment God stepped into human history. “Come and see what God has done! NOEL!”
But if I could point to one song that embodies the why of starting early, it’s "How Many Kings?" by Downhere. This song cuts straight to the heart of the Gospel with laser-like precision:
"How many kings stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?"
The answer, of course, is only one King. For me and for you!
Jesus didn't just rule from a distance; He "made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" (Philippians 2:7, NIV). He abandoned the unimaginable glory of heaven to be born as a vulnerable child, all to ultimately die for us. That is the theology of Christmas. That is the perfect gift.
Three Months to Prepare
Starting October 1st isn’t a rush to the finish line of December 25th. It’s a marathon of meditation. It's a conscious decision to anchor my soul in the truth of the Incarnation of Jesus for a longer season.
This music is more than just festive; it’s an act of spiritual discipline. It pushes back against the commercial hustle and bustle and recenters my perspective on the manger, the cross, and the empty tomb—which are all connected in this miraculous story.
So, when you see me in October, humming "Joy to the World," don't pity my eagerness or accuse me of “forgetting Thanksgiving”. Join me! Don't wait for the calendar to tell you it's time to remember the reason for the season. Let's start now, and let this glorious, theologically rich music tune our hearts to worship the one true King who left His throne for us. 84 days til Christmas!!