Here we are again... with the third installment of my favorite Christmas songs - at least, what I come up with now.  I'm afraid when it comes to things like favorite songs, I'm fickle - if I try this again next year it might be a quite different list...

Okay, so without further adieu...

Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Bing Crosby & Judy Garland

What do you get when you put two of the greatest singers together with one of the most light-hearted Christmas tunes?  A fun song that hasn't gotten nearly enough airplay.  This song was recorded during the Christmas season of 1950 on "The Bing Crosby Show" and it  features playful patter and and silly antics - and Rudolph, too!  This recording proves why these two have withstood the test of time and are still regarded as two exemplary entertainers.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Johnny Mathis

Nobody sings this song like Mr. Mathis - it's a true Christmas classic.  While it's true the song wasn't written for him (it was intended for Andy Williams), he's made it his own and now it doesn't feel like Christmas without hearing it at least once... or thirty times.

Jingle Bells - Barbra Streisand

This is another traditional song done by a celebrated artist in a most untraditional way.  Why there are so many Jewish singers putting out Christmas albums, I'll never know - but Ms. Streisand's is by far one of the best.  Her version if Jingle Bells is fast... then slow... then fast... then slow... then fast... you get the picture.  While it clocks in at under two minutes, it's got energy to spare - and once you learn to sing it like Babs, you'll never be able to hear it without joining in!

Mary, Did You Know - Kenny Rogers & Wynonna Judd

I was introduced to this song during high school and this was the first version I heard.  One of the more contemporary religious songs on the radio (written in 1984 by Mark Lowry), this one digs into the thoughts that Mary might have been thinking on that night 2000+ years ago when she was holding our Savior in her arms.  I love that it explores Jesus the man and what He did during His short life... and the fact that it's done as a duet doesn't hurt either!

Funky, Funky Christmas - New Kids on the Block

"It's Christmas time, we're gonna celebrate with a rhyme."  This song is one of my Christmas guilty pleasures.  It's no secret that I'm a fan of New Kids on the Block and their Christmas album - this song in particular - is always on my play rotation.  Of course it reminds me of when I was younger, but you really can't deny a song in which Santa raps... can you?