I enjoy “Christmas music” just fine, but what I really love are “Christmas carols”, which aren’t really the same thing (or more properly, carols are a tiny subset of Christmas music).
I like my Christmas music more traditional and preferably with a massive dose of pagan syncretism, you know, the way Christmas is supposed to be.
My favorite is The Holly and the Ivy.
The holly and the ivy,
now both are full well grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
the holly bears the crown.
Oh, the rising of the sun
and the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry organ,
sweet singing in the choir.
The holly bears a blossom
as white as lily flower,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
to be our sweet saviour
Oh, the rising of the sun
and the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry organ,
sweet singing in the choir.
The holly bears a berry
as red as any blood,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
to do poor sinners good.
Oh, the rising of the sun
and the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry organ,
sweet singing in the choir.
The holly bears a prickle
as sharp as any thorn,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
on Christmas Day in the morn.
Oh, the rising of the sun
and the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry organ,
sweet singing in the choir.
The holly bears a bark
as bitter as any gall,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
for to redeem us all.
Oh, the rising of the sun
and the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry organ,
sweet singing in the choir.