Rick Hamlin’s Favorite Christmas Songs

Jesus was born in the city of Bethlehem over two thousand years ago and in honor of that, I thought it would be fun to travel around another city and sing the songs that remind us of His coming. All of these videos were filmed in New York City, many close to our Guideposts editorial offices. No matter where we were, on Wall Street, in bustling subway stations, by busy stores, at the South Street Seaport, in the shadow of City Hall, it was fun to lift up our voices to spread the good news. May these songs remind you of the coming of Jesus wherever you are. The good news is here!

 

Day 27

Ty’Ann Brown from OurPrayer and Rick Hamlin wish you a very, very, very Merry Christmas!

Day 26

“Fall on your knees. O, hear, the angels’ voices. O night divine, O night when Christ was born.”

Day 25

“What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part. What I can I give him, give him my heart.”

Day 24

“Where the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even.”

Day 23

“This, this is Christ the King whom shepherds guard and angels sing…”

Day 22

“There a mother laid her baby in a manger for a bed” in front of the Stock Exchange in New York City.

Day 21

We filmed this in Times Square to the joyous refrain of honking horns.

Day 20

“And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strain” with birds in the trees that fly like angels.

Day 19

“In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas…” in Times Square.

Day 18

“Good tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy…”

Day 17

“The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing.”

Day 16

“Hush, hush, beautiful is the mother. Hush, hush, beautiful is the child.”

Day 15

“Ox and ass before him bow, he is in a manger now.”

Day 14

Where better to sing about kings bringing gold, frankincense and myrrh than on Wall Street?

Day 13

Joanne and I sang together a lot in a New York City Gilbert & Sullivan group. This song feels like one big Christmas card.

Day 12

The American minister Phillips Brooks wrote this after a visit to the Holy Land in 1865. I’m singing it here in the Fulton Street Transit Center.

Day 11

Alisa Bair, again at the keyboard, suggested this wonderful contemporary song. My favorite line: “Bring your peace into our violence…”

Day 10

A Negro spiritual and classic, it reminds us all just who to follow.

Day 9

These words by Charles Wesley seemed just right to sing near St. Paul’s Chapel, the oldest church building in the city. It miraculously survived 9-11.

Day 8

Some carols are perfect for walking. Here, I’m singing near City Hall in downtown New York City.

Day 7

Alisa Bair introduced me to this great reminder of what Christmas is all about. She’s the genius at the keyboard.

Day 6

This escalator on Fulton Street was just long enough for one verse of the most joyous of carols. I had to sing it FAST.

Day 5

It’s probably beginning to look a lot like Christmas in your neighborhood. My friend Joanne and I are trying to figure out what to do with this wreath.

Day 4

There are always ships at South Street Seaport, although I’m not sure any of them are sailing to Bethlehem.

Day 3

I’m singing in the middle of Wall Street. That’s old Trinity Church in the background.

Day 2

We haven’t had any snow yet, so I figured I’d better start dreaming and praying. (When it comes, I’ll probably start praying for it to melt!)

Day 1

I sang this in front of the Freedom Tower, as good a place as any to get ready for Christmas.