A Classical Christmas Playlist for a Quiet and Meaningful Season
I’m going to say something that might make me a grinch…or a scrooge…or get me canceled all together.
I really don’t love Christmas music. I don’t like the jingles. I opt to not put on carols… Please stay with me.
Christmas music has a way of shaping the atmosphere of our homes. My kids love Christmas carols, so I play them, because I love my kids. But I really love music that calls me in closer- steadier pieces that invite us to slow down, breathe, and remember why this season matters. Classical works can do that well.
If you’re looking to add depth to your December listening—whether for homeschooling, morning time, or your own quiet moments—this playlist offers a gentle path. These pieces carry the story of Christmas through choral beauty, sacred texts, and instrumentals that steady the heart.
Handel: Messiah
You don’t need the full three hours to experience its richness. A few movements are enough to shift the mood in your home.
“For Unto Us a Child Is Born” brings a bright, confident tone.
“Pastoral Symphony” offers something peaceful for early mornings.
“He Shall Feed His Flock” settles the listener into a posture of rest.
Bach: Christmas Oratorio
Bach wrote this to be sung across the Christmas season.
“Jauchzet, frohlocket” is joyful without becoming noisy.
“Schlafe, mein Liebster” feels like a lullaby for the world.
Two Settings of Ave Maria
Both Schubert’s and Bach/Gounod’s versions carry a reflective tone. These work well during a quiet afternoon or while lighting the Advent candles.
O Magnum Mysterium – Morten Lauridsen
This choral work feels like the heart of Christmas: hushed, reverent, and full of wonder.
Hodie Christus Natus Est – Poulenc
A brighter piece that still holds the importance of the season. Good for mornings when you want energy without the chaos.
Vaughan Williams
“Fantasia on Christmas Carols” and “Fantasia on Greensleeves” carry English folk warmth. They suit baking days, craft days, or any moment when you want a peaceful backdrop.
Britten: A Ceremony of Carols
The harp and treble voices give this a distinctive sound. It feels like early winter: cold edges with moments of clear beauty.
Bach: “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”
Simple. Steady. Grounding. Honestly just what we need sometimes. It’s a helpful way to restore calm on busy days.
Vivaldi: Magnificat
A few movements pair well with Advent readings or candlelit evenings.
Elgar: The Snow
Gentle strings, soft choral lines—perfect for watching the weather change from the window.
John Rutter: “Shepherd’s Pipe Carol”
Light and cheerful without slipping into kitsch.
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Christmas Overture
Festive and uplifting, yet still rooted in classical form.
Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite
By this point in December I’m over Nutcracker. My daughter has been listening to it since her audition in August, but it deserves to me added. You know these pieces well, but they remain fresh each year. Choose just a few—“Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” or “Waltz of the Flowers.”
Holst: “In the Bleak Midwinter”
A carol that captures longing and hope in equal measure.
Howells: A Spotless Rose
Short, stunning, and deeply contemplative.
Bach: “Sleepers, Wake!”
Bright and expectant. A good piece for the first or second week of Advent.
Jirí Ropek: Meditation on the Old Czech Carol “Good King Wenceslas”
A thoughtful organ meditation that works well as evening music.
Vivaldi: Winter from The Four Seasons
A familiar way to close a December playlist. It carries the bite of cold air with moments of warmth tucked inside.
How to Use This Playlist in Your Home
Morning Time: Pick one or two pieces each week and let children sit with them. Short exposure done consistently works better than long listening sessions.
Quiet Afternoons: Instrumental selections help settle younger children and create a sense of peace without making the house silent.
Advent Sundays: Choose a choral work like O Magnum Mysterium or “In the Bleak Midwinter” to accompany candle lighting or Scripture readings.
Your Own Evenings: Let the slower pieces—Lauridsen, Howells, or Bach—become part of your end-of-day ritual.
Classical Christmas music doesn’t ask for much. It simply gives you room to breathe and space to remember the story you’re living. If you want to get access to the playlist, just click the button below.
Enjoy, friends!
