October 1? November 1? The day after Thanksgiving? December 1? When do you begin listening to Christmas music? The debate rages!

No one knows the actual date of Jesus’ birth. God has kept that a mystery. The celebration of Christmas on December 25 was decided by Pope Julius I during the 6th century to coincide with pagan celebration of the winter solstice. Therefore, I like to listen to Christmas music throughout the year, it increases my chances of actually celebrating the actual date of His birth.

Let me clarify. I listen to Christmas hymns throughout the year. Why shouldn’t I invite others to “come and adore Him” throughout the year. Who says I can’t proclaim “Glory to the newborn King” in the middle of summer as well as a cold night in December. As Christians, shouldn’t we constantly, “Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ was born?” The truth “Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day to save us all from Satan’s power when we had gone astray” is just as true  in March as it is on December 25. Probably more true since many scholars believe he was born in the Spring.

So I give you permission to sing “Joy to the World” throughout the year. I encourage you to echo in your delight, “Gloria, in excelsis Deo” in September. I think Christ’s Birth affords us the freedom to sing Christmas music whenever we like with no judgment or condemnation. So I’m going to sing my favorite Christmas Hymn, “O Holy Night” whenever I please. Because when you know Christ as Savior, every night is Holy!

What is your favorite Christmas song and when do you begin singing it?