Music connected to memories, center on Christ and invoke the Christmas spirit are why students say they get on their play lists
With Christmas fast approaching, BYU–Hawaii students and alumni shared their favorite songs centered around the holiday season. Reasons to love their favorite Christmas songs included nostalgia for their childhood, reminders of the miracle of Jesus Christ’s birth and the way the tunes helped people feel the Christmas spirit.
Brandt Shortland, a senior majoring in social work from New Zealand, said his favorite Christmas song is “Rivers of Babylon” by Boney M., because it is a song his family plays every year during the holidays. He said he feels grateful for it because it helps him to remember significant events, struggles, pain and the eventual triumph of the Israelites in their Babylonian exile.
Taylor Wagner, from Colorado and a senior majoring in business, said his all-time favorite Christmas song is “Oh Holy Night.” He said this song helps him to be calmer and feel at peace because of its soothing sound and lyrics. “It makes me think of Jesus Christ and what He has done for mortality,” he said.
Hannz Jayme Leduna, a senior majoring in political science from the Philippines, said her favorite Christmas song is “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.” She said it became her favorite song because it is a yearly tradition in the Philippines to start celebrating Christmas as early as September. Leduna said it reminds her how Filipinos are excited for the holiday even though it is far from December, and she added the song has the same effect on her. It is a time when she prepares and buys Christmas presents for her relatives and friends, she said.
Addison Allred, a senior majoring in social work from Virginia, said her favorite Christmas song is “O Holy Night” covered by Bien. “I love this song because it reminds me of the power and purpose of Christmas,” she said. She said the lines, “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,” bring to her mind images of colored lights on houses, families gathered together, laughter and a reminder of how the birth of Jesus Christ made all their joy possible.
Ammon Hetaraka Chan Boon, a junior from Australia majoring in social work and psychology, said his favorite Christmas song is “Feliz Navidad.” He said this song is his family’s jam at home, where a single strum of the guitar will trigger everyone in his family to sing together. He said this song sets and lights up the mood for everyone and reminds him of memories with his family.
Cynthia Uvang Snelson, a sophomore majoring in TESOL from Malaysia, said her favorite Christmas song is “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey. She said she loves the song because of its jolly beats that makes her want to dance and sing. She said her experiences of singing and dancing with her mom while they decorated their Christmas tree made her appreciate the song more and be super happy for the holidays.
Zavion Hubbell, a community member from Laie, said his favorite Christmas song is “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” covered by Idina Menzel and Michael Bublé. He said this song is not usually played or heard in his neighborhood because it is more of a love song related to Christmas, rather than a Christmas song for families.
Jatin Narayan, a junior majoring in information technology and political science from Fiji, said “Jingle Bells” is his favorite Christmas song. “It is catchy and has a joyful melody, with an upbeat tempo and repetitive tune, which makes it instantly recognizable and perfect for a sing-along,” he said. Narayan added the song carries a strong sense of nostalgia, as it has been a staple of the holiday season for generations and is often sung in festive gatherings. He said it is a universal theme for sleigh rides and winter fun, along with its simple lyrics that gives it a wide appeal, making it very enjoyable for all people. He said whenever he hears the song, it is not hard for him to feel a rush of joy and excitement and sing along with other people.
Andino Bima Mahreza, an alumnus from Indonesia, said his favorite Christmas song of all time is also “Jingle Bells.” He said the song brought him much joy and happiness every time he listened to it. He said the rhythm of the song tells him that Christmas is a time where friends and family gather and enjoy and have fun.
Ian Carroll, a senior majoring in clinical psychology from Waianae, Hawaii, said he has two favorite Christmas songs, the first is titled, “When Christmas Comes” from his favorite childhood Christmas movie, “The Polar Express.” He said this movie is a yearly tradition for his family where they all watch it together and added it embodies the spirit of Christmas.
Carroll said his second favorite Christmas song is the hymn “Silent Night.” He said this song reminded him of a devotional in the Missionary Training Center where it was mentioned that the greatest miracle that happened occurred on a silent night. He said listening to the song made him love the lines “Glories stream from heaven afar; Heav’nly hosts sing Alleluia. Christ, the Savior, is born!” where it showed the greatest events and miracles can happen in silence.