One of the reasons I still expand and maintain my own personal CD/MP3 collection is the holiday season, where I want to hear a mix of my favorite Christmas songs I have collected over the years, many that are not on streaming services. Another benefit is that when I put my holiday songs on random play it is more likely one of my favorite recordings will pop up. Of course, a streaming service might make it more likely I would discover something new. But for Christmas, there is a lot to be said for things that are old.
Amidst my collection on some old gospel Christmas collection CD that you can’t even find referenced on the Internet, I have a beautiful version of Mahalia Jackson singing “Silent Night.” There are many lovely versions of the Christmas classic, but hers has become one of my favorites.
Jackson, who was born on October 26, 1911 and passed away on January 27, 1972, is one of the most influential American singers. Her gospel recordings are powerful, both because of her voice and because of her genuine faith. So when she sings about the night Jesus was born, you feel you are there with her, capturing the joy and anguish of the world-shaking birth.
Below, Mahalia Jackson sings “Silent Night,” which was written in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr in Austria.
Wishing everyone happy holidays and an inspiring new year.
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