Best Christmas Albums of All Time

Advent begins on Sunday, December 1, marking the official beginning of the Christmas season, and thus marking the official (and only appropriate) time to listen to Christmas music.
Below is my completely objective and  accurate listing of the best Christmas albums of all time.

10. Songs for Christmas (2006) by Sufjan Stevens. The Michigan singer-songwriter book-ends this list with his spectacular 50-song box set of Christmas standards and weird originals. Horns, guitars, out-of-tune pianos, and titles such as "Get Behind Me, Santa!" and "Did I Make You Cry on Christmas Day? (Well, You Deserved It!)" make this a true Christmas top-tenner.
9. Holidays Rule (2012) by Various Artists. There was a time when Starbucks sold compact discs. You could walk into the local coffee shops in December and buy this outstanding compilation (I bought my copy at the Geneva Road and Schmale Starbucks in Wheaton). Calexico, Andrew Bird, and particularly Eleanor Friedbergers' "Santa, Bring My Baby Back (To Me)" are memorable.
8. A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra (1957) by Frank Sinatra. Old Blue Eyes sings the standards with his timeless charm and style. Pour yourself a toddy and settle in by the fire.
7. White Christmas (1986) by Bing Crosby. For Eisenhower-era nostalgia, nothing beats Bing singing "White Christmas."
6. A Christmas Gift for You (1963) by Various Artists. Phil Spector produced this spectacular compilation of secular Christmas songs featuring Darlene Love, the Ronette's, and Spector's iconic wall-of-sound. Amazing.
5. Elvis' Christmas Album (1957) Elvis Presley. At the height of his popularity, Elvis released this exceptional Christmas compilation, giving some shake and rockabilly swivel to Christmas standards.
4. Christmas (1989) by Michael W. Smith. As the "Overture/Come All Ye Faithful" transitions into the quiet beauty of "Lux Venit," one forgets that this incredible Christmas album is orchestrated by a pop artist little known outside of Christian contemporary music circles. I'm usually blubbering by the time "All is Well" rallies for its resounding finale. Wonderful.
3. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. Complex, iconic, and memorable even to those who can't make the association to Charlie Brown. Pianist Vince Guaraldi's brilliant album strikes all the right chords, from the child-like innocence of "Christmastime is Here" to the lovely cascades of "Skating."
2. A Very Special Christmas (1987) by Various Artists. I remember my older sister buying this album in late-fall, 1987. I had already fallen in love with U2, whose "Baby Please Come Home" provides a steady center, but soon fell in love with Run D.M.C.'s "Christmas in Hollis," perhaps the best Christmas rap of all time.
1. Silver and Gold (2012) by Sufjan Stevens. Breathtakingly beautiful, this stunning collection of nearly 60 songs is the gold standard of original Christmas music (supplemented by a smattering of traditional carols). This album has been a part of our Else Family Christmas Playlist for seven years. "Justice Delivers Its Death" is one of my favorite songs of all time, regardless of season or genre.

Bonus-Favorite Christmas Singles:
5. "River" by Kurt Elling. The jazz singer absolutely crushes this beautiful Joni Mitchell classic.
4. "Little Drummer Boy" by David Bowie and Bing Crosby. An unlikely duet resulting in an enthralling rendition of the classic.
3. "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" by Wizzard. Go ahead and look up this fascinating 1973 "hit" on YouTube. Don't be afraid.
2. "Do They Know It's Christmas" by Band Aid. This iconic Christmas hit has been playing steadily since its debut in 1984.
1. "Fairytale of New York" by Rostam. The former Vampire Weekend multi-instrumentalist covers The Pogues' unlikely Christmas classic with aplomb. You might want to preview this one before letting the kids listen in.