What are your favourite Christmas songs? For Hillsong's Taya Smith, her top five Christmas carols always bring back fond memories of her childhood and highlight the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
Here are her top five songs, and the reasons behind her choices:
1. Little Drummer Boy – Mandisa
"One of my favourite Christmas carols since I was a little kid; it has rhythm, energy. This is my favourite version to date - we used this arrangement in our Christmas Spectacular last year. It was a rich, full sound with lots of vocalists on the platform with 4 part harmonies," shared Taya.
2. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Coldplay
"This arrangement is sweet, simple and not overcomplicated, just piano and vocal. I love Chris Martin's honest, emotive vocal," she gushed.
3. Sleigh Ride – Leroy Anderson / Jingle Bells Fantasy
"This instrumental arrangement was always playing as my sisters and I danced around the dining room table as mum fixed the Christmas tree decorations. She always re-arranged the decorations after we had placed them on the tree the night before ... always!" she laughingly recalled.
4. All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
"My first christmas gig, 'Carols by Candlelight,' and a singer had pulled out. So I sat in my music teacher's car, listened to it for the first time and 15 minutes later I was performing it live in front of my hometown. Whilst I didn't follow the exact vocal arrangement - let's be honest, her raves are ridiculous - it is SO much fun to sing, a classic!" said Taya.
5. O Holy Night
"I don't have a particular favourite arrangement of this carol but there's something about the lyrics that get me every time," she admitted. "The words always reminds me of the holiness of Christmas; the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ."
Hillsong United is a worship band. During the Gospel Music Association's 45th Annual Dove Awards last October 7, the band took home five Doves including artist of the year and song of the year for "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)."