In the Bowers household growing up, one of the yuletide mainstays was Alabama’s Christmas album. It boasted such songs as “Santa Claus (I Still Believe),” “Joseph and Mary’s Boy,” and “Tennessee Christmas.” Our favorite tune, however, was “Thistlehair the Christmas Bear.” It’s a story about a bear named Thistlehair who lives in the woods and comes around at Christmastime to tell all the children what Christmas means. Here’s the chorus. I hope it’s as delightful to you as it is to me:

Oh, Thistlehair the Christmas bear
Spreadin’ the good news everywhere
About Christmastime and what it means
To all the children of the world
Every little boy and girl out there
Loves Thistlehair.

Crystal likes to make fun of this song. She thinks that it’s silly to sing a song about a Christmas bear. I can handle it better now, but early on in our marriage it was a touchy subject. In fact, during our first Christmas season as a married couple I played this CD once while Crystal was cutting my hair and actually started crying because of all the nostalgia of it all. Yeah, it’s embarrassing. But that’s okay. Thistlehair understands.

For Crystal’s family, Amy Grant and Point of Grace decked their halls. One of the reasons I’m okay with Crystal making fun of my Alabama Christmas CD is because it gives me some latitude to deride Amy Grant’s album. I realize I may alienate some of you by saying this, but I am of the persuasion that this CD could be erased from the public consciousness and we would all be better off. I cringe every time I hear “My Grownup Christmas List.”

Of course, all of this is in good fun. I’m glad Crystal and I get to share — and laugh about — our favorite Christmas music. We also have some CD’s we both enjoy, like City on a Hill’s “It’s Christmas Time” and the music to “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

What Christmas albums did you grow up with? What are your favorites now?