I love Christmas.

Not as a religious thing; for me it’s a chance to escape the troubles of everyday life and make some happy memories with friends and family. And music has always been a big part of that. Every year, from the day after Thanksgiving up through Christmas Day itself, I put aside my regular playlists and break out my favorite holiday songs, which I’ve accumulated a pretty substantial collection of over the years.

This year, I want to share some highlights of that collection, so I’ll be posting 25 of my favorite holiday songs over the next 25 days. The first one is a recent discovery that I consider a perfect introduction to the season: Christmas Eve by Blackmore’s Night. It’s upbeat, festive, and full of anticipation.

As a bonus, there are actually four versions of this song: the original 2013 version, and then three radio-edited versions in English, German, and an English/German “hybrid”. Try them all and pick your favorite!