Whitney Houston's version

My favorite Christmas carol of all time has to be "Do You Hear What I Hear?", written by Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne Baker in 1962, during the thirteen days that made up the Cuban missile crisis. This accounts for the song's tendency to return again and again to the concept of praying for peace, and according to its creators, neither of them could make it all the way through it for a while without becoming emotional.

It's a stirring, slow build of a song with a melody that's both haunting and beautiful, firing the imagination to picture the wonder and awe of any single human being when faced with a religious revelation. It's a song of peace and hope, and as such, has been sung and re-sung by dozens of recording artists in the past 48 years.

The most famous version is Bing Crosby's, but other excellent versions come from Sufjan Stevens, Glen Campbell, Bob Dylan, Copeland, The Carpenters, the United States Air Force Symphony Orchestra, and the original performers, the Harry Simeone Chorale. I have a really hard time choosing a favorite version, so go find your own.

Matthew Keever: George Strait, "When It's Christmas Time in Texas"

Shea Serrano: "Jingle Bell Rock"

Billy Idol's version

Oh, Jesus. I don't think I've ever been particularly enthralled by any one Christmas song. When I was in 7th grade, I was singled out to play "Silent Night" on a recorder in front of my music class by the knock-kneed music teacher that I'm almost certain hated me. Ever since then, I guess I've been partial to that one. But my sons right now are crazy for "Jingle Bell Rock," so I hear that one all goddam day. I guess that song wins by default.

Brittanie Shey: Pretenders, "2,000 Miles"/ Wham, "Last Christmas"

I hate Christmas music, but if I were tied over a BBQ spit I'd have to say "2,000 Miles" or "Last Christmas" by Wham!. Don't front.

William Michael Smith: Willie Nelson, "Pretty Paper"