A Green and Red Christmas - The Muppets

Although I prefer the classic John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together, A Red and Green Christmas is an upbeat holiday album that should please those who can't get enough of Jim Henson's brilliant creations.

Christmas Eve and Other Stories - Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Trans-Siberian Orchestra is associated almost exclusively with Christmas, and Christmas Eve and Other Stories is the album that started that association, particularly Christmas Eve / Sarajevo 12/24. They're known for their electrified arrangements of traditional carols, though my favorite track on the album is the unplugged original, Old City Bar.

Christmas Like a Lullaby - John Denver

John Denver is pretty much my favorite solo artist ever, so it caught me by surprise to discover Christmas Like a Lullaby, an album whose existence had escaped my attention for well over a decade. Though I prefer his two other Christmas albums, A Christmas Together (with the Muppets) and Rocky Mountain Christmas, this one is good too, especially the title track and The Children of Bethlehem.