Top Catholic Songs – share, learn, promote

Nick Alexander here... Thanksgiving is upon us. Thanksgiving is that rare national holiday where the entire country slows down, celebrates with family, and gives thanks to God, for His provision and kindness. The following is a playlist of the best Thanksgiving songs from Catholic and contemporary Christian artists. Enjoy, and give thanks today.

1. Hallelujah, My Father by Annie Karto from the album Perfect Sacrifice
   
2. Thanksgiving Prayer by Bobby Fisher from the album If We Dare to Hope
   
3. Thanks by Ceili Rain from the album Erasers On Pencils
   
4. Thank You Lord by Denis Grady from the album Running Too Long
   
5. Songs of Thankfulness and Praise by The Festival Choir and Hosanna Chorus from the album 100 Church Classics
6. With All Our Hearts by Jesse Manibusan from the album Love Never Fails
   
7. Father, We Thank Thee by John Angotti from the album Testify
   
8. Thanks and Praise by John Angotti & Meredith Dean Joesph from the album Strong In Faith: Contemporary Songs of Faith
   
9. Give Thanks to the Lord by John Flynn from the album Cry Out
   
10. Jesus Christ, I Think Upon Your Sacrifice (Once Again) by The Kings Chamber Orchestra from the album String Heaven
11. Thank You, Lord by Margo B. Smith from the album Because You Love Me
    
12. Lead Me Home by Matt Maher from the album Welcome to Life
    
13. Thank You for the Blood by Matt Redman from the album The Father's Song
14. Unconditional Love by Nancy Krebs from the album The Journey
    
15. Now Thank We All Our God by National Philharmonic Orchestra of London & The London Philharmonic Choir from the album Hymns Triumphant, Volumes 1 & 2
16. Holy God We Praise Your Great Name by Nick Alexander from the album I Wanna Be Debated
    
17. What Can I Do by Paul Baloche from the album A Greater Song
18. We Plow the Fields by Ralph Carmichael from the album Ahh Capella Hymns
19. Jesus, Thank You by Sovereign Grace Music from the album Worship God Live
    
20. Thank You for Loving Me by Tommy Walker from the album Make It Glorious
    

Nick Alexander here...

When I was nine years old, I had dropped the chance to be Simon.... from Alvin and the Chipmunks.

My family had just moved to New York City, and my mother took a sales job at Macy's. One of the perks of working there is that, every Thanksgiving, you and your family all had to trudge yourself out of bed at three-o-clock in the morning, head over to a decrepid warehouse, one which had been converted into a huge costuming facility, and get yourselves made up into any number of costumes, to march in the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

It was my first time, and I was looking forward to being a clown. We were to march in front of the Muppet bus--the same schoolbus that was in The Muppet Movie. All the muppet characters were inside the bus, looking out, waving to thousands of children on the streets, and millions of viewers in their homes. It was exciting.

But while I waited in line, there was this costume facilitator wandering throughout the lines, calling for anyone to be "Simon". The one who was supposed to be Simon called out sick, and he needed a tall replacement. I happened to have been tall for my age, the perfect height, and so he singled me out. "Wanna be Simon?"

Being my first time, I was confused. I didn't want to separate from my sister, and, well, I was scared. This was uncharted territory. I was trained to be a clown. I could handle being a clown. There were thousands of clowns at this event, and I could smile and be goofy in relative anonymity. But ... a Chipmunk? I'd be the center of attention, (for a little bit), and have to shake hands with tons of children.

The man came to me three times. Three times I refused. I had to be the clown. And to think, for all these years, having memories of being a clown in the parade, I could have been Simon.

So, this Thanksgiving, I thank God for the choices I've faced throughout my life, and the blessings that God had given to me. But many of these same blessings were the result of hard, crazy choices that, had I refused, would never had come again. I've since learned that I have to trust Him, even when presented with a crazy opportunity, knowing that He would be there to bring more blessings from it. Most of my wonderful blessings in life came as a result of trusting God in uncharted territory for me--including converting to the Catholic Church.

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody. Give Thanks to our wonderful Lord, who always has a tremendous plan for your lives, a tremendous crazy opportunity that would mix the best of your talents, the uniqueness of your character, with the needs of the community that you live in. Who raises up incredible saints.

And be sure to check out the Thanksgiving related posts on this board.

Thanksgiving is coming up in a week. If you were to choose your favorite songs that offer Thanks to God, what will they be?