From the Blue Ridge in Virginia to the Highlands of Scotland, and all across the world, people celebrate the holiday season with music. Here are several ways to do that you may not  have heard.

Robin and Linda Williams are up along that Blue Ridge. Folk, Americana, and country all find their way into the music they offer on The First Christmas Gift, along with a carol or two and original music of their own. Take a listen to  Linda’s true story of a Christmas ornament you would not expect on Shotgun Shells on a Christmas Tree, a fun look at the holiday in Together All Alone, and fine harmonies on Rise Up Shepherds and Follow.

Bill Miller is Native American, of the Menomonee people of Wisconsin. There is a Native American legend about a star in the east in winter, which some call the Star of the Morning, and others see as the Star of Bethlehem. Miller brings his flute and Native chant and  melody into his favorite Christmas songs, among them Joy to the World and O Holy Night. There are original pieces as well, including  Cedar, Sweetgrass, and Sage, and the title track, A Sacred Gift.

Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum also bring in traditional and original music to their recording Winter’s Grace. Drawing on their backgrounds in bluegrass and folk music,  they look at darker and lighter sides of winter with If We Make It Through December, Earth Moves in Mysterious Ways, Hot Buttered Rum, and Christmas Time’s A-Comin’.

Fiona J. Mackenzie is based in the highlands of Scotland, where Scottish Gaelic is a living language. You do not have to understand it though to appreciate the beauty and laughter of the songs she offers on the two disc set Duan Nollaig/ A Gaelic Christmas. Some you will know by their melodies -- Christ Child Lullabye, for example, and Silent Night -- while others may be new to you. Hymns, carols, and songs of the fun of the season are all present. There’s a Gaelic version of She’ll be Comin’ Round the Mountain which is sure to have you tapping your feet, and you’ll likely enjoy We Made a Snowman Today even if you don’t quite know all the words.

Steve Wariner sticks with classics on Guitar Christmas. It is just that, a master guitar player bringing out many of his favorite guitars for creative  arrangements of Deck the Halls,  White Christmas, and It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, and other seasonal favorites.

Cherish the Ladies look at the holiday season with an Irish and Irish American angle for their album A Star in the East. There are songs, tunes, and even a bit of spoken word poetry in the mix. There’s a lively set which begins with Joanie Madden’s original tune A Dash for the Presents, inspired by her watching her nieces and nephews on Christmas morning. It’s a tune that flows naturally into the carol Joy to the World. There’s a fine take on The First Noel, and the always funny tale of Home in Time for Christmas as well, along with a reading from Irish poet Patrick Kavanagh, which flows naturally in to the song of Christmas hope In the Bleak Midwinter.

Kerry Dexter is the Music Editor for Wandering Educators.

Kerry’s work has appeared in VH1, CMT,Strings, Symphony, The Encyclopedia of Ireland and the Americas, and other publications. She also writes about the arts and creative practice at http://www.musicroad.blogspot.com Music Road. You may reach her at music at wanderingeducators dot com.