Various Artists

The roots of many of today’s most recognizable traditional carols run deep into the heart of the sacred polyphony and secular folk music of the Renaissance. So it’s little wonder that the Narada sampler The Best of Celtic Christmas feels so warmly familiar. From the gentle holiday reel of the Boys of the Lough’s “The Mummer’s Jig/Christmas Eve” to the sublime harmonies of “Nowel: Owt of your slepe aryse” from the medieval chant/early-music ensemble the Anonymous 4, Celtic Christmas is an intricately wrapped treasure.