On Monday, the music industry celebrated the 58th annual Grammy Awards. Artists such as Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar and Meghan Trainor were recognized. But away from the bright lights of the CBS broadcast, another genre known to its fans as a ‘positive alternative’ was paid its due.

Now, I love many of the tracks on Swift’s album of the year “1989,” I find myself dancing to “All About That Bass” at Laker hockey games and “Thinking Out Loud,” which won song of the year, and “Uptown Funk,” which won record of the year, were two of my favorite songs of 2015. But my favorite music is far and away from other genres: Christian.

As an avid Christian concert and music festival attendee, as well as a listener to national radio stations like Air1 and K-Love, I am a self-proclaimed Christian music junkie. I listened to a playlist on Spotify called “Coffee House Chill” by SOZO Playlists while writing this, which I highly recommend for those looking to have a couple relaxing hours with a hot beverage during the cold winters in Oswego.

Most kids brought up going to church on Sundays think of the Christian genre as hymns like “Amazing Grace,” “Be Not Afraid” or “How Great Thou Art” and the ever-popular-vacation Bible School song, “Awesome God.” However, the Christian music scene is bigger than these songs. There are artists in genres from Christian rap to screamo to electronic dance music. The difference between these artists and those usually atop Billboard’s charts is their message.

Christian artists focus on positive messages of love, forgiveness, mercy, grace and faith. The songs, no matter the genre, do center around the teachings of Jesus Christ, yet they feature an even more important teaching of acceptance. Many people view Christians as close-minded Bible thumpers who cast out non-believers and dislike all with different views. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Christian artists sing of a belief that everyone deserves love.

The world is filled with darkness, pessimism and unrest. People are turning away from each other instead of toward each other. Why not give some music with a message of growing together a chance? Here’s a song to start with: “Sisters & Brothers” by Sidewalk Prophets.