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Christmas Carols – To Sing or Not to Sing
Posted on December 9th, 2008 in Church Life, Faith, Worship Leadership by Fred McKinnon
Hey Folks,
It’s that time of year. Christmas. “It’s the most … wonderful time …. of the year”.
There was some discussion the last couple of days on the “Sunday Setlists” post about the usage of Christmas Carols during corporate worship.
I sort of let the cat out of the bag when I said that I don’t get super excited about doing them. I mean … I love the carols, and enjoy singing them … at parties, at home, in the car, at special “Christmas Eve” services, etc. But when I come to church on a Sunday for corporate worship, I tend to want to sing songs where I feel that I’m connecting with Christ. I want to feel like I’m worshiping God, and not just singing a lullaby story about what He did 2,000+ years ago.
Clearly, this preference can cause issues – lots of people come to church wanting something familiar, something safe, and really can’t think of a better outlet to sing these wonderful songs. But as a Worship Leader who is constantly trying to figure out how to maximize the small amount of time I’m given … I think to myself “OK, so I can sing ‘Away in A Manger’, or I can sing “Mighty to Save’”. I am going to default to “Mighty To Save” every time.
Now – I realize this is my preference. I also have all intentions of singing some Christmas Carols in our corporate worship over the coming weeks.
As I’ve pondered this, I started thinking about the verses in both Ephesians and Colossians where it tells us to “speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs”. The truth is, these songs (most of them) are actually telling a story – of Christ, His birth, His becoming flesh for us. This is doctrine. This is at the very core of our faith. So yeah – maybe I don’t feel like I’m diving deep into vertical worship … but I’m definitely “singing a spiritual song”, and telling a story.
Can’t that be considered worship, too?
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37 Responses to “Christmas Carols – To Sing or Not to Sing”
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I struggle with this, too. I have started creating arrangements like “Holy Is The Lord” with “Joy To The World” and the chorus of “Angels We Have Heard On High.” My struggle is to make is not feel contrived. One of my main goals with our worship community over the past three years has been authenticity. I guess that’s why I struggle at all with Christmas songs; we only whip them out when it suits the season. Can’t we sing Gloria in excelsis Deo” all year long?
JonWesleys last blog post..Back To School
well, I’m kinda with you. I hate Christmas carols, and I really don’t care for them as worship. However, (1) people do like to hear them at Christmas services and (2) there are some that I have found to be more worshipful than others.
I guess the key for me is to try to find fresh arrangements of the songs, and also to pick the songs that are really Christ centered and put them in a place where they lend to the flow of worship. For me I have found some of those to be O Come All Ye Faithful, O Come Emmanuel, What Child Is This, and even some arrangements of Joy To The World.
Some of those also have really profound verses and choruses that we don’t typically sing during the regular holiday caroling.
Sing them in the context of worship – ie. place people in the context of advent and then sing “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” or walk them through the Magnificat and then sing “Joy To The World.”
Don’t forget that Christmas songs (like hymns) may also be bridge-building songs for people who are returning to church and haven’t been since they were kids.
Chriss last blog post..Worship Confessional – Sunday, December 7, 2008
JonWesley,
Yep, that’s part of it, too. Modifying the arrangements and doing creative medleys can help – but then again, I seem to see a “pushback” many times because for once, people just want traditional and familiar.
The way my pastor puts it – “these songs are culture, they are tradition, and not all of that is bad … they are a deep reservoir to people, and they tell our story”.
Though my natural tendency/preference is to want to do more “worship-related” songs, I have to agree with what he says.
Then, I come back and question myself, saying “why don’t I consider those songs ‘worship-related”?
I always stuggle with Christmas songs at church and in years past I really pushed back when we were asked to do them. They are hard to play and even harder to arrange so they play well, sound decent and are easy to follow.
But as I have gotten older I have come to realize they are part of our heritage and tradition and as you said, it is doctrine and communicates the truth of the birth of our Saviour.
I do have an issue with doing songs like “Jingle Bells” during worship. I think that is where I draw the line.
great post bro
Chads last blog post..Loss…
Sing em! As-is or re-arranged. But sing’em with gusto and celebrate what this season is supposed to be about. I think we treat Christmas Carols like we do the “christian only” websites sometimes. We get so “anit-religion” that we throw the baby out with the bath water.
Robert McKinnons last blog post..Ramblings from the air . . .
I’m in charge of the music time for high school and junior high at my church.
Last year I did one Christmas song per week in December, and the last week that we had service I did all Christmas songs. This was my set that last week (December 16):
Christmastime Is Here (yes, the Charlie Brown song), Do You Hear What I Hear (Hangnail’s version), Little Drummer Boy (Aly & AJ’s version), O Come All Ye Faithful (Twisted Sister’s version) and Joy to the World (Third Day’s version mixed with Gary Hoey’s version).
I had a choir of about 10 high school kids (mostly girls) and we had them mic’ed up. I also had a full band: drums, bass, electric, two acoustics, and two lead vocals.
I think it was good, but I’m not sure I want to do it the same way this year…
~JOSh-X
Agree with Chris.
More people that aren’t regular church goers are going to find a familiar comfort in the carols at that time of year when most people who don’t go to church do.
I’m not gonna say that they are the most worshipful songs ever, but at the least, if used in the proper context and with meaningful messages they can be the “moment” that Christ uses to draw someone to Salvation.
That’s pretty powerful stuff, preference or not.
(by the way, I hate Christmas carols…unless they are dark minor and in compound meter)
Russs last blog post..Sunday Setlist [12.07.08]
I think there’s a nice advantage to having such strongly theological songs permeating our everyday culture. Then, to place them back in proper context (the context of the Church, the Bible, the Story of Redemption and Salvation offered to the world) is a wise move on the part of a contemporary church. Many many people will come to church during Christmas that won’t come any other time of the year.
What a better moment to teach and remind them that Christ, though God, came in the Miraculous form of a Man Child. There’s such a mystery to behold. Such power to believe. This is a great reminder for believers and marginal Christians. I wouldn’t want to miss this chance.
Christmas carols were hymns long before they were categorized as carols.
mandythompsons last blog post..If my life was perfect?
We don’t do a lot of Christmas songs until Christmas week. But some of those songs do pack a spiritual punch. “O Holy Night” is one of my favorites, and can bring me to tears when done right.
On the other hand, we had a revival week in August, and the guest minister (who plays a lot of old style southen’ gospel) started weaving Christmas music into his worship – and man did it work!
Chris makes a great point – these songs are familiar to many of the unchurched, who might not know “Mighty to Save” or “How Great is Our God.” And maybe when they sing, it will be that much easier for them to hear.
Mikes last blog post..GLCC’s Got Talent!
Let’s just be real honest. Most worship-leading musicians, and I are one, think that Christmas carols are beneath them musically and stylistically, and in some cases this may be true. However, I must never let my preferences dictate what God wants to use in the worship of our congregation. We musicians need to come to grips with the fact that God may want to use something that we totally can’t stand personally to facilitate the people in their praise of Him. And this is true on either end of the spectrum. For the worship-leading musician, there are some great arrangements from places like praisecharts and the like that keep the traditional melody for the people and really enhance the arrangement for the band. There are also some creative connectors between carols and worship songs that can be done well and creatively. Having Christmas without singing of the birth of Jesus is like having Easter without singing about the cross or the blood of Christ! It ain’t right.
We mix them up with worship choruses. It moves them into the “worship” realm and out of the “carols” box, and it also wakes people up and makes them think about what they’re singing.
Paul J.s last blog post..Free Christmas Song – Heaven In A Manger
As a worship leader and as a worshiper, I love singing Christmas songs in worship services this time of year (as long as it’s not something like “Jingle Bells”!). Musically, I generally prefer more contemporary arrangements, but it’s really more about the lyrical content, right? Like Mike said, many carols are powerful songs in their own right.
Sometimes I have found that by revising older, familiar songs musically, it can cause people to re-discover the power in the lyrics. David Crowder does this regularly with hymns, and I think it works with Christmas music as well.
Christmas carols have their place in church as “The Christmas Concert” usually performed by a group of contemporary worship singers or a chancel choir and orchestra. The carols are fantastic meaningful pieces that should be used appropriately. It is unfortunate when they are used in corporate worship in regular services.
Worshipers – should we sing Christmas Carols in church? Let’s hear from you at http://tinyurl.com/6bl5bp
Worshipers – should we sing Christmas Carols in church? Let’s hear from you at http://tinyurl.com/6bl5bp
[...] FredMcKinnon.Com » Blog Archive » Christmas Carols – To Sing or … [...]
I think it’s scary to think that ANY form of worship “has its place.” We’re not talking “Jingle Bells” or Sants Claus Is Coming To Town.” The gospel is ALWAYS relvant in ALL of it’s forms, and Christmas carols like “God Rest Ye…” or “I Heard The Bells…” should be seen more often.
Nicely put, Jon.
Kit Palmers last blog post..It’s a Conspiracy!
Christmas songs which are focused on Jesus Christ are the greatest worship songs of all, with the possible exception of Easter songs.
Refusing to sing Christmas carols in favor of a “worship song” is to totally miss the point.
Without the birth of Christ, there would BE no worship unless we are Jewish.
WAY too many Christians, in an effort to be “non-commercial” or “non-Santa Clausie”, have totally abandoned the huge celebration that Christmas is. THIS IS OUR CELEBRATION!!! Let’s reclaim it. Let’s celebrate it. Let’s enjoy it. Don’t let ANYONE make you ashamed of the birth of your Saviour. Don’t let anyone tell you that December 25 is not important. Sure, it’s not the actual day, but it’s the day we CELEBRATE. Don’t make it just another day. Allow it to spur you (and every other Christian) to crank it up a notch for Christ.
We’ve downplayed Christmas enough, folks. I’m really tired of Christians being anti-Christmas. I’m not worried about retailers saying “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas”; I’m just really fed up with Christians NOT saying “Christ is born!!!”
It’s about Christ. It’s not about a worship experience. It’s not even about the music. It’s about Christ.
Sing ‘em. Sing ‘em joyfully. Don’t sing ‘em because you’re forced. Sing ‘em because you love the Saviour that they are about. Sing ‘em in worship. You’ve sung Mighty to Save 10 times this year already (just a guess). Sing Joy to the World because JOY HAS COME, and His name is Christ.
Worship the Saviour with songs about Him. It’s not a token gesture when it’s really done from the heart, and it’s obvious. If YOU, as the worship leader, are bored with Christmas songs, trust me – the congregation will know that about two seconds in.
If the birth of the Saviour doesn’t give you a kick in the seat of the worship pants, get on your knees with the Bible and beg God to remind you of the power of the moment when that little baby was born. To remind you that ALL OF HEAVEN – and quite probably all of hell – was watching as Mary was in labor. That prophecies of hundreds of years before were fulfilled in such detail that men are still amazed thousands of years later. To help you remember that GOD HIMSELF entered the womb of a simple woman and became the baby that was born to die. To be reminded that Jesus Christ did this because He wanted to. He ASKED to come to earth. “Father, I’ll go.” That birth was the moment of truth. No birth has changed the course of mankind so drastically. No other birth was for MY redemption. This is the only birth in history – or in the future – where the baby was completely in charge of everything. Pray for these truths to eat at your heart. Pray for them to burn there, because, until it burns there, the Christmas songs will seem to only be a nod to the traditionalists. But they are so much more.
I challenge you, and anyone else, to wrestle with this until Christmas becomes a moment of worship like no other.
Fred, you asked for thoughts – these are mine. God bless ya, bro. I love your heart for Him.
Don’t let Satan whip you on this.
Bernard Shufords last blog post..MySpace is not evil
Bernard,
I love it … thanks a ton!
Brothers,
I am pretty surprised at the venom towards Christmas songs. Clay mentioned how some view Christmas songs as “beneath them” musically or stylistically. Surely not. Many pointed out that there are plenty of Christmas songs that don’t enter the category of “worship” and that is so true. O Christmas Tree, Deck the Halls, and Santa songs permeate the season but they don’t breach the purpose of the season. Additionally, several carols were written by Unitarians who don’t hold to the deity of Christ or our need of him.
HOWEVER, how could we not take joy in pointing out the richness hiding in songs many of our folks already know. I know a lot of musicians are carrying baggage on this one, but I encourage you to step back and look at these songs for their text and singability. They score very high. Why would we not take the time to teach the value of Watts and Wesley’s songs? Take the time to arrange them in a way that serves your congregation, but don’t miss the opportunity to lat songs like “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus,” O Little Town” (not as purely sentimental as you might think), “Joy to the World,” “Hark, the Herald Angels,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” and the original verses of “What Child is This.”
I have found a lot of joy in helping our folks “discover what they already know” in these songs. They become walking treatises on Christmas. The idea of resigning these songs to be sung by others blows my minds. These are the songs we ought to be singing to one another alongside new songs and fresh arrangements. Sometimes, a song can be both sentimental and profound. This is especially true at Christmas.
Bernard and Drew (primarily) …
I agree – though, for my own sake, I want to clarify – hope you’re not saying I have the “venom” …
I’m speaking of PERSONAL PREFERENCE here .. .I’m not against the songs, I’m not saying they are beneath me, I’m not saying ANY of that. What I’m saying is that I tend to PREFER them in a different context, and it’s been hard for me to feel that I’ve had the same “vertical/personal” connection with God in corporate worship when I sing them, as opposed to a worship chorus that would be more popular today.
I also concede that writing this blog (you can see my pathway from not wanting to see them, to defending them in the last paragraph) really helped me to walk out their value, and how important they are.
“So whether you eat or whether you drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” 1 Cor 10:31—-even singing Christmas carols or worship songs or country gospel or reggae or pop/rock or rap or blues or techno or arena rock or jazz or latino or R & B. Just trying to not lose perspective on what really matters.
have you guys seen Sojourn Community Church and their “Advent Songs” CD? Get it on NoiseTrade.com and check out their arrangements. If a melody and chord progression doesn’t work, why not rewrite the melody completely? Jamie Barnes singing “Joy to the World” on the first track will pour gasoline on any songwriting spark you have…
No, Fred – Asking appropriate questions and expressing personal preferences are par for the course. I was most surprised by Annapolis’ claim that it is “unfortunate” to ask a congregation to sing Christmas songs.
I prefer to never again hear Rod Stewart sing ANY CHristmas song, but my Church secretary has set her will against me. And that’s ok.
Fred – my words were intended as brother-to-brother iron on iron; I sincerely hope I didn’t “attack”. I genuinely appreciate you, man, and your honesty is always welcome to me. No “holier than thou” pedestalism from me, man – it was as much of a challenge to me as to you. Writing my post was a refresher to me of what it means to me. I’m definitely not “there” yet.
Drew – Rod Stewart, eek.
Bernard Shufords last blog post..MySpace is not evil
I lead worship for our youth ministry, and I “religiously” (ha! had to throw that word in here somewhere! LOL!) use the chorus of “O Come Let Us Adore Him”. But I also mix the melody with the phrase, We’ll Give Him all the Glory. I agree as said above, that Christ’s birth is a foundational event in all of Christianity and without it, there would be no need to worship. In prepping music for our worship service tonight, I integrated worship songs with traditional Christmas hymns, albeit I did change some of the chord structure and melody to O Come Emmanuel, and I have decided that I am also going to start using O Come Emmanuel throughout the year because the line – And ransom captive Israel – is so powerful. The purpose of His birth, His life, His death to to ransom us from the virus of sin. Wow, what a simple way for the students to acknowledge our necessity of Him, the acknowledgment of who we aren’t and Who He is! Hymns in general are such a foundational part of the church, and I am gladdened when I hear them in worship, and saddened when I hear people say they are no longer relevant. I am sure Fanny Crosby and Wesley would disagree. I tend to side with them when it comes to relevancy! Blessings! Jason.
Jason Durhams last blog post..YES, NO, WAIT A WHILE!
Hey Everybody – Christmas Carols – To sing or not to Sing .. it’s really heating up .. come join the discussion at http://is.gd/aZPb
RT @fmckinnon Christmas Carols – To sing or not to Sing .. it’s really heating up .. come join the discussion at http://is.gd/aZPb
Bernard,
Not at all man .. I so much appreciate your responses, too!
Freds last blog post..Christmas Carols – To Sing or Not to Sing
I’d like to suggest something that kind of a 180 to what Russ posted. Here’s another way of looking at it: When someone comes to visit your church do you want them to see a typical service or an atypical service? I would want them to get maximum exposure to what it is we do week by week.
I’d even take this one step further: When people who work 9 to 5 weekday jobs are finally off over the holidays and decide to check out Christian television, would you want them to see a good representation of what happens regularly on those shows — some interviews, news clips, testimonies — or a holiday special?
When someone walks into a Christian bookstore for the first time at Christmas, would it be best for them to see books that speak to their deep felt needs, books on prayer, advice on parenting, classic biographies, etc.; or racks of Christmas books that are packed up and stored the week after? Great worship music CDs, or displays of Christmas songs?
I think it’s important to be true to what it is we do best, and (pardon the term) showcase that when visitors drop by at special times and seasons; though not to the complete neglect of the season itself.
Paul Wilkinsons last blog post..It’s Religion Week At Candorville
I was challenged by parts of this article when thinking about Carols at Christmas.
http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=3733
Louise Knights last blog post..Java JBay Service – 2008-12-07
Fred – Totally relate to your post. I went thru this a few years ago and wrote about it. I’m with you man: http://babulife.blogs.com/weblog/2005/12/not_a_grinch_i_.html
A question for the readers. I find a bit of vitriolic attitude toward Christmas music by many modern worship leaders. That concerns me as the Incarnation is the apex of God’s revelation of Himself to us. And since worship both glorifies God and shapes our thinking on Him, shouldn’t we want to declare with passion lines like…
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
or
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
As far as them being story songs, is not our faith, as compared to almost every other, a historical faith thus it contains a story that should be preached AND sung. In this day of doing so many “how-to” sermons, should we at least not do “story” one time per year in our musical worship? Otherwise, people do not gain the redemptive history narrative of God’s activity through Christ. At the least, it diminishes their understanding that the activity of God in Christ is central to our faith. Jesus was not just a guru with some great help tips (save your marriage, be successful, get a blessed bank account). For crying out loud folks, it is the INCARNATION. Let’s sing of it and not relegate Carols to Christmas Eve only.
@ Bernard – YES.
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