Worship leaders, I know some of you aren’t huge fans of traditional Christmas music in your worship sets. You may think carols are outdated or boring. But trust me, your congregation wants to hear their favorite holiday hymns this Christmas season. Here’s why you should embrace those classic songs and give your people the nostalgic Christmas worship experience they crave.
Christmas is all about tradition
The familiar carols connect us to our childhoods and tap into those warm, fuzzy memories. Timeless songs like “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World” instantly get people in the Christmas spirit. They remind people of gatherings around the tree with family, taking part in candlelight services, and singing carols outside neighborhood doors.
Even contemporary congregations want Christmas tradition. The classics resonate across generations. “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” may be ancient carols, but they still give us the same hope as they did for people ages ago.
If you’re worried about boredom, breathe new life into the old songs. Try my new version of “Go Tell It on the Mountain.” Add a driving beat to “Angels From the Realms of Glory.” Keep those melodies intact but give them a fresh coat of musical paint!
Help your congregation recapture childlike wonder this Christmas. Let these ageless hymns transport them back to simpler times. Remind them of the miracle that started it all – Emmanuel, God with us! It’s worth stepping outside your normal musical comfort zone to give your people the gift of cherished Christmas favorites.
You May Not Love These Songs, But Your People Do
You may not personally connect with Christmas songs. But remember, Christmas worship isn’t about us, it’s about Jesus. These traditional carols tell His story in a powerful way. Through familiar lyrics and melodies, we can reflect on the miracle of the incarnation. Songs like “O Holy Night” and “Silent Night” turn our eyes to the manger and fill us with awe and wonder.
Our role isn’t always to pick songs that excite us. It’s to lead our congregations, with all their varied musical tastes, into reverent worship focused on the Lord. These traditional carols may not be our cup of egg nog, but they allow us to tell the Christmas story in a powerful way that spans centuries and unite us all.
Let Christmas Hymns Lead to Deeper Worship
This Christmas, let these timeless hymns lead your congregation into deeper worship. Feature soaring renditions of songs that glorify God’s indescribable gift. Have your people lift their voices together in praise on carols like “Joy to the World.” As you sing “come let us adore Him” encourage true adoration. Light candles and sing “Silent Night” acapella, inviting the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Lean into Christmas musical traditions this year to direct your church’s focus toward Christ. Let these meaningful songs stir spiritual devotion in their hearts. Through carols that have stood the test of time, guide your people into a richer, more reverent worship experience. This Christmas, use the power of traditional music to help your congregation fix their eyes on Jesus.
