As teh last ornaments are packed away and gym memberships surge, a plea is going out: don’t retire the tradition of deeply theological, communal singing.
Beyond Baubles: Why Christmas Carols Deserve a Year-Round encore
- Christmas carols aren’t just festive tunes; they’re theological statements.
- Churches often shift to less historically grounded worship music after the holidays.
- A growing movement seeks to restore theologically robust songwriting in contemporary worship.
- The longing for Jesus’ return, echoed in Advent, can be nurtured year-round thru meaningful song.
It’s a realization that frequently enough comes with age: many of our most cherished Christmas carols are brimming with rich biblical theology, deeply rooted in God’s covenant promises to Israel and their fulfillment in Jesus christ, then extended to all nations. We often sing along without fully grasping the depth of what we’re proclaiming.
Consider classics like “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” “Joy to the world,” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” These aren’t simply pleasant melodies; they’re concise theological treatises set to music.
While singing carols year-round might seem unconventional-though not unheard of,with “christmas in July” celebrations,notably in Perth,where temperatures recently reached 41C-the practice could cultivate a year-long anticipation for Christ’s return. That longing, after all, feels distinctly biblical.
many carols, and older hymns in general, carry an almost unconscious weight of history, narrating the story of the Messiah’s arrival and the fulfillment of centuries of hope and expectation.
It’s easy for churches to revert to more self-focused and historically detached song selections after the Christmas season. However, there’s a growing trend toward more theologically significant songwriting across various denominations, from Reformed to Pentecostal traditions.
For a time, some songwriters created worship songs that felt so broadly applicable they could have been sung by anyone, regardless of faith. These songs often lacked ancient grounding and failed to emphasize the Trinitarian nature of god’s work in salvation and sanctification.
Last year, a worship director at a large Pentecostal church in Queensland shared his concern that many songs within his tradition lacked a God-centered focus and connection to the gospel narrative. He initiated a change within his Australian network to address this.
The worship experience at that church was notably “Nicene” in its theological depth, a truly encouraging observation.
As we move beyond the 48 weeks leading up to Advent, it’s critically important to remember that Advent itself is a time of remembering Jesus’ return, and the longing that accompanies that anticipation. What do we need during those “in-between days”? Encouragement, challenge, comfort, and instruction in God’s plan of salvation.
And what about adoration and worship? The deeper we immerse ourselves in the historical gospel-planned by God from eternity and fulfilled in jesus-and the global spread of the Holy Spirit, the more profound our worship becomes.
Perhaps we could even embrace carols mid-year.
Before packing them away, take time to reflect on the biblical depth, theological astuteness, and gospel longing embedded within your Christmas carols. Consider how these elements can inform your church’s worship songs throughout the year.
And, for a year-round dose of Christmas spirit, consider “Christmas Song For All Year Round” by Randy stonehill, written in the 1970s. Stonehill clearly understood the scriptures.
Have a listen, and let it inspire your worship:
