KIDS WORSHIP
THREE PARTS OF CHRISTMAS IN WORSHIP | Yancy
I am one of those people that LOVE this time of year . I love the festivities . I love the decorations . The music . The activities . The traditions . I look forward to all the ordinary moments made special by the holidays .
As a worship leader I love the shift that gets created . Let ’ s admit , most of the year our worship services accomplish the same or very similar things . But for holidays , only a couple times of year , we get to mix things up . We plan our sets differently . We take a break from our regular songs and sing some special ones for the season . I think the break from the ordinary is a gift in so many ways . As a leader we get to use that momentum to our advantage as we lead others .
I was thinking about this season and a few of the elements of it that tie into our worship . I wanted to share a few ideas around three key ingredients of both the holidays and our worship :
1 . CELEBRATION This season is about celebrating the baby that was born , the Savior of the world . This is not a time to weep or be sad . When we focus on the real reason of Christmas there is so much JOY . There is expectation and promises fulfilled . May our joy be contagious on stage and off stage . May we focus our heart and mind on what this season is truly all about . With the children we lead there is no doubt that we can make space to celebrate the Savior born . We can sing “ Joy to the World .” Did you know that “ Joy to the World ’ was Isaac Watts ’ lyrical adaption of Psalm 98 ? Think about how you can insert celebration , joy and fun into your worship sets this Christmas . harder for you to identify with . Explore the idea with those you lead that their worship is a gift they give to God . Obviously , we don ’ t give God physical gifts in the way we give to our family and friends . Dive deeper into teaching kids about worship this month by reminding them that their song-- their attention and focus -- their posture and hand extended to Heaven , is all a gift that they get to GIVE to God . Don ’ t be content standing on the sidelines or not participating in this offering of worship . This is your time and your worship is a present you give . Just like the wise men gave gifts to Jesus , let ’ s give generously to the One who has given us all things !
3 . AWE AND WONDER I love the examples of worship we see in the Christmas story . The angels and the shepherds worshiped and sang praise . We get to have moments of high energy , joy and celebration but we also get to have moments of stillness , quiet reflection and moments to give honor where it is due . This is a special season . Don ’ t lead worship without highlighting the attitude of worship that we should be offering . God gave His son . I mean that ’ s pretty much a mic drop moment . Pick my jaw up off the floor . What an amazing gift that we were given . I am going to stand in awe . I am going to be amazed when I look around me and reflect on the past year and all the ways God has been faithful to me . When I realize what Christmas is about I ’ m going to respond with ‘ O come let us adore Him ’ just like those shepherds did that are represented in our nativity sets .
I pray each weekend , every special service or music event that you are a part of this month will be a unique time of worship . Different from the other eleven months of the year and yet just another expression of the glory that belongs to our God for all He has done . Go lead well . Merry Christmas friends !
© 2021 Yancy Ministries , Inc . Yancy Yancy is a worship leader and songwriter for kids that travels the globe doing family concerts and training worship leaders . Every week her songs are used in thousands of churches around the world . Her beloved “ Little Praise Party ” series for young kids is Dove Award nominated . Yancy has a passion to serve the Church which is why she created “ Heartbeat ”, a curriculum to teach kids the heart of worship . Her book “ Sweet Sound : The Power of Discipling Kids in Worship ” releases in November . She lives with her husband and sons in Nashville , TN .
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2 . GIFTS I am a gift giver . That is one of my love languages . Giving gifts , even wrapping presents is one of my favorite things . However , this one may be