MULTITRACKS
SONGS FOR CHRISTMAS : FINDING THE BALANCE | Jesse Schaefer
Every year , we seem to hear Christmas music earlier and earlier , in stores , on the radio , even in advertisements . It never fails to spark a conversation , whether around the water cooler or at the dinner table . But every year , every time this conversation happens , I think of worship leaders .
You see , worship leaders are no stranger to a deep dive into Christmas music smack dab in the middle of October . This time of year , brings joy , happiness , laughter , and a whole lot of extra services to plan . Not only are there more to plan , but they may be our most attended services of the year ! The efficacy of our message has the potential for its most widespread impact , all within the span of a few weeks .
So how do we do it ? How do we greet those who may not often enter our doors with familiarity and a welcome experience , while also communicating something of unexpected depth with new life ? How do we deliver an old message in a fresh way while not alienating our guests from the familiarity and comfort they ’ re seeking in their visit ? In this season , we find ourselves trying to figure out the best way to communicate to a wide range of people .
At MultiTracks . com , we often talk about “ bringing a new pen to an old story .” In practice , this means that the message of the good news never changes , but the way we communicate it might . The beauty of the Gospel , of the Christmas message , is that it remains the same , as true today as it always has been . This truth can open us up to be able to communicate in familiar AND new ways .
“ No more let sin and sorrows grow , nor thorns infest the ground . He comes to make his blessings flow .”
“ Children , weep no more . Hope is on the horizon . Weary world , behold your promised Messiah . Here comes heaven . Christ is born in Bethlehem .”
Both lyrics express the salvific nature of Christ ’ s birth , and the promise it brings . Both bring hope and joy to our hearts in the promise of what ’ s to come . Now you may recognize both lyrics , but I ’ m almost positive you ’ re more familiar with one than you are with the other .
Isaac Watts wrote “ Joy to the World ” in 1719 , and generations on generations have been singing it ever since . In fact , it ’ s the most published Christmas hymn in all of North America . Whether our guests haven ’ t been to church in years , or even if they ’ ve never stepped foot in a church , they ’ ve more than likely heard “ Joy to the World ”. It ’ s familiar . It ’ s what they ’ re expecting to hear . It ’ s Christmas !
Chris Brown and Steven Furtick wrote “ Here Comes Heaven ” in 2018 . Ever since , it ’ s been at the top of our charts at MultiTracks . com every Christmas season . It was written to be a worship song first , and a Christmas song second , highlighting the truth that just as Jesus came to earth all those years ago , he can still
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