Here we are, just days into a New Year, and many of us have already lost the wonder and excitement of beginning a new year. We may have celebrated on New Year's Eve and had grand visions for this new season, but already we have fallen back into comfortable routines and familiar patterns. How might we be inspired to carry the hope of a new year into and through the months to come? The Magi (whom many of us know as the Three Wise Men of Christmas) had a long journey to find the Christ Child. Commitment, community, and a sense of curiosity encouraged them on an uncertain journey. May we find that their story inspires us to enthusiastically journey into this new year with our own sense of hope and wonderment. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGwf_1a-Tlw
There are so many beautiful Christmas Carols to enjoy this time of year. And near the top of every list of favorites is "Silent Night." Maybe it is beloved for its beautiful, lilting melody - or maybe for its poetic words that paint such beautiful images in our mind. Or maybe it is so loved because it calls us to be still in the middle of a hectic season and in that quiet, lift our hearts to the One who is born Savior on the most holy of nights. And while we may know that any night on which is baby is born is not really a silent night, we can be assured that as we draw near the Babe of Bethlehem, we will find peace and rest. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udOOtwVk1F4
One of the joys of Christmas music is the stories that the songs tell. The ten stanzas of "Frosty the Snowman" tell us all about Frosty, from his creation to his fun antics to his departure and promise to "be back again someday." The touching song "The Christmas Shoes" tugs at our heartstrings as we meet a little boy seeking to get a gift of new shoes for his ailing mother because he wants "her to look beautiful if mama meets Jesus tonight." And "O Little Town of Bethlehem" transports us to the place where Jesus was born as we also learn of the people and events of that world-changing story. As we sing the songs of Christmas, we are reminded that the story that took place so long ago, in the "little town of Bethlehem," is also a story for us today. "O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!" Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ5Ydv1mAOc
It has been famously said, "Where words fail, music speaks." (Hans Christian Andersen) Maybe that's why Christmas music holds such a special place in our hearts. Our hopes for the season are so deep and so profound that words often fail us. But the music we sing gives voice to those hopes and wishes... giving life to the deepest desires of our hearts. As we sing of that "holy night" when "the stars are brightly shining," we reflect not only on the beauty of the Christmas event, we also pray that "the gospel of peace" will reign in the world and that "all oppression shall cease." This year in both word and song, we celebrate the Prince of Peace, come to us in the infant Jesus. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igDaWRsrc5I
Christmas music holds a special place in our hearts. From the fun and lively "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree" to the holy and tender "Silent Night," we love what the music adds to the season and our celebrations. Many of us first learned the story of Jesus' birth from these songs. And, many of us have Christmas songs that are special to us because they connect us with a memory or person. This season we let the songs of Christmas guide our worship and prepare our hearts for the arrival of the baby Jesus. "Sing We Now of Christmas" as we celebrate the season and anticipate Christ's arrival. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4H9mT8JZ6g&t=2293s