Several years ago our church worship morphed
from blended traditional to out right contemporary music and worship. We
adapted as best we could most of the time. We sang the choruses, listened to
the praise team, focused on the repetitive words, praising God. And an
occasional hymn or hymn phrase fed our souls. "Amazing
Grace..."
This was different at Christmas. Contemporary worship at
Christmas left even more to be desired. We experienced two Christmas seasons
hearing no traditional Christmas carols, no classical Christmas music, and little Christmas Scripture. Instead
we were "entertained" by contemporary music.
Adapting to seekers is a common strategy
in today's churches. This seems misguided at Christmas. Many seekers grew up in
church. Most everyone holds these Christmas songs, music and Scripture secreted
in the inner recesses of their heart, mind and soul. These songs, music and
Scripture tell the amazing story of the birth of Christ. They tell the Reason for the season. God came to earth as a babe in a manger. He
came down to us to show us who He is and to redeem us. God intersected history
in person. Why are churches deleting Christmas carols that tell about this
marvelous event?
"O Come, All Ye Faithful . .
." O Little Town of Bethlehem. . ." "Silent Night, Holy Night. .
." Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. . ." "Joy to the World. .
." All missing!
We were unbelievers for years, but we
enjoyed Christmas carols playing in stores as we shopped or on the radio as we
traveled. We also watched Christmas TV programs, especially Charlie Brown's
Christmas. In this well known story Charlie Brown is depressed. He visits
Lucy's psychiatric booth and she recommends he get involved in a nativity play.
Twists and turns in the plot include Snoopy's elaborate decoration of his dog
house (commercialization of Christmas by a dog) and the other children
attempting to modernize the play (messing with tradition).
Charlie Brown searches for a Christmas tree
determined to focus on the traditional side of the story. The children laugh at
the scrawny tree he finds, throwing Charlie Brown back into despair about
discovering the real meaning of Christmas. Linus then takes center stage and
quotes the second chapter of the Gospel according to Luke, verses 8 through 14
from the King James Version.
"'And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the
field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the
Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they
were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I
bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you
is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the
Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in
swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the
angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to
God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.'"
Pastors and Churches: Take a lesson from
Charlie Brown. Keep the Christmas worship traditional. Sing the carols. Read
the Christmas scripture. As Linus said,
"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."
Christmas Blessings, Dottie
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