This post has taken me forever to write... and that has really surprised me. I’ve talked about the subject of Christmas music with a number of friends over the past few weeks, and I’ve gotten such an interesting response from those conversations that I decided to turn it into a blog post. If your eye of analysis is too critical on Christmas music, however, some will think you hate sunshine and happiness. I don’t hate sunshine. Or happiness. Or Christmas.
I also do not hate Christmas music, at least in-and-of itself. Although this post is birthed out of some personal frustration as a worship leader, the following analysis is only designed to point out a deficiency in the church, with the hopes of inspiring change and growth. It is from the perspective of a worship leader, fueled by the desire to invigorate the praise of God’s people as they celebrate the birth of humanity's Savior.
With that said, here we go...
The so-called “modern worship movement” has been redefining music in the church for about twenty years. Indeed, the post-”modern worship” movement has solidified and matured the efforts that began around 20 years ago. Now, songs written in modern style and sound can (and often do) have just as much theological and spiritual depth as the greatest hymns... with one glaring exception: Christmas music. I feel that there is so much talent in the worship music “genre” today, but after examining the wave of Christmas albums that Christian music is offering in 2012, one question keeps screaming in my head.
Is THIS the best we, as the modern church, can do?! Seriously?!
Oh, there are PLENTY of Christmas albums by modern artists. The vast majority of these projects, however, are pulling from the same pool of Christmas hymns. Do we really need another version of “O Holy Night” from David Crowder or Hillsong Live? No, we do not, especially since there are dozens of other versions of the same song. Do we really need to hear Jeremy Camp sing a cover of “Jingle Bell Rock”? No matter how "fun" that may be, the answer is ultimately: no. These artists are BETTER than that.
Granted, there are a few gems out there. Audrey Assad’s “Winter Snow” or Aaron Ivey's "A Day of Glory" are great examples of modern Christmas worship songs. A few years ago, Chris Tomlin released a Christmas album that was an attempt to reclaim the seasonal music as statements of worship. I thought he mostly succeeded, even though Tomlin, one of the most prolific songwriters for the church today, only offered 3 new songs of worship for Christmas. Tomlin proved, however, that the concept of breathing new life into Christmas music is possible.
But, we need more. We need BETTER.
Christmas is about the birth of Christ. There are no arguments about that, especially among the artists in Christian music. I also hear on a consistent basis that Christian music is a "ministry, first and foremost." Even though I would normally debate that point, if we take the ministry claim at face value, what value is there to issue covers of secular Christmas songs?
It really makes the Christmas music sub-genre in Christian music feel like an afterthought, and a bit of a money grab. Sadly, I don’t think either of these conclusions are unfair, or untrue. Christmas albums are often an afterthought of a project for artists, something that is thrown together in a matter of months. Most of these songs are also either public domain, or cost pennies to record. And, of course, Christmas albums are normally easy sellers during the holiday season. It makes a lot of sense, honestly... but, is that where it should end? If the Christian music industry is a ministry FIRST, then should it be so quick to embrace simple statements of secular culture? Is it a good thing when there is not much difference between a Christian artist’s Christmas album and the holiday album from the cast of Glee?
My answer is no.
Any analysis of the most popular Christmas hymns (especially the verses that NO ONE ever really sings) shows a surprising amount of theological depth. Likewise, the few that comprise the great modern Christmas songs have similar scope and focus... and, perhaps, that is the point. A good Christmas worship song will fit just as comfortably in a December service, as it would in a July service. (Matt Redman’s “Light of the World” and Chris Tomlin’s “Glory in the Highest” are great examples of this idea.)
This is probably one of the most important heart-shifts I’ve made in the past number of years, both as a worship leader and as a follower of Christ. Christmas is still about family and friends for me, of course, and it’s still one of my favorite holidays. More important than any of that, however, is the fact that Christmas is our recognition of the start of humanity’s redemption. Our view of the manger should always be in the shadow of the cross, and in sight of the empty tomb. The Christmas worship music of the church should always reflect this truth, instead of winter wonderlands or rocking around Christmas trees.