Christmas is usually one of the busiest times of the year for churches. With families visiting and guests stopping by, the holidays provide a unique opportunity to minister to new people. However, with most Christmas carols written in a more traditional musical style, Christmas worship can be difficult for modern churches who prefer a praise and worship style.
Fortunately, some of the top artists in the contemporary Christian music world have reset many beloved Christmas carols to give them a modern feel. Here are some of the best carol arrangements.
"All Creation Sing (Joy to the World)" by Fee
Quickly becoming a staple of modern worship, Steve Fee and his band have made a name for themselves through their high energy, electric guitar-driven worship. So it is no wonder that Fee has taken their signature edgy style and used it to revamp the classic carol, "Joy to the World." The band gives the verses a U2 feel with delayed electrics and long pedal tones.
Fee has added a simple refrain with the words, "all of heaven and all creation sing the wonders of his love," putting it over a heavy drum driven syncopated rhythm. The high energy and simplicity of this version would make it a great opening or closing for any Christmas service.
"Hark the Herald Angels Sing" by Chris Tomlin
Using a style similar to his enormously successful "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)," Chris Tomlin has revamped the normally upbeat "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," from his Christmas album Glory in the Highest, into a soft, reflective worship offering. The song begins with a simple piano lead and builds, adding electric guitars, drum loops and percussion.
By the end, the song ends with the instruments cutting out for a final a cappella refrain. Some congregation members may find this style anti-climactic when compared to the energetic original version, but it gives space both for the incredible words of this carol to be absorbed, and for the singing to take the lead.
"What Child is This" by Third Day
One of the most successful bands in contemporary Christian music, Third Day released their first Christmas album in 2006 called Christmas Offerings. Featured on that album was a beautifully arranged version of "What Child is This". Starting with a pair of picking acoustics and violin, the song immediately gives a folk feel to the traditional English carol.
Slowly, the song add instruments and builds energy until the whole band enters on the final refrain for a hard rock ending. The coolest part of the song is by far the wurlitzer solo in between the chorus and last verse. This arrangement is perfect for anyone looking for a slightly unusual, yet thoroughly faithful rendition of a Christmas classic in a praise and worship context.
"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" by Jars of Clay
Jars of Clay has garnered international critical acclaim for their raw, authentic music offerings that often push traditional pop-contemporary boundaries. Their rendition of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" from their album Christmas Songs is no exception. They sing the entire song over a single four chord progression, played initially on delayed electric piano. Quick rhythmic acoustics and strings enter in later to give a more cohesive musical sound.
The song only includes the first and second verses with refrain and a whole lot of instrumental music meaning that for congregational purposes the other verses would have to be added or something else placed over the instrumental sections. Yet the hauntingly melancholy arrangement is the perfect remedy to breathe new life into an old carol.
"In the Bleak Midwinter" by Terry Taylor
The song "In the Bleak Midwinter" has been a more obscure Christmas carol, possibly for it's darker, more solemn melody. Thankfully, veteran folk musician and songwriter Terry Taylor has taken the piece and made its powerful lyrics more musically accessible on the album City on a Hill: It's Christmas Time. Using a simple percussion loop as a foundation, Taylors mix of acoustic guitar, glockenspiel and clean electric guitar give the song a much more cheerful flavor. Subtlety is key in this version with each instrument providing ample space for all the others. This version is perfect to introduce the traditional Christmas song to a young congregation or revamp it for a slightly older group.
Contemporary Carols and Christmas Songs
For many people Christmas isn't Christmas without the traditional carols associated with the season. Using these updated arrangements of Christmas carols can meet the desire for the traditional songs while also maintaining a modern praise and worship feel.
Related Articles:
Contemporary Praise and Worship Songs for Christmas
New Praise and Worship Songs for Contemporary Congregations
Steve Wilburn - Steve is currently a Worship Director at a suburban Philadelphia church, and a seminary student. He is a classically trained vocalist with ...
