Well it would seem that I've stirred a bit of a pot in my previous post when I mentioned how I dislike Christmas music in the worship services. After much elbow jabbing, teasing, and missunderstanding, I felt I needed to step in and explain a little more what I meant.
I think those who are involved in worship music planning understood what I was talking about. So to all the others out there, let me expound a little on what I meant. But first, let me start off by saying....I LOVE CHRISTMAS!
I love this time of year. I love it that families come together to catch up on what's been going on in each others lives over the past year. It's a wonderful time to give thanks to God for stepping into this dark world some 2000 years ago to bring peace on earth and in our hearts. The songs are beautiful. (Yes I really do believe that). The traditional ones are my personal faves. I love shopping for my wife and kids. I even like aspects of the commercialization of Christmas. Not because it takes the focus off Christ, but because it brings happiness to people, and we as Christians can share in that happiness and take moments to share with others why they are able to celebrate the Christmas holliday. Because of the birth of Christ who came to this earth to save them from their sins. So...hopefully I've cleared up the misconception that I hate Christmas. It's not true.
Now, here's why I haven't liked Christmas time in the worship services. If I were just a participator standing in the congregation, I would love this time of year in the services. But that's because I would not have to plan and arrange the music. It has always been a nuisance in the past to stop what you're doing to rearrange Christmas songs written in a way that has a new chord with every new beat in the song. If this doesn't make sense, try a little excercise. Sing the first verse of "Hark the Hearald Angels Sing". Now imagine you have to play a new chord for every word you sing. Not only that but many of these songs are written in keys that are too high for most people to sing in the first place. You then have to take time to transpose, and create new sheet music for your praise band. Then, you want to make it a bit more relevant to your congregation so you work to arrange it in a way that's a little more upbeat. Basically it needs to be arranged in a way your band can play it. It's a bit tedious. And then after December 25th, all that planning and all that work is gone. Not to return for another 12 months. It has always felt like a waste of time when your team could be working on current, fresh, new songs that inspire the church to worship God any time of the year. So, this is why I've always struggled with Christmas worship planning.
Now, let me take a moment to say that over the past two weeks, through all the ribbing and "Grinch" labeling, I've come to the realization that maybe...just maybe, I need to view this whole Christmas worship planning thing in a new way. I've asked myself, is the work I put into it worth it? And the
answer is...not if I don't approach this whole thing with the right heart. It's a special time for the body of Christ, and it should be for me also. I don't think I've viewed it correctly from the start. That will have to change going forward. It's always going to be more work, and it's always going to be here once a year. And apart from hiring a temporary worship leader in the month of December every year, there really isn't any other option than for me to come up with a plan to prepare for Christmas. Two of our singers have volunteered to plan the music for our next Christmas. Thank you Camelia and Gina! That is a huge step! I realized, I don't have to do this alone. I've got a great team of people waiting to help in more ways than just playing instruments and singing. The other thing... begin rehearsing new Christmas songs in September. I actually say this every year, but when September comes, the time just cruises by so fast that we just don't get it done. I think having a few people commit to helping find music will be a huge support for me.
So if you're a worship leader out there, what planning steps do you take for December? I'd love to hear from you all.
And to all you Grace people out there reading my blog, please help me dispell the cruel rumor that I'm a Grinch and let them know I am a lover of Christmas as much as anyone (except for like Gina and Mindy...I don't think I could ever rise to their level). Thank you for your support.
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