Christmas Is Coming... so what?

As a worship leader, I plan music and worship with the desire to see people encounter God; to wit, a God Encounter. Every Christmas I hear the question, "Are we going to sing carols this year?" And every year I answer the same, "We sing carols every year!"

But I struggle with our motivation behind singing carols. So many times, we only sing such songs at certain times of the year because it is "a tradition." And while there may be nothing wrong with tradition on it's face, I fear that "tradition" brings with it a sense of boredom, even laziness with the experience. Even songs like "Joy To The World" and "Angels We Have Heard On High" can (not should) be sung while looking around at others, and even yawning.

So this year we put together a program consisting of Readings, Poetry, and Bible verses around traditional carols and contemporary choir pieces. It has been a great way to spice up the regular worship and inspire new meaning into the old songs while ministering the Word of God to everyone in a traditional worship setting. I have been encouraged by the smiles and laughter I have seen as people sing those same songs we do year after year. And I believe that, for some at least, new life has been breathed into old traditions once practiced only in rote.

So what about you? Are you acting out of tradition and "should" or "have to?" Or are you striving this Christmas season to allow God to breathe new life into those things that can become bedrock in your life?