Thursday, December 4, 2008

Christmas Carols and Theology

It's beginning to look a lot like...well, you know the rest. The Worship Arts world here at Living Word has been very busy the past month as we transform the auditorium in significant ways - color, wall treatments, and, at this very moment, stagebuilds. It's been a thrill to see how the improvements made have already enhanced our worship environment, and over the next few weeks the enhancements will become ever more noticeable. The opportunity to bring beauty and artistry into this "sacred space" is truly exciting as we approach Christmas.

Our world has been a flurry of activity but I haven't forgotten about our humble blog! I came across an article this morning about the theology behind the sacred Christmas hymns we sing at this time of year. Check it out over at LeaderU. As much as I get sentimental about singing Christmas songs I am also amazed at the redemptive truths in so many of these wonderful carols. It's amazing, you can be at Walmart, or Target or even Starbucks and here these explicitly Christian songs being played over the speakers - it's the gospel being sung! And yet most people hear these songs as a background track for their holiday shopping and merriment without pausing to consider what they are really saying.

There is an opporunity in the hustle and bustle of this season to reflect on the truths behind the songs and to invite others - specifically non-Christ followers - to services or events that incorporate these familiar tunes.

Just thinking...I wonder if we can draw any theological truths out of other beloved Christmas songs like "Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer" or "Run Run Rudolph"?