If you’re a worship leader, the Christmas season probably has you running on fumes. Attendance is up, expectations are high, and there’s always a long list of new Christmas music to learn.
But before you rush into the next rehearsal or service plan—pause. Take a deep breath. Realign your heart with what matters most: hope is here, Jesus has come, and the glories of the Gospel are just as real today as they were 2,000 years ago in a Bethlehem stable.
That truth is what inspired us at Allison Park Worship to release our Christmas worship project, Light of the World. These songs are designed not just to be sung, but to help you and your congregation slow down, reflect, and worship Christ in the middle of the Christmas craziness.
Why Christmas Worship Songs Still Matter
The beauty of Christmas carols isn’t in their originality but in their ability to make us reflect. In a season filled with stress, materialism, and endless to-do lists, these songs remind us that a Savior has come.
Our project wasn’t created as a typical album but as fresh arrangements of classic Christmas hymns for our own Christmas Eve services. We wanted music that would engage our church, lift their eyes to Christ, and carry them through the busy holiday season.
Here’s a quick look behind the scenes at some of the songs we arranged.
1. O Come All Ye Faithful
Though not typically considered “upbeat,” we reimagined this hymn as an opening call-to-worship song. Most people don’t arrive at church ready to worship, so this arrangement helps them orient their hearts toward God from the very first notes.
2. Hark the Herald (Glory)
This is my personal favorite Christmas song because of its rich theology and soaring melody. We created a more modern, synth-driven version that closes with a new chorus echoing the angels’ cry: “Glory to the newborn King.” The song shifts from 4/4 to 6/8 at the end, giving it an energetic finish.
