Below are a few historic and modern Christmas songs that highlight God’s care for the poor and the oppressed. Incorporating songs like these can help your church worship in a way that reflects the gospel’s heart for the vulnerable:
- O Holy Night
Includes the prophetic line: “Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother.” A powerful declaration of Christ’s liberating justice.
- It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
Calls the weary, burdened, and suffering to hear the song of peace the angels still sing.
- I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
A lament that turns to hope, proclaiming that God’s justice is stronger than despair.
- Canticle of the Turning (a contemporary paraphrase of the Magnificat)
Directly celebrates the reversal Mary sings: the lifting up of the poor, the scattering of the proud, and God’s mercy for the lowly.
When we put songs like these on the lips of our people, we are forming a church that remembers what God remembers and loves what God loves.
4. Use Advent To Form a People of Mercy and Hospitality
Christmas is one of the most formational times of the year. People are emotionally open, spiritually curious, and looking for belonging. As church leaders, Advent gives you a unique discipleship window to shape the practices and culture of your church.
Here are three formation opportunities:
- Preach Hospitality as a Christian Identity
Hospitality is not entertainment—it is a gospel practice. Encourage your church to make room for people who have no room: the widow who sits alone in the pew, the child in foster care, the neighbor from another country, the family struggling quietly.
Challenge your people: Who is one person or family you can invite to your table this season?
- Mobilize Your Sunday Schools or Small Groups
Coming out of Advent, encourage community and ministry groups to embark on a missional activity together. They can start with learning opportunities such as prayer walking their neighborhoods to learn about needs or start a small study about global missions such as A World on the Move or Welcoming the Stranger.
- Serve in Ways That Build Long-Term Relationship
Christmas outreaches are wonderful, but the greatest work happens after the season ends. Partner with local ministries that provide ongoing care so that December compassion becomes January faithfulness.
Your church can be a living preview of Revelation 22 and experience a discipleship journey where healing happens locally and globally, even in small and simple ways.
A Final Encouragement for Pastors
This season is demanding. You carry the burdens of many, and the expectations of Christmas can feel heavy. But the angel’s vision to John is also a vision for you.
One day, you will see Jesus face to face.
One day, all your labor for the healing of the world will make sense.
One day, the seeds of compassion you plant will bloom into the fruit of the Tree of Life.
Until then, lead boldly and gently.
Proclaim hope courageously.
Love the vulnerable joyfully.
Pray for the world fervently.
And participate in what Jesus came to do: Heal the nations.
Download World Relief’s Advent devotional Light for the Journey.
