Steven Wilburn of Suite 101
Media writes, “Christmas can be a tough time for modern churches with a
contemporary worship style.” These apparently are “tough times” because what
worshipers really want is to sing traditional Christmas carols as written.
However, that’s not what modern worship leaders want to provide for their
congregations. So despite the scarcity of these modern offerings, he found a
few to recommend.
Wilburn evaluated an arrangement
of “Joy to the World.” In his review he commended
a band that has “…taken their signature
edgy style and used it to revamp the classic carol, …” He notes that, “The band
gives the verses a U2 feel with delayed electrics and long pedal tones.” In
addition, the band has added a simple refrain, “ ‘all of heaven and all of
creation sing the wonders of his love,’ putting it over a heavy drum(-)driven
syncopated rhythm.”
Just when I thought an arrangement could not be more
appalling, Wilburn introduces another Christian band arranged carol, “What
Child is This?” He writes that “… a pair
of picking acoustics and violin, . . .” gives a folk feel to this traditional
English carol. Then, “Slowly, the song add(s) instruments and builds energy
until the whole band enters on the final refrain for a hard rock ending.”
Having been a participant in services where new
arrangements of Christmas carols inspired movement and encouraged clapping, I
started to wonder if by next year our church might include a Christmas carol rap.
Long ago I decided that if people who come up with rap
songs are composers, then anyone can be a composer. So here is my Christmas rap
contribution:
He came here on a night so clear/A
child that brought us all good cheer/Now angels played on harps of gold/When
they arrived and their story told/Yeah/Oh yeah
The song they’re singin’ right here,
right now/It’s about that child over by that cow/That song floatin’ out for all
to hear/Is bringin’ you courage and much good cheer. Yeah/Oh yeah
So listen right now you weary and
sad/Sit and let the angel song make you glad/They’re wantin’ you to know that the
baby in the trough/Is the Christ Child King so don’t nod off/Yeah/Oh yeah ©
Okay, I’m whining. And, yes, I would like a little
cheese with my whine.
It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men
From heavens all gracious King!"
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.
~Edmund Hamilton Sears
Celtic
Woman is a popular contemporary group that sings Christmas songs and carols
beautifully. Many of their selections are on their CD/DVD “Home for
Christmas.”
