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New Contemporary Christmas Worship Songs
In addition to classic holiday carols, it’s always beautiful to add a few contemporary worship songs to the mix.
Many of the contemporary worship songs that come out each year are releases of classic Christmas hymns, either jazzed up with new tempos and syncopation or mashed up and blended with other popular worship choruses. Both are great options if your worshippers are up for it.
Here I’m highlighting a few fresh creations of some all-new (not recycled) Christmas songs that not only fit the Christmas theme but also are teachable and singable for your congregation.
December Edition: Top New Christmas Worship Songs
1. Hope Has A Name (Kristian Stanfill)
- CCLI Song #: 7163645
- Jacob Sooter | Kristian Stanfill | Sean Curran
- My chosen singable key: E
- 2020
“Hope Has A Name” Is Upbeat & Worshipful
I love lots of Christmas songs, but I don’t count them all as “worship” songs. While I appreciate the beauty & depth of songs that retell the manger story from different perspectives (like Breath of Heaven, Joseph’s Lullaby, etc.) for congregational worship, I want more.
If you’re a worship leader and haven’t heard “Hope Has a Name” yet, it’s a fabulous option for this Christmas season.
The chorus leads us to worship …
Chorus:
Hope has a name
Emmanuel
The Light of the World
Who broke through the darkness
All hail the King
Emmanuel
The Light of the World
The Glory of Heaven
Singable & Memorable For Congregational Worship
This song is in a singable range for most worshippers and can be led easily on guitar or piano. No huge band required!
And it’s easy enough to learn in a season and bring out again next year. And the lyrics are visual, relatable, and moving.
From Broken & Searching To Forgiveness & Healing
The message of this bridge hits at the heart of all.
Bridge:
Come if you’re broken
Come if you’re searching
If you need healing
He’s where you find it
Lay down your burdens
And breathe in forgiveness
If you need freedom
Yeah He’s where you find it
Um … me! (Hand raised here!) Yes, count me among the broken, the searching, and in need of healing! I’ve been there, I visit there, and I’m so glad God doesn’t leave me there!
Hope has a name.
Isn’t this the most beautiful message of Christmas?
2. Jesus Is Our King (Cross Point Music)
- CCLI Song #: 7141344
- Cheryl Stark | Jarrod Morris | Krissy Nordhoff | Michael Grayson
- My Chosen Singable Key: F
- 2020
Emmanuel, God Is With Us
Another great Christmas option that came out last year, “Jesus Is Our King” brings the classic Christmas message of Emmanual –– He is with us!
Verse 1:
He is with us with us
God Emmanuel
He is near us near us
Heaven come to dwell
Messiah Messiah
Our promise here to save
He is with us He is with us
Simple To Learn, Easy To Teach
Since Christmas worship songs are only around for a few weeks each year, a simple song that is still rich in the message like this one is a great find! The simplicity of this song means your worshippers can feel familiar with it on week one and enjoy it through the season.
Chorus:
Holy holy
Hear the angels sing
Worthy is our King
Worthy worthy
All creation sings
Jesus is our King
If you have a chance to take this to your worship team and play around with it, there is a lot of potential in building this song with instrumentation, even with some spontaneous worship.
If you add bells or chimes during your Christmas season, again, go for it! They would be a beautiful addition to your regular instruments on this song.
3. Let Us Adore (Elevation Worship)
- CCLI Song #: 7031511
- Chris Brown | Jason Ingram | Mack Brock | Steven Furtick | Wade Joye
- My Chosen Singable Key: F
- 2014
“Let Us Adore” Is The Most Amazing Christmas Worship Song
Although this song is not new (2014), it is one of my favorite songs that leads so beautifully into true worship of the Savior. It can easily be seamlessly woven into the chorus of “O Come All Ye Faithful.”
Perfect For Chimes & Orchestra Bells During The Holidays
This song is AMAZING with deep chimes playing with it as well. We’ve paired our chimes with our electric instruments on this for a gorgeous Christmas sound. If you have a set of handbells, that would also work beautifully for the simple deep bass tones.
Chorus:
O come all ye faithful bow before our Savior
Come let us adore the One who came for us
Glory in the highest praise the name of Jesus
Our King has come
A Word About Christmas Tradition & The Classics Of Old
On a final note, before I close out the last of the Top New Song posts of the year, I want to urge you to illuminate the meaning of tradition and classic hymns before tossing them out in favor of the new.
Christmas Is A Season To Build Bridges, Not Create Division
Most smaller congregations are a mix of generations. And too often, younger leaders toss out the traditions of the old in favor of the new. This tends to cause more division where bridges could be built instead.
There is beauty and depth in many traditions. Most of us would benefit from some education and explanation of why certain songs were sung, what some old-time words actually mean, and why different traditions are held dear.
For example, I never thought there was much worth in the song “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” … (like why are we singing about “merry gentlemen” anyway?) … that is, until I learned that the comma goes after “merry” … as in God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.
“God rest ye merry” was a phrase of blessing. Or “God KEEP you MIGHTY” is more accurate in translation. And when explained, it’s a very meaningful addition to the Advent season.
The same could be said of the season of Advent itself. Is Advent just part of a “religious” observance or could it actually deepen our “relationship” with God as we put some intention into recognizing Him as our faithful deliverer?
God Resides In Both Tradition & Newness
The thing about tradition is God can reside there as much as He resides in newness. In fact, God really isn’t anti-tradition at all. Remembering the stories of His faithfulness, keeping tradition, and honoring the ways of our elders can be seen in many ways throughout Biblical history.
Tradition can provide comfort in times when everything feels upside down or off-kilter. Tradition can feel like coming home to a place where God can be found once again.
Yes, there is danger in tradition when it doesn’t point us to the One we worship, or we lose the meaning it carries. But tradition itself isn’t a danger to be avoided.
Instead of throwing out the old in place of the new, why don’t we illuminate God’s place in it instead? Maybe in the process, we’ll be instruments of building bridges between the generations, teaching the younger the value of the generations before them and introducing the older to some new ways of connection as well.
Read more about why traditional elements can be important for visitors as well as the unchurched: Dos And Don’ts For Planning Worship For Christmas & Easter
Looking for something fresh and new for the holiday season?
Check out the Blue Christmas Pack & the Advent Worship Pack!
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