It’s that time of year again! The month of November ushers in the familiar sounds of Christmas music on the radio and in stores (my wife and I get a bit of a head start, admittedly, as we start listening to Christmas music and decorate our house in October). Similarly, churches begin singing the yearly cycle of traditional Christmas carols after Thanksgiving.
While it’s comforting to return to familiar favorites year after year, there’s something special about introducing new songs that capture the wonder of Christ’s birth in fresh ways. So, whether you’re curating your personal holiday playlist or planning worship services this season, here are five modern carols worth adding to your rotation.
1. Joy Has Dawned (2004) — Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
This song captures the essence of the Christmas story as the mystery of the Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in Christ’s life and death. Verse one alludes to the Old Testament foretelling of Christ’s birth, even as far back as Genesis 3. Verse three considers the wise men, particularly how each gift mentioned in Scripture is a prophecy of Jesus’ earthly journey. The verse states that the shepherds and wise men come and bow before the Lamb, pointing to Christ as the sacrificial lamb for the sins of the world. Verse four moves beyond the birth of Jesus, alluding to His death on the cross as a ransom.
This song has become a staple in my service planning at Christmas, particularly because of its accessibility for congregational participation. Its repetitive form (AABA) allows for the same opening melody line to be repeated three times in each stanza (similar to hymns like “Come, Thou Fount” or “In Christ Alone). The song is frequently paired with the chorus of “Angels We Have Heard on High” (Glo———ria, in excelsis Deo), which provides a nice blending of the traditional Christmas carol with this modern song.
2. In the Fullness of Time (2023) — Matt Boswell & Matt Papa
As the title implies, the message of this song describes Christ’s coming as a fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies “in the fullness of time.” The three verses of the song focus mainly on the events of that glorious night, while also highlighting contradictory images such as a virgin holding her child and the creator resting as a baby in His own creation. Verse three, however, shifts forward to the second coming of Christ, when all things will be made new and right “in the fullness of time.”
The chorus of this carol emphasizes the human response to God’s revelation of the Christ child. Texts such as John 1:14 (“and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory”) and Revelation 5 (“Holy, holy, holy,… glory to the lamb”) come to mind as we think about the great I AM coming to earth for us.
While the verse of this song has a more complex melody line than “Joy Has Dawned,” the repeated chorus and some repetition in the verse provide an overall accessibility for congregational singing. Also, the revelation-response pattern of the text makes this song a great addition to a Christmas service set list.
3. Sing we the Song of Emmanuel (2015) — Matt Boswell, Keith Getty, Matt Papa, & Stuart Townend
Like the previous song mentioned, “Sing We the Song of Emmanuel” encapsulates the pattern of biblical worship seen throughout Scripture: God reveals Himself and His people respond. Verse one tells of Emmanuel who was foretold in the Old Testament, the Promised One. Verse two unpacks the irony of God becoming flesh, such as the maker of heaven and earth becoming the son of the person He created. The incarnate Word of God in the person of Jesus is the ultimate revelation from God the Father to humankind. Because of this amazing revelation from God, our response in worship described in verse three is to go and tell the world about the saving work of Jesus.
The melody is simple and often immediately repeated, making it ideal for congregational learning and singing.
4. Prepare Him Room (2014) — Rebecca Elliott and Dave Fournier
This has become one of my favorite modern carols, particularly for its interesting harmonic progressions (I am a music theorist, after all) and thought-provoking lyrics. The first stanza alludes to the Old Testament prophecy from Psalm 24:7-10: “Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.” As is the natural rhythm of biblical worship, this revelation from God in the verse calls for a response from God’s people in the chorus with the title phrase “prepare Him room.”
Verse two shifts from Old Testament prophecy to New Testament reality, as the opening line states that the promise of Jesus has been fulfilled. The text in this second verse references imagery in the Gospel of John, as Jesus is the light of the world and the bread of life. The final verse creatively describes the culmination of the gospel message and the future glory of Jesus. The imagery of the cradle, the cross, and the grave encapsulate the journey of Christ and His love for mankind from birth to death. But that is not the end of the story, as the lyrics allude to Philippians 2:9-11 which states: “Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…”
This song is a great addition to the Christmas playlist, and it works well as a featured solo or ensemble piece on a Sunday morning or Christmas Eve service.
5. O Come, All You Unfaithful (2020) — Bob Kauflin and Lisa Clow
The title of this song often intrigues people, as it is a play on the familiar “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” After dealing with significant challenges and loss in her life, Lisa Clow recounts feeling unworthy to sing about approaching Christ “joyful and triumphant” as the traditional carol exclaims in the first line. So, she wrote an original poem for those feeling unworthy and ashamed to come to Christ, based on the promise of Matthew 11:28: “Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Songwriter Bob Kauflin worked with Lisa’s original text to create the lyrics for the song. The verses in the song provide the invitation to come to Jesus, while the bridge of the song presents the gospel purpose of Jesus’ birth—Jesus is the Lamb who was slain for us, and there is peace for those who trust in His promise of salvation.
This song is a wonderful addition to a Sunday service, either as a congregational song or as a featured solo or choir anthem, especially considering the hope and peace Christ’s incarnation brings to the world.
While many of the cherished traditional Christmas carols are staples in our playlist or worship service, incorporating newer carols can breathe fresh life into the season. These five songs, rich in theology and artistry, help us celebrate the miracle of the Incarnation with renewed awe and joy. So this year, as you prepare for the season and sing your favorite carols, consider adding one (or all!) of these songs to your list. You might just find a new favorite!
