Carol Services are the perfect time to try something new, and we’ve gathered songs that can be used in a variety of ways. From new congregational carols to reflective performance pieces, the choice is yours.
We know that Carol Services host people who might be visiting church for the first time, and so we’ve chosen songs where the lyrics draw back to the heart of Christmas, the worship of Christ and the hope and love that he brings.
Here are our top 10 Christmas songs:
Mary Did You Know - Buddy Greene | Mark Lowry
Greene and Lowry's classic has been covered by some of the biggest names in music including Pentatonix, Zara Larsson, CeeLo Green, Carrie Underwood and Dolly Parton. Perfect as a reflective performance piece.
Featuring on the New Irish Choir and Orchestra's Christmas album, A New Irish Christmas, Angelsong is a choral retelling of the angels’ message to the Shepherds.
Sing We the Song Of Emmanuel - Matt Boswell | Keith Getty | Matt Papa | Stuart Townend
From the classic song writing pairing of Getty and Townend, plus to Matt's (Boswell and Papa) comes a call to "Lift your voices and now proclaim, Great and glorious Love has come to us, Join now with the hosts of heaven".
Hope is Here - Anna Brading | Simon Brading | Charlotte Oakley | Jotham Oakley
A Christmas worship song for congregational worship that praises the newborn Christ and hails him as our Holy Saviour.
A Great and Mighty Wonder - Tom McConnell
Tom notes that "A Great and Mighty Wonder' is a modern adaptation of a 1500-year-old Advent hymn speaking about the wonder of God's salvation coming to earth at Christmas. This version of the song is a very singable modern carol!"
The Greatest Gift of All - Cathy Burton | Chris Eaton
Written for the album of the same name, this song tells of how the stable was to "Welcome strangers came to worship the baby King… The Greatest Gift of All"
All For Love - Helen Gallagher | Matt Gallagher
Maidstone based husband and wife song writing duo Helen and Matt Gallagher's reflective Christian song is perfect for performance in carol services, explaining how the reason for the Christmas story is "All for Love".
The One Who Was Born to Love - Alan Penman | Jack Robertson
Released as a performance by Ian White and the Voice Project Youth Choir, The One Who Was Born to Love, is a beautiful carol. The choir’s performance adds to the song and gives atmosphere to the lyrics which returns the focus to Jesus and his love.
Ben notes that this is “a song for Christmas drawing the listener to the intimacy of the stable and the grandeur of what is revealed inside.”
Glad Tidings - Lou Fellingham | Nathan Fellingham | Jotham Oakley
Lou Fellingham needs no introduction to the UK church and this song, taken from her Christmas album, is written around the chorus line of God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman. It’s a beautiful reimagining of these timeless lyrics.
