The Songs of Christmas

The Biblical Story Behind the Songs

Mary Did You Know?

December 27, 2020 • Adam England

Adam shares his thoughts on the song "Mary Did You Know," tying the song to the story of Christmas and a prediction about Jesus from the book of Isaiah.

Merry Christmas from the Office!

December 23, 2020 • Office Staff

Our staff set aside some time to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas! We took turns sharing about favorite Christmas meals, memories, and songs, and read part of the Christmas story from Luke 1. We love you all and wish you a very merry Christmas!

O Come, All Ye Faithful

December 20, 2020

O Come All Ye Faithful tells the story of the Magi, Shepherds and Angels who recognized the magnificence of Jesus entering our world. Their knowledge of Jesus turned into joy, which led them to worship, which was expressed not only in the words they sang but the lives they lived. Today, this song is an invitation to truly worship Jesus from the bottom of our hearts.

Finding Jesus in "Up on the Housetop" (and other silly Christmas songs)

December 15, 2020

Hey Westside family, it's Bryan. I just want to remind all of us that we shouldn't take ourselves too seriously. It's ok for Christians to have fun :) Now I know that 2020 has been a difficult year, but Christmas can be a time to laugh to celebrate despite the challenges we're facing. That's why I wanted to record something that might bring a smile to your face... a video that reimagines Feliz Navidad, Baby it's Cold Outside, and other "secular" Christmas songs as powerful Christian anthems... and yes, that incudes "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer." I hope this you'll have as much fun watching this as I did making it... and I hope it brings a little encouragement to your day!

Joy to the World

December 13, 2020

Isaac Watts wrote Joy to the World as a call to worship, based on Psalm 98. In this message, we'll tell the inspiring backstory behind the song and study the Bible passages that went into it.

Kids Singing "Joy to the World"

December 13, 2020

The kids of Westside perform "Joy to the World" from their own homes. Enjoy!

Kids Reading "When Jesus Was Born"

December 13, 2020

A special presentation of "When Jesus was Born..." by the Westside Kids ministry.

O Come O Come Emmanuel

December 6, 2020

O Come O Come Emmanuel is based on a 1,200 year old prayer that invites God's presence into our hearts. This prayer was said in the seven days leading up to Christmas, and each day had a significant theme: an attribute of God as revealed in the book of Isaiah. In this message, Bryan shares the history of this song, the unlikely story from the book of Isaiah that inspired it, and how Jesus represents the fulfillment of God's promise to be with us.

Introduction

December 3, 2020

Join us this Sunday for a new message series called “The Songs of Christmas.” Each week we’ll tell the inspiring Biblical story behind one of your favorite Christmas carols. We hope this is an encouraging time to reflect on the story of Christmas and the gift of Jesus for all of us. Invite a friend and join us in person (9am) or online (10:30am).