Carols

We Three Kings

December 31, 2023 • Pastor Steve Swinburne • Matthew 2:1–12

Though the title leads us to an inaccurate understanding of the Magi, the carol "We Three Kings", gives us an opportunity to discover deeper prophetic meaning of the gifts the Magi bring to young Jesus and his family. There is much that we don't know about the Magi and their famous trip to Palestine to visit Mary & Joseph, but what we do have from the stories in Matthew's gospel reveal a God that was both at once thrilled and at work in the world.

O Holy Night

December 24, 2023 • Pastor Steve Swinburne • Luke 2:8–20

O Holy Night is a revered song for its musical movements and the deep theology of its message. It has inspired worship in the hearts of its listeners for years. The song's power rests in the dual themes it calls its audience to understand; namely, God's love and God's justice. The more we allow these two themes to resonate within our lives the more we participate in the actions the author calls us to: to fall on our knees in worship; to hear with an open heart; to give God the praise he is due; and to proclaim God's love and justice in our world.

O Little Town of Bethlehem

December 17, 2023 • Pastor Steve Swinburne • Luke 2:1–7

The carol, "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" written by a pastor in XXXX after spending Christmas in the town of Bethlehem. From this unique perspective the last verse commissions us to pray 4 prayers: that Jesus would defend to us, that he would cast out our sin, that he would be born in us, and that he would abide with us. All reminders to deepen our walk with the Lord this holiday season.

Joy To The World

December 10, 2023 • Pastor Steve Swinburne

The carol, "Joy To The World" is a song that speaks to the incredible joy that we have in Jesus. The advent season reminds us of the period of waiting Israel endured as they expected their coming Messiah. Today we can enter into the same anticipation as we find joy in waiting for the return of Christ. We apologize for technical difficulties that resulted in a poor recording of this service.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

December 3, 2023 • Pastor Steve Swinburne

"Hark the Herald Angels Sing," written by Charles Wesley in 1739, announces through its melody and lyrics who Jesus is; the Savior. Drawing on Biblical passages that speak to Jesus' nature, it explores in worship the breadth of understanding we have about the mystery of the incarnation.

O Come O Come Emmanuel

November 26, 2023 • Pastor Alex Krum

The last Sunday in November marks the beginning of the Advent Season, where we turn our attention to the anticipation and expectation of the birth of the Messiah. This Advent season we're exploring the worship inspired by the Christmas story. We're diving into the history, the theology, and the meaning behind these beloved Christmas Carols. O Come O Come Emmanuel is perhaps one of the oldest carols we sing and it leads us through its melody and lyrical themes into a place of yearning and expectation. And if we give it space in our lives, it will begin to shape our spiritual walks as we step into the themes of this song

Price Chapel

The Theology, History, & Meaning of the Carols