Christ-Centered Christmas Music: What Belongs and What Doesn’t | The Church Resource

Welcome back to The Church Resource! In this episode, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass dive deep into one of the most joyful—and sometimes most complicated—parts of church life: Christmas music, hymns, and how we disciple our families and congregations through the songs we sing. The conversation starts lightheartedly with Christmas jackets and motorcycle weather before moving into a fun but meaningful question: What are your top three Christmas hymns? Lucas and Chris share their favorites—from “O Come All Ye Faithful” to “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World,” and the rich, haunting beauty of “O Come O Come Emmanuel.” They reflect on what makes these hymns so powerful: their deep theology, the sacred way they’re written, and the way they invite us to slow down and remember the birth of Christ. From there, the episode explores why Christmas hymns feel so precious. While modern worship often tries to stay relevant, Christmas season pushes us back toward songs that are timeless, sacred, and focused on the incarnation. Lucas wonders aloud what it would look like if churches approached a random Sunday in August with the same reverence they bring to a candlelight service. Chris emphasizes how Christmas hymns point to a single, extraordinary moment in history—the arrival of the Savior. Then things get interesting as the guys shift to the opposite extreme: Which Christmas songs do you absolutely dislike? Whether it’s “Santa Baby,” “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” Paul McCartney’s “Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time,” or the guilt-filled “Do They Know It’s Christmas,” Lucas and Chris talk candidly about why some songs drain the joy right out of the season. This leads to a deeper, more thoughtful discussion about how the songs we sing shape our families. Lucas shares a moment when he realized he’d been teaching his toddler the lyrics to “O Christmas Tree”… only to discover how much of the song essentially praises the tree itself. Together, they unpack how easy it is for “seasonal” songs to overshadow the Savior—and why parents and church leaders should be intentional about what messages they reinforce through music. Chris encourages parents to curate what’s sung at home just as intentionally as what’s sung in the church. While not every seasonal song is harmful, some subtly shift the focus from worshiping the Creator to celebrating the creation. They reflect on how maturity, parenting, and spiritual growth naturally make us more discerning about lyrics and their impact on the hearts of our kids and congregations. As the episode closes, Lucas and Chris return to what makes Christmas hymns truly beautiful: they center our worship on Christ, connect us with generations of believers before us, and remind us of the miracle of the incarnation. Whatever you sing this Christmas—at home, at church, or with your family—choose songs that keep the focus where it belongs: on the Savior, not just the season. Have a topic you want us to cover? Email us at [e-mail]