Have you ever wondered why we do Christmas musicals?
Christmas musicals probably started as living nativity scenes. When St. Francis of Assisi returned from visiting Bethlehem in the 13th Century, he created one of the first “living” nativities (including live animals!) to inspire the worship of Christ. This motivated other communities throughout the Christian world to stage similar pantomimes.
St. Francis understood how compelling it is for audiences to be immersed in the story of the Incarnation. He knew the human heart cannot help but tremble with joy when the angel proclaims, “I’ve got good news for you—and all of humanity.”
Through the centuries, simple nativity scenes evolved into elaborate dramatic and musical productions. Whether their audiences were illiterate peasants or well-heeled royalty, the goal remained the same: to inspire the worship of Christ.
When it comes to Christmas, words aren’t enough. That’s why we combine voices and instruments with drama and backdrops and multi-media to reveal the deep mystery of Christmas: that Christ—knowing how truly fallen we are—steps into human flesh to redeem and ransom us.
The revelation that God knows and still cares is overwhelming. So the opportunity to relive that First Noel through song and pageantry is simply irresistible.
There is no better time of year to engage the imaginations of those outside the doors of the Church; nor is there a better time to inspire those who faithfully fill our pews.
As you begin to plan this year’s Christmas music, here are some ways Discover Worship can help you inspire the worship of Christ:
- Consider performing one of Discover Worship’s new Christmas musicals or collections.
- Pick from many different Christmas musicals or collections in our catalog.
- Assemble your own musical from the more than 160 Christmas anthems, medleys and suites in our library.
- Create your own unique Christmas program by supplementing existing selections in your choir’s library with fresh, new releases from Discover Worship’s catalog.
- Complement your Adult Choir pieces with Children’s Choir and Instrumental selections available from Discover Worship.
- Check out www.dramaministry.com for nearly 100 Christmas-themed dramas, comedies, monologues and reader’s theatre selections.
Discover Worship provides affordable christmas musicals for small church choir--or large church choirs for that matter! We're here to help you make this coming Christmas the best ever for your choir and congregation.