I love Christmas music but sometimes it can be a challenge to find great Christmas songs that a congregation can truly worship with. Sometimes we sing songs just because they are traditional and they have a Christmas theme but they really aren’t worship songs. They cover the bases by being about Christmas but really don’t point our hearts towards the Author of Christmas.
One of the ways that I have worked to overcome that problem is to write Christmas lyrics for some of the top worship songs. Below I have put a list of my favourite Christmas songs and also songs from my regular worship list that I have added Christmas lyrics to. I would love your feedback! (I’ve also put in YouTube links to the original versions).
Angels We Have Heard On High ~ Chris Tomlin | James Chadwick
Away in A Manger ~ Traditional version (this is the Billy Gilman version)
10,000 Reasons ~ Jonas Myrin | Matt Redman (Christmas lyrics: Mark Cole)
Verse 1 This Child was born as a gift from heaven A gift from God sent to save the world The angels sang His praise as the star shone all around them ‘Glory to God and peace on earth to men’ Chorus Bless the Lord O my soul, O my soul Worship His holy name Sing like never before, O my soul I worship Your holy Name. Verse 2 The shepherds came on that glorious ev’ning They came to see the Child sent down from God They knelt and worshipped in that lowly manger The promised gift of the Messiah come Verse 3 And Lord today I give all my worship I give my life as an offering For You are worthy of all praise unending Ten thousand years and then forevermore © 2011 Said And Done Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) SHOUT! Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)Come Thou Long Expected Jesus ~ Chris Tomlin version
Hark The Herald ~ Jeremy Riddle version
Here I Am To Worship ~ Tim Hughes (Christmas lyrics: Mark Cole)
Verse 1 Emmanuel, You stepped down lived among us Born as a child, yet a King Angels proclaimed of the birth of a Savior Hope of the world sent from God Verse 2 Light of the world, oh so highly exalted Glorious in heaven above Humbly You came to the earth You created All for love’s sake became poor Chorus Here I am to worship Here I am to bow down Here I am to say that You’re my God You’re all together lovely Altogether worthy Altogether wonderful to me Bridge I thank You Lord Your love came down And changed my heart, Emmanuel © 2000 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)Jesus Messiah ~ Chris Tomlin | Daniel Carson | Ed Cash | Jesse Reeves (Christmas lyrics: Mark Cole)
Verse 1 He came as a Child, Who knew no sin God’s Son was sent down, all for love He humbled Himself, the Light of the world Love so amazing, love so amazing Chorus Jesus Messiah Name above all names Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel The rescue for sinners The ransom from heaven Jesus Messiah, Lord of all Verse 2 This Child was a gift, the price for sin A gift sent from God, all for for love The angels sang, ‘God’s peace on earth’ Love so amazing, love so amazing, yeah. Bridge All our hope is in You All our hope is in You All the glory to You, God The Light of the world © 2008 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Vamos Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Wondrously Made Songs (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)Joy To The World (Unspeakable Joy) ~ Chris Tomlin | Ed Cash | George Frideric Handel | Isaac Watts | Matt Gilder
Joy To The World (Joyful Joyful) – Phil Wickham, George Fredrick Handel, Isaac Watts
Let This Christmas Be ~ Mark Cole | Ryan Dahl | Toby Baxley
Verse 1 Creator of the heavens Majesty unknown Behold the newborn Infant The Savior alone Fully God and fully man Help me Lord to understand The power of Your grace Now given to me Chorus Let this Christmas be Christ in me The love of God sent down For the world to see Let the grace You’ve shown Be evident in me Let this Christmas be Christ in me Verse 2 Chosen to be holy Adopted as Your child Tho’ once I lived in darkness Now I’m reconciled God in Christ and Christ in me I embrace this mystery Your gift of grace and love Now given to me Bridge Oh Christ in me The hope of glory More precious than The gifts beneath the tree For the lights and gifts will fade But Your word will remain And the greatest gift of all Is a life that’s been redeemed © 2008 Baxley, Toby (Admin. by PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc.) Dahl, Ryan (Admin. by PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc.) Mark Cole/GT MusicLet Us Adore ~ Reuben Morgan (Christmas lyrics: Mark Cole)
Verse 1 The angel proclaimed, ‘I bring good news Messiah is born in Bethlehem, the Saviour the Lord’ Verse 2 The armies of heav’n gave glory to God For now He has sent His only Son The Light of the world Chorus Let us adore Him, Let us adore Him Jesus Christ is the Lord Verse 3 The shepherds gave praise and glory to God For all they had seen that starry night The Child sent from God Bridge Hallelujah, Hallelujah You are worthy of all praise © 2005 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)O Come All Ye Faithful ~ Chris Tomlin Version
Christmas Offering ~ Paul Baloche
O Holy Night ~ Chris Tomlin Version
Our God ~ Chris Tomlin | Jesse Reeves | Jonas Myrin | Matt Redman (Christmas lyrics: Mark Cole)
Verse 1 A Child in a manger You came A Child sent to rescue the lame There’s no one like You, none like You Verse 2 You are the Hope of the world The light that shines into the dark There’s no one like You, none like You Chorus Our God is greater, our God is stronger God You are higher than any other Our God is healer, awesome in power Our God, our God. Bridge And if our God is for us Then who could ever stop us And if our God is for us Then what could stand against © 2010 Said And Done Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Vamos Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) SHOUT! Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)Silent Night ~ Traditional (My favorite performance version is Mariah Carey’s)
The Joy/Joy To The World ~ Belonging Co.
What A Beautiful Name ~ Ben Fielding | Brooke Ligertwood (Christmas lyrics: Mark Cole)
Christmas Verse 1
You were the Child born in a manger
Sent from God the Lord Most High
The Holy One sent down from heaven
Born to set the captives free
Chorus 1
What a beautiful Name it is
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a beautiful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
Christmas Verse 2
You didn’t want heaven without us
So Jesus You brought heaven down
The angels sang of Your arrival
Good news of great joy for mankind
Chorus 2
What a wonderful Name it is
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a wonderful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
Christmas Bridge
The gift sent from heaven
The Child in a manger
The hope of the world, the gift for all
The heavens are roaring
The praise of Your glory
Messiah, the Saviour has been born
Bridge
You have no rival
You have no equal
Now and forever God You reign
Yours is the kingdom
Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name above all names
Chorus 3
What a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
Ending
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
Your Name ~ Glenn Packiam | Paul Baloche (Christmas lyrics: Mark Cole)
Verse 1 Humbly to the earth You came Born into this world to save God with us, Emmanuel Now we adore Your Name Chorus Your Name… is a strong and mighty tower Your Name… is a shelter like no other Your Name… let the nations sing it louder ‘Cause nothing has the power to save But Your Name Verse 2 Jesus in Your Name we pray Come and fill our hearts today Lord give us strength to live for You And glorify Your Name © 2006 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI)) Vertical Worship Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI)) Check out my new book.. “Leading Worship ~ Notes from a Grand Adventure’ available in Kindle or Soft Cover Editions. This is a great gift for the musician or worshipper in your life.This blog is part of my vision to train over 100,000 worship leaders around the world. If you would like to support this vision you can help by giving any amount via this PayPal account.
Well done Mark. There a quite a few songs you added your talents to. Writing worship songs are not an easy thing to write. One struggles to find the words big enough to describe our love, and feelings to His power and greatness.
Thanks Bob!
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I really like your Christmas Lyric addition to 10,000 Reasons.
Do you have punctuation that I can add to it. As a musician, we sing not just with words but with punctuation for the expressions.
I know that most worship programs do not come with that … so I always add to it.
Blessings
Hi Fred..
Thanks for your comment..
Please feel free to add the punctuation..
Blessings
Mark
Are any of these copyrighted with CCLI to use for services?
Feel free to use them..