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Churches use carols, symbols to preach message of Jesus’ birth
By KASSIA MICEK
Each Christmas, as preachers tell Gospel stories of Jesus’ birth, the messages are emphasized by carols and this year was no different with multiple Montgomery County congregations singing the traditional tunes.
Music plays an important role in the story of Christmas, with songs illustrating what it was like during the first Christmas.
“The feast day of Christmas itself is a reminder that God became human and lived among us,” said the Rev. Dave Sugeno, associate rector at St. James the Apostle Episcopal Church. “That’s a cause for incredible joy. Most of the music … expresses that intense joy. … A lot of the music also represents a deep awe that could have happened.”
Hymns sung at St. James for Christmas included traditional favorites “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “Joy to the World,” “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” and “What Child is This?”
“What Child is This” came from verses of William Chatterton Dix’s 1865 poem “The Manger Throne” set to the tune of “Greensleeves.”
The song was also sung at First Presbyterian Church in Conroe, said the Rev. Scott Cummings, associate pastor.
“We’re using songs that focus on what it really meant for Jesus to come as a child,” he said, adding the song asked the question of who Christ will be. “It’s kind of about discovering who Christ is.”
It’s not just the sounds of Christmas that helped Christians celebrate, but also the sights, such as the Chrismon Tree at First Presbyterian Church which was decorated with symbols of Jesus instead of traditional ornaments as a reminder that the holiday is religious, Cummings said.
Greenery and wreaths made of evergreens also symbolize God’s never ending love, he said.
Purple banners fill the church to symbolize royalty, Cummings said.
“Each different time of the year has a color during the church season,” he said.
A candlelight service at West Conroe Baptist Church ended with the song “Silent Night” to symbolize God and church members as the “light of the world,” said Margie Serio, the church’s business administrator. The church was also decorated with poinsettias.
“We decorate with poinsettias that are donated by members in memory of loved ones,” she said.
At St. James, an advent wreath is placed beside the altar.
“Advent is a time for his coming again,” Sugeno said about Jesus. “This is a time for us to prepare ourselves and to make sure we’re living in God’s vision for his second coming.”
Music plays an important role in the story of Christmas, with songs illustrating what it was like during the first Christmas.
“The feast day of Christmas itself is a reminder that God became human and lived among us,” said the Rev. Dave Sugeno, associate rector at St. James the Apostle Episcopal Church. “That’s a cause for incredible joy. Most of the music … expresses that intense joy. … A lot of the music also represents a deep awe that could have happened.”
Hymns sung at St. James for Christmas included traditional favorites “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “Joy to the World,” “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” and “What Child is This?”
“What Child is This” came from verses of William Chatterton Dix’s 1865 poem “The Manger Throne” set to the tune of “Greensleeves.”
The song was also sung at First Presbyterian Church in Conroe, said the Rev. Scott Cummings, associate pastor.
“We’re using songs that focus on what it really meant for Jesus to come as a child,” he said, adding the song asked the question of who Christ will be. “It’s kind of about discovering who Christ is.”
It’s not just the sounds of Christmas that helped Christians celebrate, but also the sights, such as the Chrismon Tree at First Presbyterian Church which was decorated with symbols of Jesus instead of traditional ornaments as a reminder that the holiday is religious, Cummings said.
Greenery and wreaths made of evergreens also symbolize God’s never ending love, he said.
Purple banners fill the church to symbolize royalty, Cummings said.
“Each different time of the year has a color during the church season,” he said.
A candlelight service at West Conroe Baptist Church ended with the song “Silent Night” to symbolize God and church members as the “light of the world,” said Margie Serio, the church’s business administrator. The church was also decorated with poinsettias.
“We decorate with poinsettias that are donated by members in memory of loved ones,” she said.
At St. James, an advent wreath is placed beside the altar.
“Advent is a time for his coming again,” Sugeno said about Jesus. “This is a time for us to prepare ourselves and to make sure we’re living in God’s vision for his second coming.”
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