Singing the Songs of Christmas
November 28 – December 19
Gathering together to sing Christmas carols is one of the most traditional ways to celebrate the joy of the holiday season. But for many centuries, the religious authorities rejected carols as unsuitable for church use. Christmas hymns—rich in theology concerning the Incarnation—date back to the fourth century, and monasteries developed special music for Advent and Christmas in the tenth century.
But carols are different: They originated in local communities, and used the vernacular. Often written by people with limited education, they don’t always accurately reflect the gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth. And yet many are far from “simple.” In addition to telling the story of Christmas, they explore the implications of Christmas truths. Some contain “subversive” or political themes, while others express heartfelt joy—even in the midst of life’s difficulties.
Through this Advent series, we will explore some well known and much loved Christmas carols, the stories behind them, and the truths they reveal. We will examine the elements of Christmas that are “subversive” in our own context, and celebrate with the joy the significance of Christ’s birth for us today.
| Date | Message Title | Speaker |
| Nov 28 | O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Hope) | Matthew |
| Dec 5 | Silent Night (Peace) | Matthew |
| Dec 12 | Angels From The Realms Of Glory (Love) | Ruth |
| Dec 19 | Go Tell It On The Mountain (Joy) | Various |
In-Person and Online Sunday Services
Welcome!
Cedar Ridge Community Church is a diverse, open, and affirming community of followers of Jesus, sharing God’s love with everyone and working to make the world a better place for all. We invite you to join us on our journey of growing to be more loving people who recognize that change must begin with us.