Every year, the search for the perfect Christmas worship song setlist takes place. Sure, we always have our favorites that we love to throw into the rotation, but each year we have an opportunity to mix things up and sprinkle in something different.
We’ve gone through and collected some of our favorite classic Christmas worship songs for churches, while mixing in some contemporary covers and merry medleys along the way.
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- Joy To The World (Joyful, Joyful) – Phil Wickham
This classic has an enchanting background chorus part added that allows backup singers and choir to take part. And of course, we love Phil Wickham’s trademark high notes. - O Come, O Come Emmanuel / Come Thou Long Expected Jesus – The Petersens
A great way to honor a classic without making dramatic changes, is to combine it with another great classic for a medley. This spliced version of O Come, O Come Emmanuel and Come Thou Long Expected Jesus features a great use of acapella and stringed instruments that can be done with a small group or a full band.
- Go Tell It On The Mountain – Zach Williams
Go Tell It On The Mountain is one of the best Christmas worship songs to get your congregation dancing and clapping along with. That’s why we love this contemporary take from Zach Williams with plenty of “big band” feel to it, while maintaining the classic spirit of the original.
- Angels We Have Heard On High – Awaken Worship
Another amazing Christmas worship song with one of the most recognizable choruses:
Gloria
In Excelsis Deo
Awaken Worship has a great version of this that features a folk-style tune and invites the worshipers to join in the praise. - God With Us – Terrian
This beautiful worship song by Terrian Woods features a haunting, yet uplifting melody with a piano accompaniment that starts off slow and builds up to a rallying cry of praise and glory. Perfect for solo or even with a full choir.
- King of Kings – Hillsong
King of Kings encapsulates the redeeming love of our Savior as it tells the story of Jesus coming to earth to ultimately die for our sins and redeem mankind. Hillsong’s version translates well for most churches with a full band to add to their Christmas worship song setlist.
- Hark The Herald Angels Sing – Jeremy Riddle & Steffany Gretzinger
Another caroling classic (aren’t they all?), Hark the Herald Angels Sing proclaims the majesty of Jesus and His birth. This version by Jeremy Riddle and Steffany Gretzinger is a great example of this song used during a time of worship.
- Reckless Love – Cory Asbury
While you may play this song year round, the overarching theme of God coming to Earth and suffering for mankind paints the picture of why Christmas is such an important occasion to celebrate.
- Here I Am To Worship / O Come Let Us Adore Him – Caleb and Kelsey
This beautiful medley duet is a wonderful mashup of two classic worship songs that tie the theme of Christmas and worship together.
- Hope Has A Name – Passion featuring Kristian Stanfill
This beautiful song captures the essence of the Christmas story, a story of a Savior bringing hope, healing and redemption to a broken world.
You can find even more Christmas worship songs and their videos through the links below. - Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee – Michael W. Smith
- We Wish You (A Merry, Peaceful, Wonderful Christmas) – Phil Wickham
- O Come All Ye Faithful – Awaken Worship
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – MercyMe
- What Child is This? – Chris Tomlin ft. All Sons and Daughters
- Glory in the Highest – Chris Tomlin
- The First Noel – Lauren Daigle
- Here Comes Heaven – Elevation Worship
- Crown Him [Majesty] – Chris Tomlin ft. Kari Jobe
- O Holy Night – Awaken Worship
- BONUS: Really, there’s something about the more childlike tunes that lift spirits when you get to sing them with the rest of your church. Don’t be afraid to sprinkle something like Jingle Bells or Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer in somewhere to have a little fun and see your congregations’ eyes light up at the unexpected surprise.Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer – Kim Walker-Smith
- Joy To The World (Joyful, Joyful) – Phil Wickham