(ABP) — The starting date and finish line for singing carols in church depend on whether a congregation follows the Christian calendar or the Hallmark calendar — and how constrained worship leaders feel by their choice.
Many churches begin singing carols immediately after Thanksgiving and sing as many favorites as possible before the poinsettias are removed from the sanctuary on Christmas.
Some churches that strictly adhere to the liturgical Christian calendar sing only Advent hymns — songs anticipating the birth of Jesus, such as O Come, O Come, Emmanuel — until either Christmas Eve or Christmas day.
At that point, they continue singing carols until Epiphany Sunday in early January –observed in some Christian traditions the 12th day after Christmas to mark the time with Christ's birth was revealed to the Magi.
Other churches straddle the middle ground — observing the four Sundays of Advent and recognizing the Christian calendar but not feeling tied down by it.
At First Baptist Church in Paris, Texas, Christmas carols begin the first Sunday after Thanksgiving, which usually coincides with the first Sunday of Advent.
This year, minister of music J.K. Weger has tried to group the carols and other elements of worship around the theme of the candle on the Advent wreath for that week — hope, peace, love and joy — building to the lighting of the Christ candle at a Christmas Eve service.
“Each year is different,” Weger noted, pointing to the different ways the church integrates various age groups into musical programs and worship services. But one constant remains: “We never sing Christmas carols after Christmas day.”
Similarly, First Baptist Church in Amarillo sings carols throughout the four Sundays of Advent, beginning with hymns of anticipation and hope and moving toward joy and celebration, said Minister of Music Lanny Allen.
Hymn selections, musical ensembles and orders of worship vary from one year to the next, he added.
While the seasonal decorations may remain on display in the sanctuary until the first Sunday of the New Year, the carols end at Christmas rather than Epiphany Sunday, he noted.
“We've come a long way just observing Advent,” Allen said.
Calder Baptist Church in Beaumont fully embraces the pageantry and symbolism of Advent, with worship leaders donning robes and stoles for the season.
“I love the colors, smells, bells and whistles of everything surrounding the season,” said Ed Wilson, associate pastor and minister of music.
Calder Church continues the celebration through Epiphany Sunday. But Wilson doesn't feel constrained to hold off on all carols until Christmas Eve — just the most celebrative ones.
“We begin the first Sunday of Advent and try to crowd in as many as we can, with medleys of two or three at each service,” he said. “We may get in six weeks of carols, if we're lucky.”
But in keeping with the church's commitment to the liturgical tradition, Wilson groups the carols thematically. He begins with the hymns of anticipation such as Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, and each week begins incorporating into the service more of the carols announcing and celebrating Christ's birth.
“I follow a timeline as we move closer to Bethlehem,” he said.
First Baptist Church in Abilene generally follows the Christian calendar, observing the four Sundays of Advent and building from the prophetic to the celebrative, but exactly how that takes shape differs from one year to the next, said Minister of Music Todd Wilson.
Often, the musical choices are shaped by sermon topics and worship emphases, he noted. For instance, a December Sunday devoted to a global missions emphasis includes carols such as Go, Tell it on the Mountain.
Whether the church ends its yuletide celebration the Sunday nearest Christmas or whether it continues into January varies from year to year, depending on how much emphasis Pastor Phil Christopher decides to make of Epiphany Sunday in his sermons, he added.
“Our church seems richer because so many of our members come from more diverse denominational backgrounds than many Baptist churches I've known,” Wilson said, noting many are more steeped in liturgical traditions than most Baptists.
“We also benefit from the influence of Logsdon Seminary professors here. And I find that very refreshing, constantly making new discoveries.”