Worship Review // Paul Baloche // Christmas Worship

Album: Christmas Worship
Artist: Paul Baloche
Label: Integrity Music
Release: October 29, 2013

Merry Christmas Everyone! Too early? If you serve in the worship ministry you know Christmas planning can start in September, or January, depending on how quickly your wheels start turning. That’s why I was so excited to get my hands on Paul Baloche’s first ever Christmas album. Because of the nature of the album the review will be looked at from both the view of congregational worship and that of a special worship event.

Hark The Herald Angels Sing / King Of Heaven // The song starts with a fun mix of acoustic finger picking and the vocal “Hey”‘s that we’ve all come to love. The more I listen to this song, the more I really dig it. Baloche pays tribute to the original, but then slides into King Of Heaven seamlessly. Lyrically it’s beautiful to sing of this new born king, and then go into proclaiming how he is strong to save in his mighty name. This would be a great addition to a Sunday morning service or special event, having the ability to make it as big as you want with electrics or even breaking it down to just an acoustic set.

O Come All Ye Faithful / We Adore You // Have a choir? Use them! The tradition of this song is held, but the percussion keeps it lively. The song has a tag at the end of We Adore You. No need to teach it to the congregation, it’s super easy and repeats a bunch of times.

Angels Instrumental // Again, pretty acoustic guitar finger picking. Utilize this to get into the next track, especially at the beginning of the worship service.

Angels We Have Heard On High (Deo) // What a fun song!! Can you tell I love it? The acoustics driving this song mixed with the fun percussion for some reason scream Christmas to me and it’s wonderful. The added chorus is easy for a congregation to learn. If you have a worship choir, this is a place to include them. You can do this at both a worship service or special Christmas event, and you should.

Offering // An oldie, but a goodie. As his first Christmas album it makes sense why Baloche would include this song. He adds a gospel flair to this version that I’m certainly fond of, but depending on your choir or lack there of, you may not be able to re-create it. If you choose to use this song without a choir I say go with a simpler stripped down version, this one is all about the lyrics anyway. Seeing as this song has been around for a little while, your congregation probably knows it and it would be a better fit into a worship service than a special worship event.

This Is Love / Come Thou Long Expected Jesus // While beautiful, this is more of a special, special event, or personal listening music choice.

Follow That Star // Not your typical Christmas song, although very catchy. This is another one that is not a congregational worship song. Enjoy this one while driving in your car and sing along.

Your Name // I think we all know this one, although lately I’ve been hearing different versions of it and each time I’m reminded why people are still singing it, it’s gorgeous. Baloche changes the lyrics in the first verse to reflect Christmas and Christ’s birth and also adds an ending repeating “God with us Emmanuel”, I’m into it . This is a track that any church can do, no matter what your worship set-up is. The orchestration of this track doesn’t need to be duplicated to do it well. If you can get the mandolin sound, great! If not, you can still lead your congregation with this song!

O Come Emmanuel // True to the original this song has some dark elements to it with the harmony. I think it’s great for including in your Christmas playlist on iTunes.

Joy To The World / Shout For Joy // I’ve done this song at both a Sunday service and Christmas Night of Worship, and will hopefully be doing it again this year. It’s another great opportunity to add your worship choir if you have one! It’s easy for the congregation to pick up. I love ending the song with more of an a cappella feel.

Prepare Him Room // “Let every heart prepare Him room” Beautiful lyrics, though I don’t expect anything less from Paul & Rita Baloche. After listening to this one a few times I think you could include this on Sunday. The string work on this song makes it for me. Who doesn’t love a good string arrangement? You could do it without, or manipulate your keyboard to get close to that sound, or go pure acoustic. You’ll need to teach this one, but that chorus is worth it.

What Can I Do (Christmas Version) // Both verses have been changed lyrically on this one and the chorus stays the same as the original. He ends the song with a very pretty and traditional version of O Come All Ye Faithful. If you’ve done the original for a service, you can absolutely do this on a Sunday. Lyrically, it’s great to reflect on Christ leaving His throne to live beside us, knowing that He would go on to suffer, then rise victorious, and sing out “What can I do but thank you”. You can definitely use this on a Sunday.

There are some great opportunities for your church in this album, no matter how big or small you may be. Get creative and don’t be afraid to strip some of these songs down if you have to in order to fit your worship team.