Looking for worship songs you can sing during this year’s Christmas Eve church service? You’re in luck! This guide explores contemporary praise songs and classic Christmas carols perfect for this unique day in the Church calendar. Create an atmosphere of peace, awe, and celebration with these beautiful Christmas Eve worship songs that celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Embracing the Sacred Atmosphere of Christmas Eve Worship
Christmas Eve offers Christians a unique time to contemplate the story of the nativity with holy reverence. A Christmas Eve service offers quiet anticipation in a communal worship space.
Songs Celebrating the Angels’ Joyful Proclamation
As you prepare your worship setlist, think back to the story in the Gospel of Luke:
Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:13-14, NIV).
On that holy night more than two thousand years ago, a worship service kicked things off. Remind your congregation that they are joining in this celebration of hope, peace, and joy.
[H3] Suggested Christmas Eve Worship Songs
Angels We Have Heard on High
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing,
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
This song focuses on the biblical story of how angels announced Jesus’ birth to a group of shepherds. The song invites us (through the eyes of the shepherds) to witness and adore our newborn Savior. Perfect for your Christmas Eve worship service, it calls the congregation together to rejoice with the angels in worship. For that reason, its celebratory tone is also reverent and reflects the joy of the Christmas season.
Find this song on WorshipHouse Media: Angels We Have Heard on High
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild;
God and sinners reconciled.”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With angelic hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
This classic Christmas carol proclaims God’s offer of reconciliation through the birth of Christ. It echoes the angel chorus’ joyful proclamation. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” beautifully captures the essence of the holiday. The song affirms the birth of Jesus as a time of peace and hope. This song can help set the tone for a worship service focused on God’s mercy and love.
Find this song on WorshipHouse Media: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Christmas Eve Carols of Worship and Adoration
Encourage the congregation to draw close to Christ with open hearts as they reflect on how Jesus is the King of Kings. These Christmas Eve worship songs inspire adoration and devotion as believers come together to worship.
Suggested Christmas Eve Worship Songs
O Come, All Ye Faithful
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him, born the King of Angels
O come, let us adore Him
This song proclaims Jesus’ kingship and divine presence, inviting Christians to gather to worship Jesus Christ. Create a moment of shared adoration for the congregation. Encourage them to experience a collective reverence as they glorify the newborn king together.
Find this song on WorshipHouse Media: O Come, All Ye Faithful
O Holy Night
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
This beloved song rouses us with its powerful chorus to acknowledge with awe the holiness of Christ’s birth and the profound impact of its transformative hope for our weary world. “O Holy Night” is a perfect addition to your Christmas Eve worship service, calling for deep reverence and a sense of awe. The song will encourage your congregation to pause in reflection. It will also highlight the holiness of the night Jesus was born. Not only that, but these lyrics capture the solemnity of Christmas Eve when it invites worshippers to reflect on the significance of the “night divine.”
Find this song on WorshipHouse Media: O Holy Night
What Child Is This? (Indescribable)
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud
The Babe, the Son of Mary
Indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky
And You know them by name
You are amazing, God
All powerful, untameable
Awestruck, we fall to our knees
As we humbly proclaim
You are amazing, God
Don’t be afraid to put a fresh spin on the classic Christmas carols. Uniting traditional carol lyrics with a contemporary reflection on God’s wonders, this version of “What Child Is This?” combined with the contemporary praise song “Indescribable” creates a reflection on the wonders of God. Use this musical mashup to lead your congregation in marveling at God’s majesty and Jesus’ divine kingship. Its awe-inspired tone is perfect for Christmas Eve because it allows us to reflect on the miraculous birth and the mystery of God incarnate. Its wonder-filled tone is perfect for Christmas Eve, reflecting on the miraculous birth and the mystery of God incarnate.
Find this song on WorshipHouse Media: What Child Is This? (Indescribable)
Christmas Eve Worship Songs for Peace and Contemplation
Offer your congregation a time of peace and contemplation. With these Christmas Eve worship songs, believers can meditate on the love and grace that Jesus offers while experiencing a sense of calm amid the holiday excitement–a perfect opportunity for inner reflection.
Suggested Christmas Eve Worship Songs
The First Noel
Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heav’nly Lord;
That hath made Heav’n and earth of naught,
And with His blood mankind hath bought.
A Christmas staple, “The First Noel” tells the story of Christ’s birth while inviting all to join in praise. Its narrative style draws the congregation into a peaceful reflection on the nativity story, making it a reverent choice for your Christmas Eve worship service.
Find this song on WorshipHouse Media: The First Noel
Silent Night
Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Composed more than 200 years ago, “Silent Night” emphasizes the quiet peace and love surrounding Christ’s birth. Use this hymn to center your congregation’s focus on Jesus’ presence as the light of the world. Invite worshippers to meditate on Jesus’ peaceful entrance into the world as they sing.
Find this song on WorshipHouse Media: Silent Night
Silent Night (Wonderful Peace)
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born
Peace, Peace, wonderful peace
Flowing down from the father above
Sweep over my spirit forever I pray
In fathomless billows of love
This version of “Silent Night” blends the famous Christmas carol with the hymn “Wonderful Peace.” Echo the tranquil spirit of Christmas Eve as you help worshippers focus on God’s gift of peace in a way that resonates deeply on the night before Christ’s birth.
Find this song on WorshipHouse Media: Silent Night (Wonderful Peace)
Response of the Church: Worship Songs to Shout With Joy!
End your Christmas Eve service on a powerful note by encouraging your church members to respond with joy and gusto. The following joyful worship songs will encourage your congregation to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ with resounding hope.
Suggested Christmas Eve Worship Songs
Go Tell It on the Mountain
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
This feel-good Christmas carol celebrates the message of Jesus’ birth and calls the church to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Let this joyful response call your church to action to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the world.
Find this song on WorshipHouse Media: Go Tell It on the Mountain
Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy)
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
repeat the sounding joy …
Joy, unspeakable joy
And overflowing where no tongue can tell
Joy, unspeakable joy
Rises in my soul, never lets me go
Close out your Christmas Eve worship service with a declaration of Christ’s kingship over all creation. “Joy to the World” invites all to celebrate his reign with an overflowing joy. The added lyrics from “Unspeakable Joy” resonate with deep, lasting joy.
Find this song on WorshipHouse Media: Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy)
Reflect on the Birth of Jesus
This curated list of worship songs has been thoughtfully chosen to help you create a powerful Christmas Eve worship experience. With this well-balanced mix of carols, hymns, and praise songs, your congregation can reflect on Christ’s birth meaningfully before Christmas day. Invite your church to worship and celebrate peacefully amidst the bustling Christmas season.
