As nature lies dormant and a frosty layer of ice and snow coat the bare landscape outside, we often retreat indoors. Creation sinks into deep shades of blue and gray, heralding a new year and luring us into a time of hibernation where we’re forced to embrace a succession of short days and cold nights in order to prepare for the anticipated spring ahead. A time of reflection that lends itself to deep soul work, this wistful season of winter has a soundtrack all its own. So for the quiet mornings of solitude warmed by the heat of a blazing fire, the thoughtful conversations shared over a steaming cup of coffee or the sweet moments enriched by the familiarity of home and family, here are seven wintertime worship songs for this annual season of renewal.
“Good Plans”
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“Good Plans” immediately became a fan favorite when Red Red Rocks Worship released their new album, “Ascend,” last summer. The lyrics penned for “Good Plans” are based on Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name…” The striking imagery of this Psalm, and in turn this song, paints a beautiful picture of the Lord’s gracious care and enduring comfort. Whether we find ourselves in a barren place or a fruitful season to start the new year, the message of “Good Plans” reminds us our Heavenly Father will never leave or forsake us; and His plans for us are always good.
“In The Room”
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If you’ve ever doubted the nearness of God, Maverick City Music’s single, “In The Room,” is for you. Led by the group’s Naomi Raine, the building anthem also features special guest and powerhouse vocalist Tasha Cobbs Leonard. “Just go ask Daniel if our God will bring you out, and he will testify He shuts the lion’s mouth,” the ladies attest. “Go ask those Hebrew boys if He’ll stick by your side, they will identify the fourth man in the fire.” “This song is about the presence of Jesus in our toughest moments, reminding us that He’s by our side through it all,” Maverick City Music shares of the powerful sentiment behind the original track. “For anyone in the middle of a seemingly impossible situation, here’s a reminder that God is with you and can bring you out of any circumstance.”
“Bless God”
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Brooke Ligertwood admits the Bible is full of stories where God blesses His children. So it might seem counter-intuitive to sing a song about blessing the Giver of all good gifts. Yet, that’s exactly what her new single, “Bless God,” does. The passionate ballad extols the virtues of our Creator and gives us numerous ways to lift up the name of Jesus. The GRAMMY®-winning songstress wrote “Bless God” with Brandon Lake and Cody Carnes and recorded her own version of the track for her latest studio effort, “EIGHT.” “Blessing and glorifying God is a pathway to the preciousness of His presence and the unspeakable riches and treasures of the joy therein,” Ligertwood contends of the heartbeat behind the song. “We bless God because we’re made to. We bless God because we need to… We bless God because Scripture invites us to, encourages us to, and commands us to.”
“Shelter”
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Pat Barrett discovers a safe haven in the arms of his Savior on his latest single, “Shelter,” which was inspired by Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” The title-cut of his new 12-song project speaks of our desperate, consistent need for Jesus and the rest we find in the shelter of His strong arms. “The more life you live, the more hurt that stacks up and the more things don’t go your way. You have to put all of that somewhere, and I want God to be the One I turn to. In all of that, He becomes a shelter,” Barrett shares of the sentiment behind the selection he co-wrote with Cody Carnes. “What else could possibly hold the complexity and the intensity and the joy and the suffering? What other place can handle all that?”
“People of Heaven"
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Ahead of their buzzworthy “Summer Worship Nights” tour last year, Phil Wickham and Brandon Lake joined forces for “People of Heaven,” a brand new song that sets our sights on eternity. The worship powerhouses closed each of the summer’s 16 shows with the electric celebration of the hereafter complete with blinding sprays of rainbow-colored confetti. Yet, the summertime anthem can offer just as much solace, celebration and hope in the midst of winter. “Y’all, it’s a praise party and a joy bomb all rolled into one,” the duo describes of the one-off single they wrote in an hour’s time in advance of their arena trek, on which they shared co-billing for the first time. The song’s thoughtful lyrics declare: “Saved and set apart / Ashes into art / Children of the King / Every promise kept / Only hope ahead / Lift your heart and sing… We’re gonna live forever.”
“More Like Jesus”
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Emerging collective One Voice Worship wants to look “More Like Jesus” on their debut single. The piano-fueled song speaks to the truth of Galatians 5:24: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.” The passionate plea is led by worship leader Canaan Baca and is featured on the Seattle-based group’s first full-length album, “The Table,” which released last fall. Baca boldly begins the initial verse of “More Like Jesus” by commenting on the culturally accepted definition of freedom and modern society’s widespread spin on individual truth. He goes on to declare that true freedom and absolute truth can only be found in a life lived with and for Jesus. Backed by a choir of voices — courtesy of One Voice Worship — Baca then launches into a chorus that asks the Father to crucify his flesh and mold him into the image of His Son.
“Trust In God”
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Bringing “Blessed Assurance” into the 21st century, “Trust In God” is one of many standout selections on Elevation Worship’s live project, “CAN YOU IMAGINE?” with a bridge that affirms the sweet communion we share with the Father through prayer. Co-writer Chris Brown cites Psalm 125:1 as inspiration: “Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever.” Additionally, Psalm 34:4 provides the baseline for the bridge: “I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.” “I think it’s a great confession that we can all individually make or corporately make as a church body. It feels good to kind of preach to yourself,” reasons Brown, who sings lead on the personal declaration. “Every single morning, I want my prayer to be, ‘Jesus, I choose to follow You, deny myself and take up my cross.’ No matter what, I’ve got a Savior who’s with me, who’s for me, and that’s enough for me. So whatever today holds, that’s my choice, that’s my decision — to trust Him.”
