VaShawn Mitchell – The Secret Of Worship

CCM: December is here. We find ourselves in the momentum of the holidays. As someone who facilitates a service of worship through music year-round, I’m curious, how do you think musical worship is important throughout our Christmas celebrations?
VM: Living in a world that has made Christmas about gift giving and trees, it is vital for our music to continue to rehearse the true reason for the season. Jesus said, “I come that you might have life and life more abundantly.” Rather than define “abundance” by the gifts we are able to afford to give and receive, we have a unique opportunity to focus our attention and that of our congregations on the abundant love of God demonstrated in the gift of His Son. We have to reinforce this message, not just during the holidays but as often as we can.

CCM: Holidays can be hard. “Jingle Bells” and holly-jolly is contrasted by circumstances of our real, everyday lives. How do you reconcile or manage the glitter of the Christmas season with the challenges of real life hardships?
VM: Remembering the birth of Jesus and why I am on this earth is how I manage tough seasons. Like anyone else, though I may face hardships, I am okay because I have a comforter who was born, died and rose again for me. Regardless of the roughness of the road, my comfort is found in knowing I do not travel this road alone.