“A hymn should be a prayer set to music,” says the Rev. Gerrit Barnes of Denver’s Christ Church (Episcopal). “It should follow the idea of ‘make a joyful noise unto the Lord.”’ Ideas change about what ...

You know what’s crazy about Christmastime? For as much as we imagine it as a happy time, a season of presents and pretty lights and family, a lot of the carols we sing are actually kind of sad—even ...