Burst into Song
December 13, 2023
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14
I’ve been listening to a lot of Christmas music lately. It’s the soundtrack to my housework, decorating, cooking, and general downtime. But I have to say, I am less than impressed with most of the newer holiday songs. I love romance, time with the family, and giving presents, but that is NOT what Christmas is about. Not to sound like a Grinch, but somewhere along the line, the messaging around Christmas got co-opted and corrupted by a world that is happy to sell trees, decorations, gifts and records, but couldn’t care a wit about the saving of mankind. In fact, several of my least favorite holiday songs promote greed, lust, gluttony and other kinds of sin.
We should never underestimate the power of music and messaging. Anything set to a tune is easier to remember, hence the use of jingles in ads. I’m sure you have a few learning songs rattling around in your brain still, like the Alphabet Song, I before E, or maybe the entire Preamble to the Constitution like I do. And there are plenty of catchy Christian tunes for kids and adults that help us remember key verses, Bible books and more. In the days before widespread literacy, psalms and hymns brought the Bible to the people, especially the Gospel message. Most of the Christmas hymns include the entire Gospel presentation in just 3 or 4 verses.
Back in the early 1970s, my family celebrated Christmas with all the trimmings - but no church, no manger, no Jesus. I suspect this is more the rule than the exception these days. However, my music-loving parents and grandparents had a large collection of Christmas albums: Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis and more. And about half the songs on those albums were Christmas hymns. I sat next to our record player listening and learning the words, wondering what it meant to ‘come and adore Him,’ or ‘prepare Him room.’ I especially pondered ‘…to save us all from Satan’s power when we had gone astray.’ These beautiful hymns were reaching my unchurched heart and mind and laying a foundation for seeking Him later in life.
Additionally, my most beloved Christmas special of all, Charlie Brown’s Christmas, spoke directly to my confused and wondering heart. Is Christmas really about trees and decorations and stuff? Or is there more? Then Linus quoted Luke 2:8-14, about angels, God, Heavenly host and a baby in a manger. “That’s what Christmas is all about…” The Grinch and A Christmas Carol shared a message about personal transformation and an understanding that Christmas is not about the ‘stuff,’ but that the stuff is the outward representation of the inward joy and celebration of a heart transformed by love. They stop just short of saying God’s love in the form of Jesus Christ.
So, my recommendation is to share these songs and shows with your loved ones, especially the kids. Always lean towards the Christmas Carols and Hymns. For hundreds of years, they have been planting seeds of faith wrapped in beautiful, catchy tunes. They join us with a long line of faithful believers all over the world, celebrating the birth of Christ in the good times and bad, during war and peace, famine and plague, persecution and pilgrimage.
Christmas is a miraculous mystery filled with wonder and splendor and the supernatural. No amount of tinsel, shiny lights and fake magic can outshine the marvelous story of God’s amazing love for us which wove together two miracle babies, five angelic visitations, ancient prophecies, celestial wonders, five kings, strange visitors, visions in dreams, and a Roman census. It’s a story that deserves to be told. It’s a story the world needs to hear. It’s a story that God wants us to share.
O Come All Ye Faithful and share your Joy to the World! Go Tell it on the Mountain, that story of the Little Town of Bethlehem and Mary’s Boy Child Away in a Manger. Tell everyone about that Silent Night that Came Upon a Midnight Clear when Angels From the Realms of Glory announced His birth While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks. Tell how they hurried to see, asking What Child Is This? Tell the whole, wide, world about The First Noel, and how Love Came Down at Christmas.
Musical Holiday Blessings,
Jen