Christmas Music
The people who
walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep
darkness, on them has light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast
increased its joy; they rejoice before thee as with joy at the harvest…
For to us a
child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his
shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. "Of the increase of his government
and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his
kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and for evermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do
this.
Musing
Who hears these words and doesn’t automatically hear Handle’s Messiah playing? I can’t. I was going to use the Common English Bible translation and just couldn’t bring myself to do it. It didn’t sound right even when I was reading it silently. One of the things that makes Christmas, Christmas is the music.
Music is so important to my life and to our life of
faith and that is one reason this pandemic is so difficult to manage. One way
we cope and survive and find a way is through music, singing, being part of a
community gathered in song to celebrate, to remember, to lament, and to grieve.
And we know that right now, given the reality of what we are living through
this activity that is so much a part of our life of faith could literally kill
so we don’t do it, at least not with others in the same space.
In thinking about Christmas and music I wondered if there is a difference between a Christmas song, a Christmas carol, and a Christmas hymn. Apparently, there is a difference between the three. Here is what I found:
W
Christmas
Songs are popular songs
specifically about Christmas, but are typically not overtly religious.
W
Christmas
Hymns are religious and
specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration, or prayer; and in
the Christian tradition typically addressed to God.
W
Christmas
Carols are songs in
which a religious topic is treated in a style that is familiar or festive.
Christmas carols are traditional and not tied to a specific religious
context. A Christmas carol has lyrics about Christmas themes or
the winter season.
(From
the website: https://buildfaith.org/christmas-song-christmas-carol-or-christmas-hymn/)
What’s your favorite Christmas song, hymn, or carol? So many run through my mind and heart: “Still, Still, Still,” “The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy,” “I Wonder as I Wander,” “Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine,” “Mary, Did You Know,” “Some Children See Him,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “Carol of the Bells,” “What Child Is This,” and of course “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” and “Silent Night” all come rushing to mind. But at least for this year and maybe for all years my favorite Christmas hymn is “Do You Hear What I Hear.”
I like this one because it focuses on the all-encompassing nature
of God’s grace for the entirety of creation. The wind, lamb, the shepherd boy,
the king, and people everywhere each identify a segment of creation that is
impacted by Jesus’ birth. And the hymn ends with a prayer for peace and a declaration
of faith “He will bring us goodness and light. He will bring us goodness and
light.”
I’ve already been singing my guts out to all our Christmas music. I have played our CDs and what I have stored on my computer and phone. I’ve read through the Hymnal and “The Faith We Sing” and “Worship and Song.” I’ve sought out YouTube videos and sung with them all. It isn’t the same, true but this year it is what we do.
Find your Christmas music groove and let go. It will brighten your day and it will help you cope. Don’t be hesitant to sing along and sing loudly. As Mary Carpenter wisely advised us:
Sing, sing a song, sing out loud, sing out strong.
Sing of good things not bad, sing of happy not sad.
Sing, sing a song. Make it simple to last your whole life long,
Don't' worry that it's not enough for anyone else to hear.
Just sing, sing a song,
Songwriters: Joseph G. Raposo Sing lyrics © The Joe Raposo Music Group Inc
Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.
Prayer
May this eternal truth
be always on our hearts
That the God who
breathed this world into being
Placed stars into the
heavens
And designed a
butterfly's wing
Is the God who
entrusted his son
to the care of
ordinary people
became vulnerable that
we might know
how strong is the
wonder of Love
A mystery so deep it
is impossible to grasp
A mystery so beautiful
it is impossible to ignore
— Copyright © John
Birch, posted on Faith and Worship - Prayers and Resources
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