Ok be honest, you love to sing don’t you…maybe not in public, but I bet when you are alone in the car you belt out some Three Dog Night, or maybe “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks. It’s ok, we all do it, we humans love to sing – some good, some not so good! But since the beginning of recorded history, we see people that would raise their voice in song.
We sing about love, loss, what makes us happy or sad. We sing about our hopes and dreams and what makes us laugh. I believe there is also a longing in each of us to sing to our creator. Psalms 95:2 reads “let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, let us shout joyfully to him with Psalms.”
Whether you like Christmas songs or not, the Christmas season creates many opportunities for singing. “Joy to the World,” “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” are perennial favorites.
One of my fondest memories of Christmas growing up was the Christmas Eve service we attended each year at church. We would all gather together as a congregation, hear a few words from our pastor, then we would sing songs about Christ’s birth and our salvation. I remember the final song every year because it was my favorite, Silent Night. We would dim the auditorium lights, then one by one we would light the candles we were all holding. As a kid I loved the flickering lights and the soft glow of the room. Even then I could feel there was something holy about voices lifted up in praise to God, it has always felt like a perfect expression of Love to our creator.
We all live very busy lives and often we can get distracted with all that is happening around us. Regardless of your circumstance this Christmas season, remember we have so much to be Joyful about. A willing Savior was born to rescue us from ourselves because there was simply no other way. He was willing to endure physical torture, even willing to die. But ultimately, he rose again and was willing to ascend to be our constant advocate before God the father.
During this season of celebration, take time to show God your complete love and devotion through time with him. Make a joyful noise to our creator…even if you’re alone in your car.
Merry Christmas,
Jeff Bennett
Executive Director