The Carols of Christmas
“Sing unto the Lord, for He has done glorious things!”
—
Isn’t this time of year wonderful?
It seems the whole year has been on some sort of countdown to the Advent and Christmas season. I love it!
One of the things that makes the season so special to me is all the music. Why? Because the traditional carols of Christmas conjure up fond memories of Christmases past.
Just hearing these songs again somehow transports us to scenes, thoughts, reflections, and feelings of years gone by. We may even recall some of the dear people in our lives with whom we shared in the singing of these carols.
I guess I will always hear my dear Mother's sweet soprano voice each time I sing "Away In a Manger" and my dear Father's rich baritone voice teaching us how to sing "Silent Night! Holy Night!" in German, and our whole family gathered to sing "O how lovely Is the evening when the Christmas bells are ringing" as part of our annual celebrations! Precious memories indeed!
But these carols do so much more! They unite us together. When we sing the carols of Christmas, it is as if we were singing with all humankind.
Christians throughout the past several centuries have sung these same carols as part of their Christmas worship and celebrations. Likewise, Christians around the world today sing these carols each Christmas as well.
As we sing, we join our voices with theirs – both those from days gone by and other voices near and far – in a collective song of praise to God for sending of His Son, our Savior, Redeemer, Friend. What a thrill! Yet, the music of Christmas does even more!
The carols give expression to the desires, longings, and sentiments of our hearts as we once again gather with fellow believers in the worship of the Christ Child whose birth we celebrate this time of year. They become an appropriate gift of love given to the Child in the manger.
Of all the gifts that we could ever give this Christ, it is our hearts that He desires most. The carols of Christmas allow us to tell Him of our love, devotion, adoration, and praise.
So, sing the carols of Christmas this year with a renewed sense of appreciation of their importance. Sing them out loud and strong. Proclaim the good news of God’s glorious Gift: “For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Joy to the world! The Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing!
Merry Christmas!
Mark Green
Pastor for Senior Adults & Youth and Children’s Music