| “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’” |
| —Luke 2:13-14 |
Nothing stirs the heart quite so much as music. Whether it is the sound of a brass band playing in a parade, a soft jazz combo, the triumphant expression of praise from a mighty pipe organ, the sound of one’s favorite rock band, or the sound of a well-trained choir—nothing reaches into the inner most core of our beings quite like music.
I was very blessed to be raised in a church that loved to sing. As soon as I reached seventh grade, I was asked to join the adult choir. It was a bit of a heady experience for me. But, the much older choir members very graciously and kindly accepted me as a member of the group. I enjoyed singing our weekly anthems very much.
Then, several of us young men formed a gospel singing group and began to minister at various churches and youth gatherings. It was also a very enjoyable and fulfilling opportunity.
In high school, I joined the chorus. We had a particularly skillful teacher, Mr. William R. Brocklebank. He made the chorus experience both educational and extremely enjoyable. He selected some of us to attend District Chorus and then Regional Chorus. Both were very enjoyable learning experiences. Among my very few friends from high school is a fellow chorus member—a long-time relationship that I truly appreciate.
One of the most enjoyable experiences I have ever had occurred a few years ago when I worked at a large downtown church as Director of Communications. The St. Olaf College Choir from Minnesota came to Erie, PA, to perform and chose our church as the venue.
One of the many unique aspects of this most excellent choir is that the students hold hands as they sing. That may, at first, seem a bit unusual. But, I learned, when talking to two of the students who stayed in our home overnight, that the holding of hands gives their choir a unity of expression that is unparalleled in the choral field.
Imagine now, if you will, with all of the physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual advantages of music, what it must have been like for the shepherds to hear a choir of angels. I am certain it became one of the most important events in their lives. Notice how Dr. Luke describes it in Luke 2:11-14, as the angel of the Lord speaks to the shepherds:
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
The glorious heavenly music filled the cool, clear nighttime sky over those hills above Bethlehem. The voices of the angels were at once mysterious and majestic, softly sweet and powerfully profound. In the depth of their beings, the shepherds knew they had heard the same voices that gather around the throne of God to sing praises to the Creator of All.
I sincerely hope, during these days of Christmastide, the we will all have an opportunity to hear some music that will inspire us to follow the shepherds to the manger in Bethlehem. As we kneel at the feet of this Babe-become-King, let us allow the song of heaven to so fill our minds and hearts that praise will flow from our lips. It doesn’t matter if you can sing like a St. Olaf chorister. God delights in the praise of His people. (Psalm 149:4)
May the beauty of those angelic voices remind us that we belong to God through His Son, Jesus. We are the recipients of God’s richest blessings: His mercy, grace, and ever-abiding love.
Based on a blog originally posted on Wednesday, December 28, 2016
