Monday, December 5, 2016
Luke 2:13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
THE MUSIC OF CHRISTMAS
Can you imagine a Christmas without music? Why, whole sections of hymnals are devoted to Christmas! And what about all the other music, live and recorded on tape, disc, and cloud? Everywhere we go, we hear the music of Christmas.
Perhaps music is so prevalent because it expresses God's kindly love in Christ to us in a unique way. Perhaps it is because it is the language of emotion and this is an emotional season, or at least it should be. God's angel spoke Good news of GREAT JOY!
But we have yet another reason for music at this time. Music is the language of praise! On the night of our Lord's birth, an angel came to some shepherds to tell them what had happened. He told them that this was for all people. Then, suddenly-- they did not all solemnly file in with candles-- there was a great company of the heavenly host, PRAISING God....
When the Old Testament Christians praised God, they sang about God's mighty works. And they played music, too. They played trumpets, harps, lyres, tambourines, strings, flutes, and cymbals! They danced for joy, praising God (cf. Psalm 150).
Jesus did not come to save the angels, yet they praised God for His marvelous gift. We have more reason than they to extend ourselves praising Him! Now, like the nobleman whom Jesus sent on his long trip home, saying, "Go your way. Your son lives," we too, can journey through life assured of what we will find when we arrive home! Hallelujah!
