I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. (Ps. 57:9)
Have you noticed how the Christian religion is immersed in music? Bruce Thielemann once pointed out that Confucianism has no chorales, Shintoism has no songs, Islam has no glorias, Hindus have no hymns, and atheists have no anthems. Some religions have chants, but they cannot compare to the beauty and variety of Christian music.
Music touches our hearts in a unique way. If you have heard a meaningful spiritual sung by one of the great black performers, you know how it warms your heart. Likewise, a patriotic song written by John Philip Sousa or by Irving Berlin makes you want to stand up and salute, march, or pledge your allegiance.
The music of Christmas is unusually beautiful and even more meaningful. Everybody, it seems, gets into the act at Christmas time. Department stores and chambers of commerce know it helps people be in the shopping spirit if Christmas music is playing.
But for true believers, the music of Christmas is meaningful because it is really about the praise of Jesus Christ. For those of us who know him, the lyrics and melodies give voice to our inner desire to glorify him. The psalmist wasn’t thinking of Christmas, of course. But his words are appropriate anyway at this time of year: “I will praise you, Lord, . . . among the peoples.” Sing it: Glory to God in the highest!
Sing the music of Christmas from the depths of your heart.
Ron McClung has completed fifty-four years of ministry with The Wesleyan Church. He and his wife, Carol, enjoy spending time with their two sons, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
