December 15
Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous; it is good for the just to sing praises. Praise the Lord with the harp; play to the Lord upon the psaltery and lyre. Sing for the Lord a new song; sound a fanfare with all your skill upon the trumpet.
Psalm 33:1-3 (BCP)
It’s hard to imagine this time of year without the music. It’s a season during which even the most timid singer (yes, even you who claim “tonedeafness”) might be caught belting out a favorite carol. I often wish we could carry that singing ethos throughout the year, because I know how powerful singing with others can be in finding common ground and reviving our spirits.
What a gift those carols are, handed down through the generations, joining our voices with those of many times and places. They infuse our lives with the hope, peace, joy, and love that this world so desperately needs. They serve as a tool for teaching the story to our children, and they remind us of the depth of God’s love for us.
Think of a carol that stirs your spirit, look up the words if you don’t know them by heart, and spend a few minutes meditating on those words and reflecting on the memories that flood in. And perhaps if you’re feeling especially joyful, find a recording and sing along with gusto. I’ll offer a verse of one of my own favorites as a prayer for you today:
O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us; abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel! -O Little Town of Bethlehem, Verse 4
Laura Alexander
Comments