Words of Reflection
Advent can be a difficult time for those who plan worship services. There is a very real tension between the desire to embrace the theme of waiting that is part of Advent and the belovedness of Christmas music which the congregation has been looking forward to singing. Over the years I have heard more than one story of a pastor who had frustrated their congregation by not singing enough Christmas music during the season. Truth be told, in the past I have been that pastor.
But one day a voice broke through what had become, for me, a sense of theological smugness. It belonged to a member of our church, who told me one Sunday after the worship service, “Jack, these are some of the most beautiful, most theologically rich hymns ever written. And it’s a shame that we don’t get to enjoy them more as part of our preparation for Christmas.”
She was right. The hymnody of the incarnation is some of the most moving, most thoughtful, and most worshipful ever written. And here I was, holding all of it back for a single Christmas Eve service, one that many people in our congregation missed because they were out of town celebrating with family. As a result, they never had the opportunity to sing these beloved carols with their church family.
Music is an integral part of the Christmas story, dating back all the way to the very first Christmas—from Mary to Zechariah to the heavenly host appearing to the shepherds, songs are woven into the fabric of our celebration. The rich history of Christmas music ever since points to the power of the incarnation to inspire us and fill us with wonder and praise, and in a world where there is so much “seasonal noise” assaulting our senses, isn’t it wonderful that we have so many amazing songs and carols to help us refocus and give thanks?
There are still some carols I don’t use in worship until Christmas Eve—”Joy to the World” and “Silent Night” being two of them. But in the years since my “carol conversion,” I have been reminded over and over again that embracing a rhythm of both waiting and celebration is a healthy choice. We need both in our lives, and there is room for both. Just like we celebrate “mini-Easters” during Lent, let’s make sure we celebrate “mini-Christmases” during Advent.
Scripture for Meditation:
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”—Colossians 3:16-17 (NRSVUE)
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!”—Psalm 100:1-2 (NRSVUE)
Song: What Sweeter Music (lyrics here)
Questions for Contemplation:
How do you balance the spiritual posture of waiting and celebration in your own life? How might you make Advent an intentional time of anticipation while also engaging the glorious truths of which the carols speak?
Today’s song is a modern setting of a 17th century text that reminds us that celebrating the birth of Christ radically impacts how we view and experience the world, as we sense the “chilling winter’s morn smile” in a way that shows “December turned to May.” How does the celebration of this season reorient you and change your perspective on the world?
What carols or songs have been particularly meaningful for you as you have celebrated Advent and Christmas in the past? Track down a recording of one you love in particular and listen again. What about it speaks to you? What invitation do you find in that song?