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“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—shout for joy before the Lord, the King.” (Psalm 98: 4-6)
God appeared in me and still appears to me through the treasure of holiday music.
Putting into words the influences and effects of music for me, and I believe for many, moves the dial to almost impossible. Therefore, as I try to frame all God’s gifts and blessings, including music, I must shift from my limited words to my limitless feelings.
The Advent theme of Christ’s “now in flesh appearing” as well as the Easter miracle of Christ’s dying on the cross for me (me?!) exceed my human understanding. So too is it with God’s appearing to me in and as music. My thoughts really cannot process these gifts, yet on a deeper and fuller level my feelings can and do.
It was from a Firestone Christmas compilation where I first heard the “Hallelujah” chorus on a record album whose many scratches went unnoticed amid the choral and orchestral majesty. On the same album rang out “The Bells of Christmas” sung by Julie Andrews. Glorious. I first heard them about 55 years ago. I can still hear them now – still feel them. For me, it was then I sensed that God had given the music a heartbeat that grew into a life all its own.
We often hear that the words of a song get into our heads. I believe the words of Christ especially the holiday words, messages, and themes get into our hearts.
At my elementary school we presented a Christmas pageant every year. The closing was the 6th graders singing “Silent Night” on stage with the 5th graders singing the descant from the floor just below them. I loved singing the descant as a 5th grader and loved even more singing the verses as a 6th grader; three magical minutes well worth a year’s wait. Half a century later, I still love singing that favorite hymn every Christmas Eve in church. And I know Christ has appeared there, for I’ve seen him - by candlelight.
Recently I have enjoyed the TransSiberian Orchestra Christmas concerts. They’re not candlelight and Chrismons but lasers and fireworks. Different music but with the same holiday message of peace on earth, good will to men. Isn’t it just like God to appear in the most unexpected times, places, and spaces.
As I reflect on how Christ has appeared to me, I ask myself - how have I appeared to Christ? Have I translated the gift of music, the gift of possibility, the gift of life into actions that are honoring of Christmas day and of every day? My choices with time and treasure, with attitude and affect as well as my choices with liking and loving and with caring and sharing need, in musical parlance, more rehearsing. Lots more.
I have never seen music; none of us has. The notes on a page are just that, notes. But music, especially holiday music - its creation, delivery, interpretation, and ultimately its evocation as both a touch and a torch to the heart – is undeniably a gift that only God could have created and given. And it continues to appear to me and to you wrapped in love and in light.
Dear God,
Thank you for the gift of music and song and for all the gifts you give so freely and generously. To honor and praise your name and to glorify and grow your kingdom, help me be, like you, a giver of gifts and blessings to all in need. Amen
William Bolick
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