Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Written by Steve Jackson| Senior Pastor
One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season is the songs we sing together this time of year. Yes, I enjoy some of the simple festive ones like, “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” or “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” But my favorite songs are the classic Christmas hymns: “Joy to the World,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Silent Night,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (and the list goes on and on).
I’ve been singing these songs for as long as I can remember. They not only point my mind to Jesus, but they also warm my heart with memories: caroling in the snow, lighting the candle on Christmas Eve, and sharing the hymnal with my sister during the worship service. Singing is one of the great gifts God has given us.
Song plays a major role throughout the story of God’s people. The first recorded song in Scripture is Moses’ song in Exodus 15. It is a redemption song about our incomparable God, who fights to provide salvation for His people. From that point, we begin to regularly see God’s people singing. Moses concludes his long message to the Israelites in Deuteronomy with another song. Hannah sings a song of praise when God provides her a long-awaited son (1 Samuel 2:1-10), and Mary picks up the refrain when God provides a Savior from her womb (Luke 1:46-55). David commissioned the sons of the Kohathites to sing before the Lord daily (1 Chronicles 6:31-32). Solomon composed more than 1,000 songs (1 Kings 4:32). We have 2 entire books dedicated to song (Psalms and Song of Solomon). The angels are singing His praise day and night (Revelation 4:8), and all the saints will sing a new song when Jesus comes again (Revelation 5:9-10). The unmistakable refrain in Scripture is that the redeemed sing!
In light of this truth, we ought not be surprised by what Paul says in Ephesians 5:18-21:
“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ (ESV).”
The first thing that ought to be evident in your life if you are filled with the Spirit is that you are singing. I’m guessing that singing isn’t the benchmark that you naturally think of when it comes to living the Spirit-filled life, but here it is! Notice how the first two proofs of being filled with the Spirit involve it: singing with one another and singing to the Lord.
One of the many wonderful things about the local church is that it remains one of the only places where people sing together. Every week, men and women gather shoulder to shoulder and sing God’s praises together. This activity is absolutely necessary for us. As we sing, we are addressing one another, pointing each other to the hope that is ours in Christ, beckoning one another on toward continued endurance, and reminding ourselves of what is truly important. In the Christmas movie, Elf, Buddy reminds everyone that the best way to spread Christmas cheer is “to sing loud for all to hear.” The Apostle Paul reminds us that the best way to stay in step with the Spirit and with our fellow man is “to sing to the Lord for all to hear.”
But the singing should not cease once the gathered saints go home. We must continually be singing and making melody to the Lord with our hearts. Singing is a powerful tool to lift our spirits and increase our joy. Are you discouraged? Sing! Are you feeling spiritually dry? Sing! Are you afraid? Sing! Follow David’s example of bringing all your emotions to Him in song, and allow Him to revive your soul.
The redeemed have no excuse for remaining quiet. You are not exempt if you can’t carry a tune. All creation is singing His praise. This Christmas, let’s join with the angels and sing,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” (Luke 2:14).
