Retailers know that Christmas carols bring back memories, soften the heart and nudge us to begin our gift buying. So, in the midst of this, where do we find hope?
For centuries, people have gathered to celebrate the birth of Christ, by singing songs. From the first strains of the Advent carol “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”, carols tell the story of the birth of a baby and express the hope and joy of a people who waited centuries for a promise to be fulfilled and their Messiah to come. The name Emmanuel, meaning “God with us”, reminds the world of this hope, HOPE for a better world and a more just society, a God in whom we can trust and to whom we can relate.
Christ came into the world silently, quietly, not with the fanfare of the birth of a king, but in this silence, the "wondrous gift is given." That gift is life! As we hum to ourselves or join others singing “Glory to the newborn King”, we speak of our sins and the price that was paid to reconcile us to God. Jesus the baby, became Jesus the man, and paid the price for our sinfulness. He was born “to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.” Those who trust in Him are reborn, given eternal life….eternal HOPE!
Perhaps carols are so loved because they awaken memories of Christmases past, of family and tradition. But perhaps the music of Christmas also reminds us that there truly is a reason to have faith and hope in God for what He has done and for what He is doing in the lives of people. It is this hope that the carols express so well, allowing us to proclaim,
For centuries, people have gathered to celebrate the birth of Christ, by singing songs. From the first strains of the Advent carol “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”, carols tell the story of the birth of a baby and express the hope and joy of a people who waited centuries for a promise to be fulfilled and their Messiah to come. The name Emmanuel, meaning “God with us”, reminds the world of this hope, HOPE for a better world and a more just society, a God in whom we can trust and to whom we can relate.
“Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.”
Christ came into the world silently, quietly, not with the fanfare of the birth of a king, but in this silence, the "wondrous gift is given." That gift is life! As we hum to ourselves or join others singing “Glory to the newborn King”, we speak of our sins and the price that was paid to reconcile us to God. Jesus the baby, became Jesus the man, and paid the price for our sinfulness. He was born “to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.” Those who trust in Him are reborn, given eternal life….eternal HOPE!
Perhaps carols are so loved because they awaken memories of Christmases past, of family and tradition. But perhaps the music of Christmas also reminds us that there truly is a reason to have faith and hope in God for what He has done and for what He is doing in the lives of people. It is this hope that the carols express so well, allowing us to proclaim,
“Joy to the World,
the Lord is come!”
Susan Daves - Assistant Director of Music
*This was originally published in the Nov. 17th edition of The Church Bell
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