Christmas Music

Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.  (Isaiah 35:10 NLT)

Christmas and music -- they just go together don't they?  Radio stations and stores play Christmas songs all through December.  Handel's Messiah is performed in many venues, year after year.  Kids perform concerts in schools.  Some churches offer special musical productions.  Singers and musicians put together Christmas albums and we play them in our cars, on our smart phones, and on our home stereo systems. 

One of the favorites of modern Christmas carols is 'Mary's Boy Child'.  It was written by Jester Hairston, the grandson of American slaves. He wrote this Negro spiritual to celebrate his musical heritage and to tell the story of the difficulties surrounding God's own son when He came into the world.  Jester Hairston knew that in spite of the injustice and pain suffered by his ancestors, God's love overcame it all.  There is still darkness and hatred in our world today, however, God's unfailing love will overcome and bring a new day of salvation and eternal life for all who believe. 

Long time ago in Bethlehem, so the Holy Bible said,

Mary's boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day.

Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today,

And man will live for evermore, because of Christmas Day.

While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
They saw a bright new shining star,

And heard a choir sing a song; the music came from afar.

Now Joseph and his wife, Mary, came to Bethlehem that night,

They found no place to bear her child, not a single room was in sight.

By and by they found a little nook in a stable all forlorn,

And in a manger cold and dark, Mary's little boy was born.

Trumpets sound and angels sing, listen to what they say,

That man will live forevermore because of Christmas Day.

In our world of homeless people living on the streets, refugees fleeing violence and terror attacks, and people caught up in the insecurity of finances for day to day living, God comes to let us know He is with us, that He has a life for us that is rich and satisfying, a life that will last forever. 

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.  (1 Timothy 1;15 NIV)

The birth of Jesus Christ in a cold dark stable was God coming close to us to assure us that He is with us, and will make a way for us through whatever dark and distressing circumstances we face.  Jesus Christ is the way.  He died so our sins could be forgiven and we could have life forevermore with God.  God's love triumphs over all injustice.  That’s worth singing about, isn’t it?

©2015 Partners in Hope