It's the Season for Singing!

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." - Lk 2:13,14

At first, I couldn't believe my ears. It was only the day after Thanksgiving, and there was a radio station that has gone to 24 hour-a-day Christmas music. It seems like the Christmas music (along the decorations and sales) start earlier and earlier every year. Of course, the reason for that is because "Jingle Bells" rings the cash register. Christmas songs are suppose to remind people that the season is all about giving - or, should we say, shopping.

For us as Christians, Christmas is a special time for singing. People often lament that we have only a handful of weeks in which to sing favorite Advent and Christmas hymns. But for us the reason for singing is much different. Christ, not cash, causes our songs. Praising the Savior, not pushing sales, is why we sing our verses this all-too-short season. That's why the angels sang that first Christmas. They praised God for love's pure Light in thee manger of Bethlehem. They praised God on the day he opened heaven again and gave us His Son. "Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled was the joyful content of their song.

We eagerly attend the Christmas services off our children and grandchildren. We love to see their joyful faces as they sing about their newborn Savior. Sitting there, we think back to the children's services in which we participated so many years ago. Even more, we think about why Christmas is such a good time for singing. "Christ our Savior is born." We have even more reason to sing than the angels. 'Lord, help us praise our newborn King. Amen"