For Sunday December 18, 2022
Psalm 147:1
Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God;
for it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.
If anything characterizes the Christmas season, it is music—especially George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. But in addition to formal choral presentations, there are the traditional Christmas hymns sung by choirs in churches and by carolers in neighborhoods.
How did Christmas become the season of glorious songs? Besides the fact that music is woven into the fabric of the Old Testament, beginning with the song of celebration following the Exodus from Egypt (Exodus 15), the first Christmas was marked by psalm singing and songs. Mary sang what is now called the Magnificat when she visited Elizabeth (Luke 1:46–56), and Zechariah lifted his voice in praise when John the Baptist was born (Luke 1:67–79). And when Jesus’ parents presented him in the Temple, Simeon spoke a song of praise (Luke 2:29–32). Then there were the glorious words the angels declared to the shepherds (Luke 2:13–14).
This Christmas season, don’t fail to lift your voice in song as you praise God for the indescribable gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.
My ready tongue makes haste to sing the glories of my heavenly King.
CHARLES WESLEY
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 