A Message In Song

“What are you children playing?” asked the mother. “Church,” chorused the crowd of youngsters. “You know that you shouldn’t whisper in church.” “Yes, but we’re the choir.” Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 879). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.

Thank you choir for the amazing message you have shared today through the gift of song.

Singing In Christianity ... You find it but rarely in other religions. You find it but rarely in lodges, clubs, or associations. Singing was so much a part of the Hebrew faith that the hymnal (the Book of Psalms) was in the middle of the Bible. Singing is so important to Christian faith that more than 500,000 Christian hymns have been written. Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 880). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.

Psalm 95:1-2 the psalmist declares this singing and song comes from joy… We of all people hove the most to be joyful for knowing this Savior who came as this baby they have been singing about!!!

Psalm 95:1–2 NASB95

1 O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

Not only did the psalmist commend us to sing and praise him but Paul also instructs the church to do so in Colossians 3:16-17

Colossians 3:16–17 ESV

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Pliny’s Letter To Emperor In a letter written to the Roman Emperor Trajan by Pliny the Younger, governor of Bithynia about A. D. 110, Pliny described what he had learned about the Christians and their worship. “They are accustomed to meet,” he says, “on a fixed day before daylight to sing a hymn of praise to Christ as God.” The troubled governor of Bithynia had tried to explain to the Roman Emperor the reason for the spread of the Christian faith, which was being extended so rapidly that it was leaving the pagan altar deserted. Unwittingly he had declared the secret of the power of Christianity and its spread in the world—the Christians worshipped Jesus Christ as God. —H. Guy Moore Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 880). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc

As we have listen to the praises and songs and scriptures this morning Jesus Christ has been declared to be God and Savior!

Beginning with the long expected Savior and King prophesied about from the very beginning

When He came however there were no bells and fanfare, reminding us to pause in the busyness of life to remember what God has done

rather than fanfare, fireworks, and bells… we see a manger, shepherds, and a star in a midnight sky.

The songs declare that this baby we celebrate is the Way the Truth and the Life!

Through all the songs, the scripture… it is Christ who gets the glory!!!

We declare Him

So many songs this time of year point to Christ… take the opportunity to listen for them, glorify God, and share Christ with someone who is listening too!