Christmas Music

Yesterday our church choir and some actors reflected on the Christmas story in our annual Christmas Cantata. It was wonderful. Someone said that it was their favorite "sermon" of the year and I had to agree. As much as I love to preach, it was nice to spend some time working on other things and it was a real treat to hear the choir and watch the actors proclaim the word.

I love singing Christmas Carols and Hymns. I have been singing carols and hymns to my children at night (they haven't complained about my singing voice, yet). Kennan loves "Rudolph, the Red-nosed Reindeer." Brayden seems to enjoy "Silent Night." For some reason, Jennifer would rather listen to Sarah McLachlan, Jim Brickman, or Point of Grace.

Here is a list of my favorite hymns.

Advent (the time of year when we eagerly wait for the coming of Jesus Christ) (Top 3)

#3 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

#2 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

#1 O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Christmas (the time of year when we celebrate the birth of Jesus) (Top 10)

#10 The First Nowell - I really like the sixth verse that reminds us that God is the creator and redeemer of the world

#9 Go Tell It On The Mountain - An excellent reminder that we are to proclaim the good news of Jesus' coming with all the world

#8 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear - The third verse reminds us that Jesus came to help those "beneath life's crushing load"

#7 O Little Town of Bethlehem - This song reminds us that Jesus is "the everlasting light" and that "the hopes and fears of all the years" were met in Bethlehem that night

#6 O Come, All Ye Faithful - As "Go Tell It On The Mountain" motivates us to share the good news with all the world, this song invites everyone to come and adore him

#5 Angels We Have Heard on High - Gloria in excelsis Deo (Latin for Glory to God in the highest) - enough said!

#4 Hark the Herald Angels Sing - Everytime I watch the Charlie Brown Christmas Special I love to hear this song and can't wait to sing it in church

#3 Joy to the World - There is no better way to respond to the gift of Jesus Christ by singing of the joy he brings us

#2 What Child Is This - I love listening to Sarah McLachlan's version almost as much as sing it in church

#1 Silent Night, Holy Night - After so many candlelight services, you just can't beat it!

Not on the Top Ten (this year) (Top 4)

#4 We Three Kings of Orient Are - This is an Epiphany Hymn that often gets played at Christmas. Most scholars think the Magi/Wisemen/Kings arrived later.

#3 Still, Still, Still - Great Song but still.... I can only put ten in the top ten

#2 Born in the Night, Mary's Child - Recommended by another pastor and the words are great, but I am waiting to hear it in church before it can be considered for the Top 10.

#1 Away in a Manger - doesn't make the list because who knows a baby that "no crying he makes"?

This is my list. What do think? Any surprises? What would your list look like?

December Newsletter Article: "The Light"

Advent means coming. It is a time when we wait and we watch for the coming of our Lord. It is a time when we look forward to both the birth of our Lord and the time when he will come again and make all things new. Advent is a time of anticipation and preparation. It is a time when we recall the story of the ten bridesmaids and their lamps. We are called to keep our light burning as we look for the coming of the Lord.

During Advent the sanctuary is decorated with evergreens reminding us that God is everywhere and everlasting. Homes are decorated with strings of light, reminding us that Jesus is the light of the world and encouraging us to shine our lights as we have been strung together. As we prepare for the holidays let us also prepare our hearts for the coming of our Lord so that we might shine with the light and love of Jesus Christ.

Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas. On the first Sunday we will light one candle of the Advent wreath. Each subsequent week we will light an additional candle as we build up to the moment when the Christ candle is lit on Christmas Eve. The candlelight increases as we approach Christmas. We recognize that this world can be dark and cold. So we look forward to the coming of the light that brings both light and warmth. We look forward to the coming of Christ, the light of the world. At the end of the service on Christmas Eve we will use the Christ candle to light our own individual candles as the light and love of God fills the room. We recognize that it is the light of Christ that expels the darkness from our lives and fills us with the warmth of the love of God. Therefore let us share the light and love of the world in our homes, communities, and all of creation. Let us shine our lights as we prepare for the coming Jesus Christ, the light of the world.