Angels Singing, Bells A'Ringing
‘Tis the season for joyous music as we celebrate Jesus’ birth. Imagine hearing the angels singing loud praises to the shepherds on that quiet night of His birth! Their heavenly choir must have shaken the ground itself. A blessed night indeed.
ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES by Sally Bair
When I was in the sixth grade in Minneapolis, our class took a bus downtown to hear a young people’s concert at Northrop Auditorium. Hundreds of other students also filed in and filled the rows of plush seats. Everyone was excited—not so much about the concert but the fact that we were allowed to leave the classroom for a new adventure.
The conductor introduced us to the fine points of classical music and then turned to face the orchestra. When he lifted his baton every voice in the auditorium stilled, waiting for that first note. Would we like the sound of the classics? At home, my folks never listened to music on the radio. All I had heard was pop music my older sister played on the piano, and an occasional church hymn or Sunday School song.
Not all the students enjoyed the classical music during that concert. Many whispered and giggled throughout the program. But I became enamored from the first note. Oh, how my soul stirred with surprise and excitement at the orchestra’s renditions of Mozart, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky! I felt like I’d been transported to heaven. I closed my eyes and let the music of the classics flow through me. And I have the same feelings today whenever I hear classical music. During different stages of my life, I enjoyed other styles of music as well. And I’m sure many of you have a favorite style: country, pop, folk, jazz, rock, inspirational, and/or others.
This time of year we hear beautiful Christmas carols. But imagine how awe-inspiring it was for the shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth when they heard the unsurpassed voices of God’s angels singing words of glory and praise. I doubt that the sounds were hushed. the whole sky must have resounded with their voices. God heralded this memorable, historic event with the biggest choir in all the heavens! And someday His children, those of us who believe in Him as our personal Savior and Lord, will hear that choir again. For those who do not believe, what better time than this Christmas season to turn your life over to Him and enjoy His inexpressible peace and joy?
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared…praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’” (Luke 2:13-14)
Lord, our voices can’t compare to those of Your angels, but our praises ring out in jubilation and humble adoration to You. You alone are worthy of our praise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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