Teacher devotions: Advent - Musical Windows - Psalm 108 v 3

Psalm 108:3    I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.

I love this time of year and especially the weeks that lead up to Christmas. No matter where I go, I hear Christmas music and carols everywhere. Christianity is a singing faith and I like to think that the songs and hymns we sing at Christmas are the musical windows of the church.

I know that some people think that there’s too much commercialism at this time of year and that the Spirit of Christmas is lost in a smorgasbord of feasting, fables, and fun. I used to think like that, but the more I experience Advent and Christmas, the more I understand the power of Incarnation and the actual presence of Christ in the world.

Every year we sing of Christ’s birth among the nations. Every Christmas someone is truly touched by the glad tidings of peace and joy. Every carol has the power to move the hearts of people, who have isolated themselves from church, and bring them back to joyfully praise the Lord. We see this actually happening in Christmas Eve worship services around the world. That’s why they are so crowded. People are attracted to our faith through the wonderful songs that we sing and play at this time of year.

So between now and December 25th, I’ll be singing, playing, and listening to as many Christmas carols as I can. My hope is that someone else will hear them and rediscover God’s joy to the world.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we give You thanks for the season ahead of us when many people across the nations will joyfully sing of Your glorious birth. Thank You for the musicians and vocalists who will inspire, delight, and please us with their talented gifts this Christmas. In Your Holy Name, we joyfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is John’s 2010 stained glass Christmas drawing. He calls it “African Nativity.” You can view a larger version at the following link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/5064118966_784afd8a3a_b.jpg

John also has a limited number (25) of signed prints available. If you would like one, contact him at his email address.