Friday, December 9, 2011

dev185

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
 “Glory to God in the highest,
    And on earth peace among men £with whom He is pleased.”
Luke 2:13-14
The other night I was introduced to a show called “Sing Off.” This is a reality show in which there is a contest between different a cappella vocal groups, and each group in the contest is extremely talented both as vocalists and as entertainers. I thoroughly enjoyed the finals of this show, and was excited when they announced at the end that they would have a Christmas special with all the groups performing the next week.
Given my love for Christmas music and how impressed I was with the ability of the contestants, I was thrilled the other night when my family and I were browsing channels and saw that this Christmas special was on. I was looking forward to hearing their outstanding voices harmonize the great hymns of Christmas such as O Holy Night, Silent Night, and my personal favorite, Hark the Herald Angels Sing. Yet, to my dismay, I was let down song after song as the contestants continued to choose songs such as Santa Baby, Let It Snow, and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. I continued to watch each performance with the hopes of hearing one of these groups of gifted vocalists sing the name of my Savior, but I listened in vain.
As I listened to their beautiful voices I felt an emptiness. There was no meaning in their songs. Sure, they sung of traditions that I enjoy each year, and I don’t have a problem with the tracks they sung in and of themselves, but they had taken Jesus out of their Christmas celebration. For the first time I felt the void of the way the world celebrates our holiday. There is no promised glory to God or peace among men. There are no promises at all. December is just another month like any month, with the exception of being able to look at wreaths and drink egg nog. Their remembrances do not lead them to redemption, and their songs do not proclaim hope.
On that day, however, the shepherds experienced a far superior a cappella choir. The Bible says,  suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host.” This word “host” would perhaps be better translated as armies, as the angels of God brought battle to the world on that Christmas evening. Yet they were not armed with swords or bows that night. Their sword was their song, and their arrows were their harmonies. The power of their chant destroyed the doubts of the shepherds and crushed all of their fears and despairs. There were no sour notes about materialism and empty traditions. Their melodies sung of the Most High and his intentions for the salvation of mankind.
This is one a cappella choir that I wish I could’ve heard. I would have no doubt experienced an excellence beyond words in terms of musical quality and vocal performance, yet the value of this song lies beyond the way it is performed. This chorus’ power is in the message: God will be glorified and He will bring peace to this war plagued world. It starts with this good news of great joy that is for all people. Born unto you on that day was a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Joyful all ye nations rise,
Join the Triumph of the skies.