As we begin December, it is hard to believe that Christmas is already here. As you decorate the house and the tree I’m sure that there is Christmas music playing in the background. Why does the best Christmas music never get old even though it is repeated over and over again each and every year? Well those familiar songs set the atmosphere of the season - a season filled with much joy and sentiment. Music has an amazing ability of capturing our hearts and minds. Truly it is a gift of God.

Music during Christmas has a scriptural root. As we read the Christmas birth narrative in the Gospel of Luke we read and hear that the gift of song was a part of the very first Christmas. Who can forget the Angels announcement to shepherds was accompanied by a song, “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! (Lk.2:13,14). Choirs of Angels singing and praising God. Surely the shepherds got a sneak peek into the very throne room of Heaven with this angelic vision and song.  We also read of Mary’s song (Lk. 1:46-55) called The Maginifcat from the first phrase of her song “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior “(vs. 46,47). Also Zechariah (Lk. 1:67-79) and Simeon (2:29-32) add their chorus of praise as they hear and see the Christ child. In other words, there has always been music associated with Christmas.

This Advent season on Sunday morning we are going to look at these scriptural songs in a series entitled Christmas Playlist. These songs, like our Christmas songs, lay forth the true reason that Christ had to come to earth. I hope you will join us for each one of these songs and that you will invite others to be a part of it too. And of course, our worship services will be filled with Christmas hymns and carols. The choir too (along with other instrumentation) will be singing and playing wonderful Christmas music this Advent as we fill our season with song – just as in the first Christmas.

The crescendo to our Christmas season will take place on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24^th) as we will have morning worship service (11AM) and evening worship service (6PM). Our evening service will consist of our Candlelight Lessons & Carols. What a wonderful day that will be! Who can you invite to be a part of it?

Christmas is a wonderfully joyous time, and we as Christians have that much more reason to be joyful as we celebrate the coming of Christ who - come to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found. As you enjoy the season may your Christmas be filled with song – songs of praise and worship to our newborn and coming again King.

Merry Christmas!