Christmas Songs - Psalm 101:1

Psalm 101:1 I will sing of your love and justice; to you, Lord, I will sing praise. (NIV)

            It’s that special time of year when we hear a lot of wonderful songs that we have learned and loved each Christmas. Whether we’re in church or at a mall, working at home or driving our car, we’re probably listening to carols and popular songs which stir our feelings and cause us to sing along with our favorite singers. As I write this, I’m listening to crooners like Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Bing Crosby sing some golden oldies, as well as enjoying country singers like Reba, Shania Twain, and Dolly Parton perform some well-loved hymns and new songs for Christmas. It’s a pleasant experience and makes me thankful to God for the gifts and talents of both singers and songwriters who keep alive the Spirit of Christmas.

            Today’s highlighted Bible verse reminds us that our traditional Christmas hymns celebrate God’s love and justice. As scripture elsewhere proclaims, God loves humanity so much that He sent Jesus into the world to save us from our sins and stop us being eternally separated from God. His justice is also shown through the unmerited gifts of mercy and grace – God gives us more than we deserve and accepts us more than we can ever achieve. So, when we hear or sing the songs of Christmas, we can actually feel God’s delight in healing humanity of unholiness and lovingly restoring us to His Kingdom.

Point to ponder

What is my favorite Christmas hymn? How does it express to me God’s love and justice?

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for this wonderful time of year when we celebrate the birth of Your Son and look forward to the moment when He will return among us. Fill our hearts with Your favor and love to enable us to share those gifts with everyone we encounter during this beautiful season of joy and goodwill. In Christ’s Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM – you’ll be made very welcome. If you’ve felt blessed by this devotional, you can make an online donation to the church at this link: Erin Gifts.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Christmas drawings called “Bliss.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Bliss.

Advent devotions: 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.