A Joyful Noise
Ps 98:1-9
(KJV)
O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
2 The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
3 He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
5 Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.
7 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together
9 Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
It’s difficult, if not impossible, to avoid it this time of year. Music. Christmas music. No matter where I am, no matter what I’m doing, it’s highly likely that there is Christmas music playing in the background. I am inundated by it. But, for the most part, I am immune to it.
Even at home, at least in my home, Christmas music begins playing on my radio and my sound systems on Thanksgiving weekend and doesn’t stop until Epiphany. My music library at home contains 8 versions of Silent Night alone. Artists range from the London Philharmonic to the Trans Siberian Orchestra . . . all performing the same handful of secular and sacred Christmas songs . . . over and over again. I mean, really, how many times do I need to hear “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire . . . “ before I get the point?
The traditions of my family are bathed in music this time of year, and the songs connect powerfully with my holiday memories – both good and bad. All I have to do is recall the first lines of these songs “Children of the Heavenly Father,” “O little town of Bethlehem,” “O come, all ye faithful,” or “Silent night, holy night” and vivid memories of Christmases past come flooding back. But, at least in my case, these memories are of family, friends, and events in my lifetime. In the hustle of the holiday season, these sacred songs have lost their power to recall, at least in me, their very inspiration – the birth of God’s Son and the Savior of all mankind. They have become nothing more than background noise. How can this happen?
Martin Luther understood the power of music. In fact, he said that music was second only to the Word itself in shaping our spiritual lives. He understood its connection to our recollection of words and times that would serve us well in our faith walk. He knew that, in times of trouble, singing a few lines of a favorite hymn could make all the difference. How can I regain the power of the Christmas hymns and songs in a time so different from Martin Luther’s? How can I again, in this most sacred of seasons, make a joyful noise?
I am reminded of those folks on the airplane with noise cancellation headphones. With the noise from the airplane, the flight attendants coming and going, the person sitting next to them who wants to sell them a service or product before we land, they just want to retreat into the solitude of their own world and focus on what is important to them. Perhaps, in order to make a joyful noise, we must first be silent . . . and listen. Maybe, just maybe all those Christmas songs would regain their power if I took time to hear what God has been saying . . . with all of His creation.
In Psalm 98, the joyful noise of His oceans, His mountains, His instruments, His creation, and His voice shout out His message. The message? He has done all this for our enjoyment, for our salvation, and to His glory.
Be silent. Listen to the inspiration for all this celebration – the birth of the Savior.
Maybe 8 versions of Silent Night isn’t so many after all.
Amen!