Day Six of Advent - December 2

“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, goodwill toward men.’” (Luke 2:13-14)

The Henry County Rotary Club recently made available a Christmas CD made up of many church choirs here in our County singing a Christmas anthem. The remarkable thing was to look at the list of churches and see the diversity of congregations and music. Black, white, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Christian, Non-denominational, traditional, contemporary, large church, small church, medium church, all groups that make up Henry County were represented. What a marvelous coming-together of God’s people offering their gifts of music to the entire community this was.

The best thing was that the many different voices came together for one purpose. To share the message of Jesus. From familiar carols to those not so common, the story of God’s Love and the birth of Christ is being shared on CD players all over the place this year. I hope that those people listening will not get so caught up in the quality and style of the presentations, but hear the simple message proclaimed by each of the choirs with the sincerity with which they sang. The Rotarians provided a great vehicle for the message of Christmas.

A long time ago, a large choir (however big a host might be) sang to a group of shepherds about the same thing. The birth of a baby who would be called the Christ. One who would change the world by saving people from their sins. Would their message have been any less important if a note or two were slightly off-key? Would the Love they came to share been any less meaningful if the rhythm was a little weird here and there? Nope! I don’t think so. God looks at our heart and wants us to sing and tell others from our heart, not with the eloquent words of a professional speaker or singer. We can often get so wrapped up in saying things correctly, that we lose the message.

During this season of Advent as we prepare our hearts for Christ, just remember to tell others about Him. Just as you are. God can use you with a tangled tongue and an off pitch song just as well as with the best quality. Sometimes, perhaps even more because then those around us realize that we are human, not some perfect being. Tell the message. As you are. I’ll be praying for you as you look for your way to sing.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord!