The Gospel of Christmas

I love the music of Christmas. However, sometimes the familiarity of the Christmas story and the cozy, familiar atmosphere created by Christmas hymns and carols, along with the shopping frenzy, distract believers from truly meditating on the significance of Christmas. Consider the following hymn taken from the 4th century and allow it’s unfamiliarity to engage your thinking about the gospel.

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.

King of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food.

Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
As the darkness clears away.

At His feet the six winged seraph,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Lord Most High!

Physical Effects and Spiritual Impulses

I enjoy reading Charles Spurgeon. Although I don’t always agree with every view that he held, he does have a timelessness about him that is especially true when identifying problems within the church. Consider this passage from his comments on Psalm 47:7: “Sing ye with understanding.”

It is to be feared from the slovenly way in which some make a noise in singing, that they fancy any sound will do. On the other hand, from the great attention paid by some to the mere music, we feel sadly sure that the sense has no effect upon them. Is it not a sin to be tickling men's ears with sounds when we profess to be adoring the Lord? What has a sensuous delight in organs, anthems, etc., to do with devotion? Do not men mistake physical effects for spiritual impulses? Do they not often offer to God strains far more calculated for human amusement than for divine acceptance? An understanding enlightened of the Holy Spirit is then and then only fully capable of offering worthy praise.

Please understand that Spurgeon is not saying that we should not give God our best. He is saying that we shouldn’t mistake the satisfying effect of music for a “blessing.” When someone comments on how much they love a certain song or singer, I sometimes wonder if that song or singer has communicated a message or simply left a hollow psychological/musical imprint on the mind of the listener.

Identifying and explaining the effects of music on an individual is tricky business, even for the individual himself. So I refrain from casting judgment on those who are “blessed” by music. I too have experienced biblical truth in musical settings which stir my heart and mind to worship the One who died for me. I’m thankful for that. Yet, as a musician, Spurgeon reminds me to keep my balance. “Mere music” is incapable of “offering worthy praise.”

Shepherding Responsibilities

Note: This post was written for the Church Music Newsletter originating from Ashby Musical Enterprises.

I’m a daddy! You’ll have to pardon me for getting so personal in a newsletter that’s supposed to deal with topics pertaining to church music, but perhaps you can forgive me this once? Besides, there is a slight connection to the topic I had planned for this issue.

This past week I have had moments to reflect while holding my precious son (you may see pictures here). I suddenly realized just how big a three-letter word can be! DAD. The word is heavy and full of responsibility. Responsibility to care for and provide physical needs, but more importantly, spiritual needs. I just became the ultimate shepherd.

In the field of church music, it is so easy to get wrapped up in the physical needs of the music program. Searching for and ordering music, practicing, rehearsing, planning service orders, etc, that we can forget our spiritual responsibilities. What are they?

1. Maintaining our personal walk with the Lord. As a Christian leader in any form, we need to guard this relationship first of all, lest we become “castaways.” (I Cor. 9:27)

2. Ensuring that the glory of God is the standard by which we make musical decisions lest He be reflected poorly in our work. “Approve things that are excellent.” (Phil. 1:10)

3. Insofar as we are able, shepherding and encouraging our fellow musicians. As a music director, you have contact with certain people involved in the music ministry more than any other church leader. Take the time to know them and edify them in their spiritual walk. Be sensitive to their spiritual needs. Be careful of your testimony when dealing with those of the opposite sex. But if you can’t help them, encourage them to talk with someone who can. (I Thess. 5:11)

In summary, music is not the most important thing! Music is simply a tool in our worship of God and many times is an opportunity for a music director to minister to those with whom he serves. Don’t neglect your shepherding responsibilities.

Spoken Unto Jehovah

I was recently reminded of a passage from The Treasury of David, Spurgeon’s commentary on the Psalms.  In his comments on Psalm 18, Charles Spurgeon writes:

 

Being possessed of poetic genius, he served the Lord by composing this Psalm for the use of the Lord's house; and it is no mean work to conduct or to improve that delightful part of divine worship, the singing of the Lord's praises. Would that more musical and poetical ability were consecrated, and that our chief musicians were fit to be trusted with devout and spiritual psalmody. It should be observed that the words of this song were not composed with the view of gratifying the taste of men, but were spoken unto Jehovah. It were well if we had a more single eye to the honour of the Lord in our singing, and in all other hallowed exercises. That praise is little worth which is not directed solely and heartily to the Lord.

 

I hope this is a challenge to you as it was to me.  As music directors, we frequently allow “the taste of men” to influence us far too much.