Read:
Psalm 96:1–2
Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
Ponder:
Music is a part of our lives. From the time we are born till the time we die music, is threaded through the good times and the bad times. Music can console, encourage, comfort, inspire. Music can do so many things.
God’s heart for music is evident from even a casual reading of the Psalms. Scripture contains over four hundred references to singing and fifty direct commands to sing. The longest book of the Bible, the Psalms, is a book of songs. And the New Testament commands us not once, but twice, to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to one another when we meet (see Ephesians 5:19-21 and Colossians 3:16).
You may not know this, but God himself sings. Zephaniah 3:17 says this,
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”
On the eve of his crucifixion, Jesus sang hymns with his disciples (see Matthew 26:30). And Hebrews 2:12 (which references Psalm 22:22) says,
“So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. For he said to God, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.”
We worship a triune God who sings, and He wants us to be like Him. Maybe you’re musical; maybe you’re not. Maybe you can carry a tune; maybe you can’t. Either way, be like your heavenly Father and sing—to Him and for Him.
Respond:
Below is a small list of my favorite Advent songs. Some are truly Advent songs. Others are just songs that remind me, for one reason or another, of the Christmas story. Enjoy!
Suggestion: Jerome’s Advent Songs [catchy title isn’t it]
“Gabriel’s Message” by Matt Maher
“Breath of Heaven” by Leanna Crawford
“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” by Marcy Priest
“Let All Mortal Flesh” by Fernando Ortega
