“The Church thrills and thrives,
multiplies and advances
on a Holy Spirit breeze of blessing
that we simply call song.”
–Jack W. Hayford*
And at no time of year is that more true than during Advent. Christmas carols seem to waft on a unique Holy Spirit breeze of blessing all their own.
Part of the blessing is in the familiarity, the memories they evoke of Christmases past. Many of us are predisposed to sentimentality, especially at this time of year. Just listen to how often we wistfully say, “Oh, that reminds of…”
But are familiarity and nostalgia the only reasons we love our Christmas songs? No, it’s the lyrics themselves that contribute to the breeze of blessing—lyrics that remind us:
- God’s gifts far surpass what is under the Christmas tree.
“God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of his heaven” (1).
- Jesus brings wisdom and contentment to our lives.
“This child, now weak in infancy,
our confidence and joy shall be” (2).
- He is our Emmanuel, God with us.
“Love has come—He will never leave us…
Love is Jesus within and among us” (3).
- He has made it possible for us to spend eternity with him in heaven.
“Jesus Christ was born for this!
He hath opened heaven’s door
And man is blessed forevermore” (4).
- The day is coming when we will be privileged to sing with the angels, “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns” (Revelation 19:6)!
“When the new heaven and earth shall own
The Prince of Peace their King,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing” (5).
Now that will be a song wafting on a Holy Spirit breeze of blessing.
Can you imagine the scene? Thousands of us in row after row singing our praise to God and celebrating the Prince of peace, our King.
Perhaps we’ll sing harmonies never even dreamt of on earth. And in a perfect heaven with perfectly miraculous acoustics, not only will we be able to hear the voices of those nearby, but the composite whole of the largest, grandest choir ever to sing.
Will there be those who stand in silence and choose not to participate? Impossible. How about folks who barely open their mouths and just whisper-sing? No, I can’t see that happening either.
Surely we’ll all sing with euphoric enthusiasm, hearts bursting with joy that:
- Every blessing of heaven is now ours (1)—blessings we can’t even imagine now because we’re so limited in our knowledge and understanding.
- Our confidence in Jesus has been rewarded beyond imagination (2).
- Our loving, Savior is finally with us in Person as well as in Spirit (3).
- Eternal bliss will be ours forevermore (4).
- We’re able to join the angels in glorious song for the Prince of Peace our King (5).
But there’s no reason to wait until we’ve joined the angel choir.
We can sing as if performing for our King now.
Because we are.
Sing a song of Christmas, my friend, on a Holy Spirit breeze of blessing!
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- “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” verse 3, line 2.
- “Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light,” verse 1, lines 3 and 4.
- “Love Has Come,” verse 3, lines 1 and 2.
- “Good Christian Men, Rejoice,” verse 2, lines 2-4.
- “It Came upon the Midnight Clear,” verse 3, lines 3 and 4.
*from the Foreword of The Celebration Hymnal, Integrity Music, 1997.
Which Christmas carol wafts a breeze of Holy Spirit blessing through your spirit? Tell us about it in the comment section below!
(Art & photo credits: http://www.army.mil.com; http://www.pixabay.com; http://www.Art4TheGlryOfGod; http://www.flickr.com (3); http://www.pixabay.com.)
From the Inside Out 