Dear Friends,
Today is the last time we shall see most of our Choral Scholars in Holy Trinity until after the Christmas break, although I know at least one will be with us next week. The Choral Scholars usually like to have fun singing Christmas carols in church on the Saturday before they all leave for their break, but this year that has not been possible to arrange, so we are singing Christmas carols today, and they will also sing the pieces they sang at the wedding last week, during the offering. I want to thank them for all their hard work during this semester. We look forward to seeing and hearing them again next year.
The music of our worship is so important. Indeed, it is John Bell who says that most people learn all the theology they know from the hymns and songs they sing. And it is true that singing the words of our faith helps embed that faith in our minds and hearts. The monks of old invented plainsong, the single-line, unmeasured vocal music of the early Christian Church, to help them remember the words of the services they sang every day, and which for many became so much part of their being. And it was John Calvin who viewed singing as a powerful, God-given tool for worship, best expressed through the Psalms, a tool which serves as prayers to edify the church and glorify God. And he believed that everyone should sing.
Next Sunday we shall have a congregational Carol Service in both churches at the usual times so that we can all sing our favourite Christmas music. Bring your family and friends to join in the well- loved music of the season as we tell the Christmas story in words and music.
There is a very good precedent for singing for the scriptures tell us that Jesus himself and his disciples sang. They sang at times of celebration, and even at the most solemn moments, and we know that ‘when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives’. (Matthew 26:30), The Apostle Paul says to the Colossians and the Ephesians that gathered believers should sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, thereby “singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart” and we know that he himself encouraged people to sing, even in prison. So, this Christmas season let us take every opportunity to sing our praise as we worship almighty God and give thanks for the wonderful season of Christmas.
With love and blessings,
Marion
Categories: Minister's Blog