Sing what They Said
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-14
While I wouldn’t start a theological debate over the issue, I believe the assumption that the angels who appeared to the angels were a “heavenly choir” singing their praise. The text clearly says that they were “praising God and saying,” not singing. They were saying not singing. The Greek words for sing and say are different. Luke was being precise. The other texts where we might assume angelic song, likewise say they were saying.
I’m not certain why that’s the case. Were they created without musical gifts? I have no idea. What I do know is that we humans have been given such a gift. Some are better at it than others. As the old saying goes, “some of us can’t carry a tune in a bucket.” Nevertheless, it is incredible to think that out of all of God’s creation He has chosen to gift humanity with music. And we do incredible things with it – and some despicable things too, but that is a topic for another day.
Today, my point is simply this: God has blessed you with the gift of music. We are exhorted to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs and t make a joyful noise unto the Lord. I get it that you may not sound like Ray Charles or even Willie Nelson, but you can sing. Singing is a wonderful gift. It gives you a way to express your heart’s joys and sorrows.
Christmas has its own musical hymnody – secular and religious. I know people get worn out on Christmas music a couple of weeks into December, but still, it is an amazing gift that we have the opportunity to sing about the Advent of Christ however much we want in public and it won’t be considered weird (or maybe only mildly so depending on your volume and enthusiasm).
So, sing what they said:
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace among those with whom he is well pleased!
