Songs of Joy for Advent
Scripture: Isaiah 51:1-6
Listen to me,
you who look for righteousness,
you who seek the Lord:
Look to the rock from which you were cut
and to the quarry where you were dug.
Look to Abraham your ancestor,
and to Sarah, who gave you birth.
They were alone when I called them,
but I blessed them and made them many.
The Lord will comfort Zion;
he will comfort all her ruins.
He will make her desert like Eden
and her wilderness like the Lord’s garden.
Happiness and joy will be found in her—
thanks and the sound of singing.
Pay attention to me, my people;
listen to me, my nation,
for teaching will go out from me,
my justice, as a light to the nations.
I will quickly bring my victory.
My salvation is on its way,
and my arm will judge the peoples.
The coastlands hope for me;
they wait for my judgment.
Look up to the heavens,
and gaze at the earth beneath.
The heavens will disappear like smoke,
the earth will wear out like clothing,
and its inhabitants will die like gnats.
But my salvation will endure forever,
and my righteousness will be unbroken
Last Sunday in worship at Salem, we enjoyed “Lessons and Carols” in both the Modern and Traditional services. The music, as we have grown to expect, was beautiful, and coupled with the Scripture readings, we were able to experience the story of Advent and Christmas in a moving way.
But why do are we so moved by stories set to music? It seems we were made that way! As image-bearers of Christ, we are all following His lead. You see, throughout scripture, we are told over and over again that God wants to hear songs of praise, or we read stories of the great women and men of faith singing and playing instruments at times of triumph, at times of joy, in times of worship to God. There is never a wrong time for God’s people to sing and praise God with music.
Today’s scripture from Isaiah 51 reminds us that people sing in times of joy. The joy we find here is a response to the promise God had given Abraham that He was going to multiply his people to so many they cannot be counted. But, not only that, through Abraham and his descendants, God planned to save the world. Now, there’s something to sing about!
God wants us to praise Him, and He especially wants us to make melody in our hearts to Him. As we go through this Advent season, it is a great time to rekindle the practice of singing praise to God with all the beautiful music of the season.
What is your favorite hymn for Advent or Christmas? One of mine, Wake, Awake for Night is Flying, fills me with hope and joy. I want to share the last verse here as it reminds us of the eternal choir of people and angels singing praise together. May our hearts be encouraged this Advent as we sing the songs of our faith, both in our hearts and with our voices!
“Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying” by Catherine Winkworth,
Verse 3
Now let all the heavens adore Thee,
And men and angels sing before Thee,
With harp and cymbal’s clearest tone;
Of one pearl each shining portal,
Where we are with the choir immortal
Of angels round Thy dazzling throne;
Nor eye hath seen, nor ear
Hath yet attain’d to hear
What there is ours,
But we rejoice, and sing to Thee
Our hymn of joy eternally.