Psalm 96 reminds us of the chorus that is gathering.... As you read the invitation to Sing to the Lord a new song...remember that this is an invitation that has reverberated through thousands of years.
The people of God, the children of light are assembling from far and near. Voices trained and tuned...voices trembling and tentative...voices of all sizes and shapes will be lifted up in carols and hymns.... and it is powerful to remember that what we will be singing are "Protest Songs"...
During the 1960's a song (first written in 1949 by Pete Seeger) was recorded by a group called Peter, Paul and Mary -- "If I Had a Hammer" It was a simple melody with a pulsating, energizing tempo. The words were easy to memorize... and before too long people everywhere were singing it out. We sang it when society was in the throes of war, poverty, and the struggle toward integration. We sang it around campfires, on marches, and on college campuses.
In just a day Christians will gather all over the world and sing out again the New Song. We won't be wielding a hammer...we will be waving banners, lifting candle light, and ringing bells...and singing out that Christ is born.
We will sing about how it all came to be...we will sing it out in the midst of the world's daunting darkness.
On a silent night...a holy night...when all is calm...and all is bright....
Take a moment to listen to Simon and Garfunkel's version of Silent Night - 7 o'clock news...and remember the promise and power that inspires our songs. Together we proclaim the birth of the one who interesects the world with JOY...LIGHT..PEACE...TRUTH...JUSTICE...LOVE...for all people in all nations. Amen!
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