Whether listening to the dignified and iconicly smooth baritone George Beverly Shea sing Rhea F. Miller's, "I'd Rather Have Jesus," or stretching the limits of my most bass-enhancing speakers to lyrically theologize (and pretend to be cool) with Shai Linne's East Philly swag and meter, I consider God's gift of Christ-exalting music indispensable.
Gospel-driven music bends to shape the expressions of the believer's heart, allowing the singing saint to recall truth from God's Word, rehearse it, deeply internalize it, find joy, strength, and comfort, be corrected away from errant thinking, and be motivated toward enduring obedience to the One it proclaims. The Psalter, emphasizing God's priority of individual and corporate singing (e.g. The Songs of Ascent, Pss 120-134), along with other texts such as Ephesians 5:18-21, Colossians 3:16-17, provides no shortage of proof to identify God's creative utility of music in the believer's life. Psalms 42-43 help Christians voice sorrow and rest in the Lord's comfort. Admiration swells while traversing Psalm 24. Thanksgiving is all but 3D in Psalm 136. Whether articulating confidence and contentment (Pss 16; 27), righteous anger (Ps 139:19-22), repentance for sin and joy in forgiveness (Psalm 32), there is no shortage of language to help Christians image their singing Creator (Zeph 3:17).
In preparing my heart for this year's Advent season, I wanted to expand my appreciation for the musical contributions made by saints of old. And since I simply do not have the budget to buy everyone of you a Christmas gift, allow me to share what the Lord is using to stir my affections for the Word who became flesh.
Over the next several Tuesdays, we'll travel the annals of church history to dust off some tunes that have been coated with...well...a lot of dust!
Let's go back to the fourth century today to enjoy one of the earliest Christmas hymns (motet, actually), written by St. Hilary or Poitiers (c. 310-c. 367). Perhaps it was Poitier's stand against Arianism that spurred him to write, "Jesus Refulsit Omnium" or "Jesus, Light of All the Nations." Motivation aside, this 4th century composition is both concise and harmoniously reflective. A rough translation of the original text reads:
Jesus, devoted redeemer of all nations, has shone forth,
Let the whole family of the faithful celebrate the stories.
The shining star, gleaming in the heavens, makes him known at his birth
And, going before, has led the Magi to his cradle.
Falling down, they adore the tiny baby hidden in rags,
As they bear witness to the true God by bringing a mystical* gift.
*Mystical = that which inspired a sense of mystery, awe, and fascination.
Wherever you are right now, I hope you have a few minutes to enjoy the modern rendition (ancient lyrics, less-ancient melody) provided below. Let us take our place among the "family of the faithful" to "celebrate the stories" of the One who came to release sinners from their enslavement to sin!
Rejoicing in the Lord with you!
Your not-so-hip friend,
Pastor Jay