Christmas Listening Suggestions
December 19, 2023
Dear CPC Family,
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” (Galatians 4:4-7)
If you are not in “the Christmas spirit” yet, just read that passage again.
Because God became man, because the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, for us and for our salvation, we have much to celebrate!
That’s why I think it’s good for us to go a little overboard with Christmas. Put up those over-the-top Christmas lights, fill your table with an abundance of food, delight to give good gifts, and rejoice that every spiritual blessing is ours in Christ.
One special opportunity believers have at Christmas is to celebrate with music. There is terrible Christmas music out there (I’m looking at you, “Last Christmas”). But God’s people throughout the ages celebrate Christmas with music for both booming celebration and quiet reflection on the incarnation. Here are a few ideas to check out this week:
Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God. If you don’t know about Andrew Peterson, you’re missing out! This album (which has also been an annual live show for 20+ years) tells the story of Jesus, beginning with the Old Testament types and shadows. I would suggest setting aside an hour or so to listen to this album from beginning to end (in this case, the order is important!)
O Come All Ye Faithful. Yes, you know this Christmas carol. But you really need to take time to think about the words. One verse draws heavily on the Nicene Creed. The version I linked is the choir/organ arrangement by Sir David Willcocks at Kings College, Cambridge. This is a famous arrangement because, in the final verse, as the choir sings “Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing,” the organist pulls out all the stops to play a chord that is otherworldly. That chord captures in music the literally otherworldly salvation that has broken into this world in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Give it a listen and, if you think I’m crazy, watch this video.
Speaking of King’s College, Cambridge, one of my Christmas Eve traditions is to listen to the live BBC broadcast of the annual Lessons & Carols service. Since 1918, this service has been held in Cambridge every Christmas Eve and broadcast around the world. In California, you can listen at 7am on Christmas Eve at the link above (or stream it later, of course). If you came to our Lessons & Carols service, you’ll recognize the Scripture readings and many of the carols.
Savior of the Nations Come. This is a lesser known Christmas carol written by Ambrose of Milan (who was instrumental in St. Augustine’s conversion) and translated into German by Martin Luther. We sang this yesterday but the one I linked to is more intense. Intensity is appropriate as the song looks back to Jesus’ first coming and ahead to his second coming.
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing: How could I close with anything but this! I remember a former pastor of mine calling this the most theological Christmas carol. There’s a reason that It’s a Wonderful Life and Charlie Brown Christmas both close with this carol. It captures the message and the joy of the incarnation like few others!
Don’t just listen to these songs during the week … use them as a warm-up for morning and evening worship on Christmas Eve! We’ll gather, as usual, at 9:30am on Sunday morning and then again at 5pm back at Beth Shalom for our joint Christmas Eve service with Grace PCA. See you then!
In the Father’s Love,
Pastor Andrew