The Day is Near – Sing Now!

a story by Jan Hames

My family grew up in church choirs, preparing for Advent and Christmas as soon as September rehearsals began. When folks complain about Christmas music before Halloween, it’s odd. By Thanksgiving, we’ve sung carols hundreds of times.

In 1999, Rebecca, Charlie, and I all sang Lessons and Carols. So much to learn! Carols included “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”; “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”; “Comfort, Comfort Ye, My People”; “Ye Who Claim the Faith of Jesus”; “Huron Carol”; “Go Tell It on the Mountain”; “Jesus, Jesus, Rest your Head”; “People Look East”; “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”; “Before the Marvel of this Night”; “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.”

Paul says (Romans 13:11), “…you know what time it is. The hour has already come for you to wake up from your sleep. Now our salvation is nearer than when we first had faith.”  So, sing carols now. As Carl Schalk reminds us: “The love that we have always known, our constant joy and endless light, now to the loveless world be shown, now break upon its deathly night. Into one song compress the love that rules our universe above: Sing love, sing love, sing God is love, sing love, sing God is love!”

Scripture: Romans 13:11-12

As you do all this, you know what time it is. The hour has already come for you to wake up from your sleep. Now our salvation is nearer than when we first had faith. The night is almost over, and the day is near. So let’s get rid of the actions that belong to the darkness and put on the weapons of light.

Prayer

God of love, give us courage to sing of your love from every mountain and rooftop, every sanctuary and shelter.  May we sing of your love forever.  Amen.