During this season, I love to listen to the special channel on Sirius Satellite Radio that airs all Christmas music all day. Some have told me that this music lifts the mood, and I certainly have experienced this, especially when I catch myself singing or humming along.
But does this music provide an artificial lifting of my mood from the humdrum realities of everyday life, or does it point to something deeper?
I believe that it points us deeper. The singing actually uncovers a deep truth and motivates us to witness to that truth. It is not just a nice daydream to consider the images evoked by these songs: the images of light and dark, stillness, the angels, the advice to the shepherds not to be afraid … or even the animals at the manger.
These hymns remind me of the prophecies throughout the Old Testament, especially in Isaiah, of joy and exultation that will come from the birth of a Savior for whom we have yearned for centuries.
Thus, when I find myself singing along, I realize it is God’s grace that is creating that desire to offer praise. It is uncovering the mystery of salvation that is my deepest desire: to be with God, to be at peace with one another in the world, and to be at peace within my soul – to be whole, shalom.
During those days in which his dearmother, Monica, prayed fervently that he would become a follower of Jesus (the way so many parents pray that their sons or daughters return to their faith), St. Augustine was moved by singing. In his “Confessions,” Book IX: 6, he recounts coming into the Cathedral in Milan to hear the saintly Bishop Ambrose preach and how he was struck by the singing: “How I wept during your hymns and songs! I was deeply moved by the music of the sweet chants of your Church. The sounds flowed into my ears and the truth was distilled into my heart. This caused the feelings of devotion to overflow. Tears ran, and it was good for me to have that experience.”
This singing had a profound effect on St. Augustine. His mood was lifted – we might say transformed – and the truth of the message permeated his heart and soul. When we sing Christmas hymns, we do the same. A savior has been born, Christ the Lord. He brings love and peace. He shows us the way to a life of truth and love, He gives us the power to live that way, and He loves us so much that even suffering and death will not stop him.
On Christmas Day, we recall His humble birth, among the shepherds and animals, with the wise men on their way to adore Him, and with the angels singing: “Glory to God and peace on earth to all of good will.”
It is no wonder that we are told that by singing we “pray twice.” Singing is good for the soul. It lifts our mood, but it also imprints on our hearts and souls the good news of our faith as it witnesses to the joy that a Savior is born.
I wish all of you a blessed Christmas and a peace-filled 2017!