it’s the most wonderful time of the year

I love the Christmas season for so many reasons, but near the top of the list is the content of the winter chorus concerts.  We’ve been to two so far; Lilly’s 8th grade chorus concert a few days ago and Levi’s Master Singers/Chamber Singers concert tonight.

At back-to-school night, the 8th grade chorus teacher told us parents that her choirs would be singing exceptional music, some of it with religious themes, due to the merits of the music.  She assured us that she was not pushing an agenda.  I sort of smiled on the inside, because I know what they’re singing about:  Jesus, the love of God, and the grace that God has poured out on humanity.

These concerts have been wonderful.  The musicianship in State College is some of the best in the state/country, as evidenced by the awards that the high school choir/band wins year to year.  But tonight, as I sat listening to these talented students sing songs of praise to God, my heart soared.

There were songs in Latin and German, and one translated from Russian, with lyrics lifted straight from the Psalms and a prayer written by Martin Luther.  They sang 2 songs by Moses Hogan (one arrangement, one original) that captured the essence of the spiritual songs sung by slaves, desperate for redemption and freedom.  I wanted to lift my hands, to raise my voice to join them in praise, to sing and cry out for God to deliver…

I wonder…what is God going to do with the words and emotions that these songs carry?  Is he planting these seeds in the hearts of these students, planning a harvest down the road?  Some of them know this God of whom they sing, but most do not.  Is he receiving the worship that these songs were written for?  Does he smile and rejoice over them as they sing, some of them unknowingly, about his great love?

I would love the chance to sit down with these bright high school students to talk about the content of their concert, to talk about the God they are extolling.  Maybe we need to host a choir dinner and see what happens?!

Levi’s not singing in this clip–we were in China adopting Isaac. But you get the point…