I love music – I always have. One of my favorite uncles is an outstanding fiddle player – not a violinist, a fiddler. When I was very young, he had me sitting on the piano bench teaching me to chord (boom-chick style) to accompany him on fiddle tunes (reels). I was enthralled with the piano – to the point I got in trouble around that time for writing the notes names on the white keys with a pencil. I got in big trouble, but not as much as I would if there been a “Sharpie” back then!
A couple years later a dear aunt arrived at our house in a box truck and backed up to the front porch. When she opened the back door of the truck there it was - an upright piano. That piano and the background my uncle had provided helped set the course for my life. I was six at the time and I still have and cherish that old instrument.
These memories flood back especially at this time of year. Some of the first music I learned to play were tunes from our rich heritage of carols. Some are very old, others newer – regardless, I love playing, singing, and hearing these wonderful works of musical and theological art.
There is nothing like the experience of worship through music. Perhaps Martin Luther said it best: “Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to man that he should proclaim the Word of God through Music.”
This season I hope you will sing from the heart, with all your heart, and rejoice in the sounds and songs of this season and beyond.
“Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." - Ephesians 5:18-20 (NIV)
