Singing in the Dark
Last Wednesday night, our church joined the age old tradition of Christmas Caroling house-to-house, singing songs, giving cookies, and praying blessing.
These moments of stepping onto the threshold of people’s homes were so powerful. Many of them, and not a few of us, are carrying burdens, concerns, and griefs, and just a moment of singing out the story of Jesus brought smiles and some tears too.
Our group sang and sang through Joy to the World, Angels We Have Heard on High, Away in a Manger, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. With each song, the encouragement renewed itself. God led each moment and met with each person. There was so much generosity as we endured the cold of night and opened our hearts to one another to honor Jesus.
And there’s a powerful symbolism in our caroling—the act of singing in the dark. When all the world is still in night and there’s uncertainty and grief around us, taking that step to just sing to Jesus, or to simply ask how someone’s doing, or to say, “Can I pray for you?” can bring such Light.
Through just a small effort, partnered with the Love of an infinite God, we can step onto the threshold of another’s heart and sing songs that turn us toward each other and toward Jesus. This means the world to so many. This means the world to Him.
Though the darkness increases, it only brightens the Light.
“You will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace,” (Luke 1:77-79).
In the lyrics and history of O Come O Come Emmanuel,nameless monks in seemingly desolate towns, rebuilt their lives and communities around the promises of Jesus—actually set the stage to rebuild civilization after the Fall of the Roman empire (see article below). Their songs in the dark became the spiritual centers where culture was reformed.
Their song in the waiting, in the darkness, in the desolation, planted the first seeds of hope for a future. Our songs literally become “tidings of comfort and joy”.
Click here for O Come O Come Emmanuel sermon video
And for many this Christmas season, who are living in darkness, who are facing unknowns, fears, doubts, or grief—we need to know we too have inherited these same promises in Jesus. God is moving now.
“This is the year of the Lord's favor…to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit.
That they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations,” (Isaiah 61:2-4).
It is when we begin to sing in the darkness that we experience the arrival of the God of Hope, even in the smallest ways.
Click Here for the House of Prayer Christmas Playlist—stream some singing fuel ;)
We may not see it complete yet (Jesus did arrive as a baby), but When we sing out to Jesus, His promises meet the areas in our hearts and lives that “mourn in lowly exile here.”
His Word and presence can “Disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death's dark shadows put to flight.”
So, just like our carolers, let’s welcome God’s Presence and Word now, to warm our souls this season.
Let’s welcome Jesus onto the threshold of our lives (“Behold I stand at the door and knock,”Rev. 3:20).
Let’s join His unending songs that don’t just rebuild history, but rebuild us too (Zephaniah 3:17).
And we’ll witness His Presence and Love moving into the situations and burdens where we need Him most.
Let’s sing in the darkness.
Resources
House of Prayer Christmas Playlist
If you’re needing a new songs this Christmas season, check out our House of Prayer Christmas Playlist and allow the worshipful posture of Christmas Carols lead you closer to Jesus. Sing with Him!
Monks That Changed History
Check out this great article Benedictine Monasticism and the Restoration of Western Culture on what it was like for the monks and monstaries to rebuild culture after the Fall of Rome. This is real history—and it’s God’s His-story!