“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises”, (Psalms 98:4)  Possessing a dimension of its own, music often exceeds the spoken word in expressing moods and feelings of the soul. The scriptures offer many such references to music and song as expressions of love, lament, reverence, and praise for the Lord. Music is central to our worship at Christ Church, whether it is singing hymns, listening to the choirs sing, or reciting the Psalms, which were written as poems and as songs for singing. Sung music is ancient and communal and music allows us to feel part of something greater than our individual selves. It can elevate us to awe.

Before literacy was common, the words of the hymns were a very important way of teaching the Gospel and the stories of the Bible. As apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God”. Mark tells us in Chapter 14:26 that after Jesus and the Twelve had partaken of the last supper or Passover meal that they sang a hymn. Matthew 26:30 tells us the same “When they had sung the hymn, they went to the Mount of Olives” where Jesus foretells “You will all become deserters because of me tonight”.

How often have you listened to one of the Christ Church choirs sing or the organ be played and experienced a sense of transcendence? In Advent the hymns we sing are excellent examples of music as praise. As Advent ends and Epiphany begins we proclaim the birth of Christ with “Hark the Herald Angels Sing; Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled; Joyful all ye nations rise; Join the triumph of the skies; With angelic host proclaim; Christ is born in Bethlehem; With angelic host proclaim; Christ is born in Bethlehem”.

This Advents season, please visit The Nativity Window on the west wall of the sanctuary near the stand of votive candles and note the incredible details in it. Made in Munich in the studio of Mayer & Company, it is a very fine example of German stained glass, which is known for its soft colors and muted tones. The angels in the middle lancet are serenading the new born Christ child with instruments and a stylized Star of Bethlehem appears above. Sheaves of wheat form the thatched roof of the stable and there is more wheat below the manger. Wheat symbolizes hope and charity and wheat kernels signify birth, the future, and an awakening that scatters the darkness. To read more about this window, please visit the Christ Church website, https://christchurchgreenwich.org/the-nativity/, which is under the Learn Tab, Arts & the Sprit and then Our Stained Glass Windows.

Sources: The Windows of Christ Church, William E. Van Brunt, Jr., 1989; all scripture is from the NRSV Bible.