They
do, you know – heaven and nature sing – nature tells of God’s power and his
majesty, and heaven sings a ballad of God’s love for man.
When
you hear a song, do you ever wonder why it was written? I expect that the composer had something he
wanted you to know or to feel – something he himself felt.
But
- if we are going to feel it, it must speak to our hearts.
Like
for instance I have a favorite - a wonderful little song, called I’m drinking
from my saucer ‘cause my cup has overflowed – it speaks of gratitude. It touches my heart and helps me feel the
gratitude that the author must have felt.
Then
in a richer vein, we listen to the majestic Messiah, by Handel. It raises our eyes to the Glory that is God
and we feel awe and reverence.
It
speaks to our heart.
When
God created the world, He put music into his creation: the song of the birds, the
pounding roar of the waves, the whistle of the wind, the drum of the thunder, the
bugling of the elk, the howl of the coyote, the purring of the kitten, and the
song of the whales and the dolphin. All
creation sings of the creator.
Some
music takes the composer a long time to complete. The song we’ll be talking about today took
forever. It was started long ago and was
never played until Jesus came to earth.
One
extraordinary night over 2000 years ago, the hosts of heaven rejoiced.
They
were getting ready to witness a special performance of a song, born in the
heart of God, even before the world began.
A
virgin whose name was Mary, was privileged to hear the opening strains of the
music when an angel told her that the Messiah was to be born, and that she would
be the vessel used by God to bring His Son to earth. The song that had been written eons ago would
at last be sung.
God’s
song, written for love of mankind, was named “forgiveness.”
But
there’s more to come. God knew the singers
and He wrote the song.
And
then on that wonderful opening night, the Baby - the King, the one who would be
called, Immanuel, was born, not in a palace, but in a stable – a lowly stable.
And
when the curtain was raised, I believe God may have shouted, “It has begun!” I picture showers of starlight dancing across
the evening sky; each tiny bit of light singing “Glory, Glory, Glory to God in
the Highest.” Perhaps there were
invisible angels, singing the song, flying in formation, accompanying the King
to earth.
The
magnificent light show was seen by the shepherds, tending their sheep on the
hills of Bethlehem. They saw the angels
– majestic heavenly beings - appearing in Bethlehem’s black sky. Angel voices spoke the song. They told the shepherds,
“For unto
you is born this day in the city of David, a savior which is Christ the Lord.”
With
power and glory they sang God’s song - music falling down from heaven with the
stars. Immanuel is born, God is with
us. “Forgiveness is coming to mankind.”
Out
on the hills of Bethlehem the shepherds watch the night.
Light
from a feeble campfire glows
on
faces bearing earthly woes
and
waiting for the light.
Then
from the quiet
A
chord resounds
and
thunders ’cross the sky
A
chord that sings of hope for man.
A
chord revealing heaven’s plan –
It’s
music from on high.
The
song was born –
Forgiveness
came,
to
sleep upon the hay.
Man
need no longer be alone. The Son of God would make his home on earth with us
that day.
The
song –
the
word of Life was sent
to
rescue us from Sin
Heaven
and nature joined the choir
Singing
Glory, Glory ever higher
Salvation
would begin.
And
Jesus is the Song.
Jesus
is the Word.
Jesus
is forgiveness.
Jesus
is Immanuel – God is with us!
Yes,
the song was born, He lived with mankind.
He suffered for us. And He lives
in our hearts today. May you know the
joy and peace that comes from the heart of God.
