Heaven and Nature Sing

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.