(Previously Published on Mrs Words Blog)
Have you ever stopped to think about the words of the songs that you listen to and sing? I mean, really intentionally taken note of the message that is trying to be communicated? Have you spent any time thinking about whether the words in the songs you sing and love actually line up with your belief system?
When you listen to the radio, do you just sing along without really registering what the words are saying and what message is being portrayed? When you worship, do you just sing the words ‘cos that’s the done thing, or do you really mean, understand and believe what you sing?
As you know, I’m all about words. The first thing that I listen to when I hear a new song is the words, followed closely by the melody and then I start to take note of the instruments. We are all wired differently and usually the first thing that a musician hears when they listen to a new song is the sound of the instrument that they play, then they hear the accompanying instruments and then the melody, the harmony and finally, they become aware of the words.
The reason I ask is because this morning my Christmas Worship Devotional was referring to the song “Oh Holy Night”. It emphasised the part about falling on your knees. Which made me really think about the words to this beautiful and much-loved Christmas Carol.
In the devotional, Paul Baloche stated that ‘…when we fall on our knees before the Lord, it isn’t just an act of surrender, it’s an act of civil disobedience against all that this world worships. When we sing of our loyalty and love for Jesus, we are drawing a line in the sand…choosing the place from which we will declare, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” And someday soon, those simple words will be considered a declaration of war against the kingdoms of this world.‘
https://my.bible.com/reading-plans/2050-christmas-worship-devotions
The devotional went on to highlight the powerful Bible text found in Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV):
‘Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’
How incredibly AWESOME is that?!?! Every tongue will confess/acknowledge. Every tongue! That’s sounds like powerful speaking words to me, or perhaps singing words.
I can’t get past the fact that when we are simply singing along to Christmas Carols, we are making a declaration. That the words we sing (and say) are full of power. That, when the Bible tells us that there is life and death in the power of the tongue (see Proverbs 18:21), it’s a real thing and it’s the truth.
I feel challenged to really think about the songs that I’m listening to and singing to; to be more careful of what I read and write; to be more mindful of the words that I speak. I don’t want to waste my words and express things that I don’t mean or believe. I don’t want to promote something that goes against my belief system.
I want to really mean what I sing and really believe the message that is being portrayed. When I worship, I want it to count. When I sing Christmas Carols, I want to truly express my awe, my thankfulness, my appreciation for Jesus Christ my King.
It was a Holy Night when our Saviour was born and we have the privilege to be a part of His wonderful Story. Christmas is all about remembering His birth and being thankful for all God has done for us. We were commissioned to share His Story and to follow Him. We were created to worship Him and bring Him praise. We are compelled to run our race and become more like Him. We have been given eternal life through Him.
“So when you hear this antique Christmas carol, be mindful of the incredible power hidden within its poetic words (and don’t forget to fall on your knees).” I’ll leave you with that!
