Article: Let’s Rethink Our Holly-Jolly Christmas Songs

Let’s Rethink Our Holly-Jolly Christmas Songs - Russell Moore

...We ought to make sure that what we sing measures up with the, as this fellow would put it, “narrative tension” of the Christmas story.
The first Christmas carol, after all, was a war hymn. Mary of Nazareth sings of God’s defeat of his enemies, about how in Christ he had demonstrated his power and “has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate” (Lk. 1:52). There are some villains in mind there.
Simeon’s song, likewise, speaks of the “fall and rising of many in Israel” and of a sword that would pierce the heart of Mary herself. Even the “light of the Gentiles” he speaks about is in the context of warfare. After all, the light, the Bible tells us, overcomes the darkness (Jn. 1:5), and frees us from the grip of the devil (2 Cor. 4).
In a time of obvious tragedy, the unbearable lightness of Christmas seems absurd to the watching world. But, even in the best of times, we all know that we live in a groaning universe, a world of divorce courts and cancer cells and concentration camps. Just as we sing with joy about the coming of the Promised One, we ought also to sing with groaning that he is not back yet (Rom. 8:23), sometimes with groanings too deep for lyrics... 
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*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`»FIRST BLOG ENTRY!!.·°·.»♫

For about a month, I've been ready to start this blog.  But writing the first ever post... that was daunting.  What finally made me pick today to do it?  Well...


ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY:


                                     was born Mozart.

While he is probably among the top five most well known musicians and composers in Western Civilization, few people have heard of his whole name given to him on January 27th, 1756: Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart.  Johannes I understand, because everybody was named Johann, right? :) The Italianized-version of Theophilus later replaced Amadeus (meaning "lover of God"), which was a marketing trick back in the 1700's world of music.  However,  Chrysostomus, I was intrigued to discover, was chosen for this future master-musician because January 27th is the feast day of Saint John Chrysostom, the "Golden-tongued," in which people celebrate the life and accomplishments this "golden-tongued" pastor of the 4th century.  Mozart would certainly become a master communicator as well, though in a different way.

How about a little Mozart then?  This is my latest favorite of his choral works: Ave Verum Corpus K.618.

Translation

Piano Solo Sheet Music/Score

So, now, why this blog?  Well, my descriptive blurb at the side will tell you my purpose and focus:  to join a larger musical community online, provide resources, and motivate me to continue honing my musical skills and knowledge, especially as they relate to piano, for the glory of God, a goal which many of my favorite musicians strove for.

"It is a great consolation for me to remember that the Lord, to whom I had drawn near in humble and child-like faith, has suffered and died for me, and that He will look on me in love and compassion."

"Ubi caritas gaudet, ibi est festivitas."  
                                                              "Where love rejoices, there is festivity." 

John Chrysostom

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