The Gift of Music

Logically and spiritually I realize that Christmas is about the birth of God's son, Jesus Christ; and yet, for me as a child growing up in a musical home, Christmas was definitely enhanced by the music. I grew up in a musical home and almost cannot imagine a home in another way. The sound of the piano was nearly as constant as hearing instruments, trombones, horns, or the stereo, and if that were not enough, you could always hear somebody whistling, humming, or singing. And the music ranged from Beethoven to Mozart to Elton John to jazz, hymns, choruses, folk songs, and the inevitable Gospel "classic." It was as though we could not get enough music and the curiosity about music was infinite, comprehensive, and infectious.

But before I get too astray in my explanation of our musical world, let me return to Christmas. There is something about the Christmas season, with its emphases on festivity, food, fun, and family that begs for more music. While today's technology allows for an inundation of sound, including every elevator, store, barber shop, and automobile, and while some may argue that it is too much, try to imagine a world at Christmas without music. The season of Christmas is manifested in glorious music for all ages and all types of people. We depend on it, and we love it, for it reminds us of the many blessings that surround us, and it reminds us to reach out and bless others.

As a child growing up, we would sing, play, listen, and love the Christmas music that surrounded our lives. Now today, my children once again sing, play, listen, and love the Christmas music. And each Christmas eve, like the generation before, we read the Christmas story, sing Joy to the World, and open some gifts. We then thank each other, and we thank the Lord for the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ. And I always go to bed and thank the Lord for another great and glorious gift--the gift of music.