Day 4: Singing a Carol of Hope

Collins talks about how during this season there is music everywhere, but for most people, the music is just in the background, they don't take the time to listen to the lyrics. He encourages us to listen to the music, how it echoes the joy and hope found in this season.

"Probably no sermon has ever touched souls in as passionate a way as have "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "Silent Night," and "Joy to the World." This is how most children first learn of Jesus' birth. Music can build a children's deepest impressions and clearest visions of a spiritual Christmas if we make sure they understand the lyrics. Music opens the door to the heart. But to really have their full power, the songs must be more than background music."

"By putting a song in your heart, you become more like the angles who brought the news of Christ's birth to earth, and like the shepherds who left their flocks to honor this new King. By having a song in your soul, you join with the earliest Christians in the melody of faith."

He asks us to take a moment and listen, embrace the message of the song, and feel the wonder of the season. The tip for today is to listen to the music. I have a wonderful cd of Christmas music that Bryan brought me at Thanksgiving... I listen to it each time I am in the car.

Merry Christmas!