Scripture Through Music
Posted on Dec 11, 2025 by Pastor Jealaine Marple
This Sunday, our choir will tell the story of Jesus’ birth through beautiful music and lyrics. My gratitude goes toward the choir members and Heather Lewis for making this happen!
I once was at a preaching conference and a lecturer said, “If you have nothing to preach on, open the hymnal. Each hymn is a sermon.” I love that idea.
If you have been in church recently, you have already heard one of the songs from the cantata, “With Open Hearts.” It really captures the essence of Advent. It says, “With open hearts, we are waiting. With open hearts, now we pray. In our quietness, we are calling, ‘Lord, come to us today …’”
Then the ladies in another piece echo what we think might have been Mary’s feelings after having been visited by an angel and was told she will bear the Savior of the world. “May the things you say, I will obey. Your kingdom come, let Your will be done through me.” What bravery! And this isn’t just for Mary. God dares us all to be this brave.
Of course, the men are not left out. A song they are featured on wrestles with what Joseph might have been feeling. “Joseph, Joseph,” the song says, “will you obey, though you are tempted to turn and walk away?” Sometimes it’s hard to remember that Mary and Joseph were real people with real human emotions that probably struggled just like you and I. I love the way music can portray that struggle in a way that sometimes words alone just can’t.
In one of our pieces, you will hear a snippet of “Joy to the World,” which is a classic, of course. But the words “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!” is a sermon in itself! The idea of “let Earth receive her King” is what made Jesus a threat to the empire — it is what got him killed. We are singing of the joy of this newborn baby and yet foreshadowing what will lead to the cross. Music does that in a way that words alone simply cannot.
A mission partner shared with me this week that they are just having trouble getting into the holiday spirit. I assured them that they are not alone. If you are in a similar position, perhaps music is your answer. I don’t mean the overplayed Christmas tunes you hear in the grocery store (I’m looking at you, Mariah Carey) but the familiar hymns that ground us in Advent and Christmas practices. Open a hymnal. Sing through a few songs, but slow it down. Focus on the words. Reflect on the message that is there. Does the music echo the words? For example, in “Joy to the World” the word “joy” is the highest note, the emphasis being on the feeling of joy and an almost shout over all the other notes.
I cannot wait to share this gift of the cantata with you this Sunday. I hope you enjoy the music, but more importantly, I hope you enjoy the words and a new way of hearing scripture!
Peace,
Pastor J