For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

(Isaiah 9:6, KJV)

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My Story of Christmas has lyrics and melody. As a child, I loved the baby Jesus “Away in a Manger” in the “Silent Night.” As an adult, singing alto in church choirs brought into my daily routine the richness of cantatas and musicals that required long hours of rehearsal beginning just after Labor Day. The entire fall season joyfully focused on the birth of the Holy Child, as we memorized Scripture with a tune and bonded through learning grand choral music. How fondly I remember those who have sung alongside me.

The highlight was being a part of the Singing Christmas Tree in a large Houston church. Night after night I scampered toward the top of a thirty-foot tree that held three hundred choristers to praise God with two hours of music, including “O Holy Night,” “Mary’s Boy Child,” and, of course, Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” Exhaustion, excitement, and exhilaration mounted as we presented God’s good news and watched listeners in tears stream forward from the pews while we sang “There’s Room at the Cross.” Many loved ones in heaven today were among those who came.

Does your Christian life have a soundtrack? Thank God for putting His message into the hearts of faithful songwriters who give us the means to worship Him as well as to remember His words and share His story. And thank Him for committed musicians—leaders, instrumentalists, and singers. What music evokes memories that bless you, transport your spirit, and redirect your focus to God’s great gift of the baby in the manger who made room at the cross for all of us? Hallelujah!