1. “Memories” Lyrics
2. This time of year brings a flood of memories.
a. Some are positive, some negative
b. Yet, they are powerful
3. One powerful Memory-Maker is Singing
a. “Carols” = hymns; songs, choruses, chants
b. Even non-Christians enjoy Christmas Carols [The Jewish composer, Irving Berlin wrote one of the most famous Christmas songs, White Christmas – now we want snow at Christmas
c. Growing up I looked for a star in the east on Christmas eve because of a Christmas song
4. Singing fuels memory and excitement – if you hear a song on the radio that you have not heard in 10 years, you will likely remember the words if you liked the song
a. Many songs comfort and energize us [L. Smith taking comfort in the old hymns when his mother died
b. This is especially true at Christmas time with the songs we sing
5. Ephesians 5.18-20; James 5.13
I. Singing for the Redeemer and the Redeemed
A. Singing and the Godhead – Our Redeemer
1. God – Zephaniah 3.17
17 The LORD your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
[Especially Moms and lullabies
2. Jesus – Matthew 26.30
30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. [Hallel, Psalms 113-118
3. Holy Spirit – Ephesians 5.18b-19
. . . be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart
B. Singing and Christians – the Redeemed
1. We sing “carols” – Psalms, hymns, spiritual songs (Ephesians 5.19; Colossians 3.16)
2. Psalms = songbook of the early church (and Israel)
3. Power in song
[Scottish poet, Thomas Carlyle, “Let me make a nation’s music and I care not who makes the laws. I will control the nation.”
[Sociologist Serge Denisoff, “If you want to reach young people in this country, write a song, don’t buy an ad.” [advertising jingles – I’d like to teach the world to sing. . . .; “OK’s oldest jeweler since (1892)
II. Singing and the Root of Our Motivation
A. Out of Gratitude for Redemption
1. “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
2. Actually – SAYING – Luke 2.13-14
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
3. We Know:
a. Joy in Heaven
b. God sings over us
c. WE sing because we are redeemed, the angels are in a saved state and were not redeemed
4. A Glimpse into Heaven –
Revelation 5.8-14
14.2-3
[Petition for an a cappella night in heaven?
B. Out of a Sense of Awe – Revelation 4.8-11
C. Out of a Natural Desire for Proclamation –
Psalm 107.2
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
whom he has redeemed from trouble
Colossians 3.16
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
1. We naturally send out what has been put in – the good news
2. Compare the Sea of Galilee with the Dead Sea
1. Singing is always a priority for God and His people
2. Don’t just ring in the New Year, Sing it In and carry the song all year
3. Revelation 4.11
