And Now The Angels Sing
(a longer version of this reflection is at www.darianduckworth.com/musings)
This upcoming Sunday, December 15, at 11AM is our church’s annual Christmas concert. One of my favorite pieces that we’re working on is an arrangement of “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.” Have you ever noticed how central angels are to the beloved carol? In this holy season, angels’ voices are in a celestial spotlight that grows dim the rest of the year.
Angels are not dainty figurines. They are powerful, celestial beings. They are not decorations but created for decking out evil forces. When they show up in droves in a midnight field of Bethlehem, the initial reaction was not to rejoice but to run! One of the many miracles of Christ’s coming is that the most powerful creatures pause to sing. The terrifying stomp of warrior feet become a heavenly dance among the stars. The presence of God Almighty elicits these mighty beings to worship and serve around his holy throne—even when that throne becomes a manger.
At this Sunday’s concert, we will have an opportunity to “send back the song which now the angels sing” by giving not only to our regular, weekly offering, but also to a special offering for the Sally Kate Winters Home. As the choir sings “Away In a Manger” towards the end of the concert, you may bring your donations forward and leave in baskets on the altar, as is our practice on Communion Sundays.
I look forward to joining the angels’ song with you this Sunday. Remember that we will not have early worship so that we might join in ONE song as ONE church worshiping ONE Lord.
all good things to each of you,
Pastor Darian
Pastor Darian
Lectionary Texts for December 15, 2019
Isaiah 35:1-10
Luke 1:47-55
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11
Isaiah 35:1-10
Luke 1:47-55
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11