December 23, 2018 - Fourth Sunday in Advent - Sing Out with the Music

This service's Prelude music was Debi's request for a composition called Nativity, 2018. This Prelude set the tone for today's sermon which, in turn, set the tone for a day filled with music that touched the soul.

Pastor Ray preached about Luke being filled with songs like the Nunc Dimmittis or Mary's Magnificat many ring in our ear, like the Magnificat, as songs of resistance. Nativity, 2108 is a song of resistance as well.

For years I have followed musicians who have faith that music makes a difference. I have believed in and witnessed songs that transformed people.

These songs are usually heartfelt, clear-eyed and pure. We Shall Overcome functioned in this purpose for the civil rights movement for example. I would rather call these songs of vision rather than songs of resistance. They are invite us to new visions rather than than putting up barriers. We need to find the song that strikes the vision in our heart.

As I wrote it was a day filled with how music can function.

After service I wathed the biopic Walk the Line. In the film after Johnny Cash auditions for Sam Phillips with a cover of a Jimmy Davis song Sam Phillips responds to Cash's appeal to his criticism by saying the band was not given the chance to bring the cover home. This is Phillips' response:

Bring… bring it home? All right, let’s bring it home. If you was hit by a truck and you was lying out there in that gutter dying, and you had time to sing one song. Huh? One song that people would remember before you’re dirt. One song that would let God know how you felt about your time here on Earth. One song that would sum you up. You tellin’ me that’s the song you’d sing? That same Jimmy Davis tune we hear on the radio all day, about your peace within, and how it’s real, and how you’re gonna shout it? Or… would you sing somethin’ different. Somethin’ real. Somethin’ you felt. Cause I’m telling you right now, that’s the kind of song people want to hear. That’s the kind of song that truly saves people. It ain’t got nothin to do with believin’ in God, Mr. Cash. It has to do with believin’ in yourself.

Cash answers the challenge by singing Folsom Prison Blues.

That is one way a musical vision can transform a listener. I also went to a concert in the afternoon where I heard Creator's former Music Minister, Kelly Carlisle's composition and arrangement of Lord Let Your Servant Depart in Peace - Nunc Dimmitis. The vision was different in every way but just as powerful. Public rather than personal, about peace within rather rather than discontent.

I can only hope I would have time to sing both songs like these before I die.