CANTICLES FOR THE MORIBUND
Luke 1:46-55

A sermon given by the Rev. Richard H. Taylor
December 19, 2004 / Fourth Sunday of Advent

Have you ever noticed in the Christmas story how most everyone is singing? There is Mary's great Magnificat that the choir is singing today. Then John the Baptist's father Zechariah gets to sing the Benedictus, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who has visited and redeemed his people...". When Mary and Joseph take the baby Jesus to the Temple they are greeted by Simeon and Anna, and Simeon sings the Nunc Dimitus, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace...". And I haven't even mentioned the angels yet! Angels singing to shepherds, entire heavenly hosts of angels, praising God and saying Gloria! And there are also the individual angels, angels like Gabriel, who sometimes gets to play a trumpet as well as sing. Music, music, music. And shepherds who have heard the song get to clamber and make noise as they lead their sheep, with bells around their necks, into Bethlehem to see this thing that has come to pass. Bach even seems to want the stars of heaven to sing: "Break forth O bounteous heavenly light..."

Some of these are what are called canticles, officially songs from the Bible, although I think canticles can any kind of song of faith.

I love to sing. Sometimes I think it's the best part of Christmas: those old carols known so well. The Bible uses the same word for breath, air, wind, and Spirit. Singing has to do with breath, and air, your wind pipes, and so singing is really connected with the state of your Spirit.

But I think we are losing something in our culture. Singing seems on the way out. Often even people who come to church just stand there, hardly even look at a hymnal. How can someone worship without praising God?

Oh, I guess there are reasons.

Music has been professionalized. We don't think we are as good as those entertainers on the television or at PPAC, or at the Dunk. So we watch. There are even new mega-churches where the music is an entertainment. You sit in some theatre-type chair and watch. Instead of worship it becomes a nondescript, aloof commentary on the ability of someone to entertain us.

Plus we haven't learned. Despite all of Lowell Mason's efforts, music is being cut out of many a school. No one taught many of us. We feel off key, we may feel too stupid to join the choir. So we mumble and watch and miss oh so much.

Praise is assigned to the experts.

That may be why you don't feel happy this Christmas. Praise has been assigned to the experts. Put a little praise in your mouth and you may be surprised how tasty it is. Don't let some memory of someone who told you that you were a monotone or off-pitch deny you the opportunity to sing "Gloria in excelsis!" Remember the Bible says "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!" So what if you can't hit the right pitch? God loves a joyful noise. When was the last time you made a joyful noise? Won't you do it this Christmas? Try saying "thank you." Try saying "God be praised." Try saying "I love you." Try a little song. To be spiritual uses your air, breath, wind to proclaim praise, to say thanks, to sing Gloria!

Now some of you may be saying "Ah but he can sing, he doesn't know how hard it is." Or some may be saying "You don't know how embarrassing it is when people put me down." This can be a cruel world.

But listen, when I was in grammar school the class I most often got weak grades in was music. My teachers really thought I had no rhythm. Maybe I didn't.

And last month I learned something. When I got back home – oh so sick – from my niece's wedding, I sat over there on a Sunday and had no voice. Those of you who know me probably know how hard that was. Richard Taylor with no big booming voice! But I learned a few things. I learned I could open the hymnal and follow the words. I learned I could tap my toe to the beat. I learned I could hear the notes in my head even if my throat can not reproduce them.

Won't you have that kind of Christmas? Tap along with the choir. Think of the meaning of theirs and Mary's words. Hear the notes in your head. And whenever and wherever possible – make a joyful noise. Be happy, cheerful, burst into song! From chestnuts to jingle bells to Gloria, let your spirit be a music spirit. The Bible says its that kind of a season. Sing and enjoy!

Amen.