The Songs of Christmas

Christmas

The Church never tires of singing the glory of this night. 

~ Catechism of the Catholic Church, 525

Love songs stir our hearts. Maybe we’ve sung or danced to a favorite with our husband or father. Perhaps we’ve sung memorable songs with children or good friends. We understand Saint Augustine’s preaching, “Cantare amantis est” (“Singing belongs to one who loves”).

Consider the very first Christmas songs.

A dark Bethlehem night with shepherds in a field watching their sheep, when a sudden beat of wings shatters the quiet. A surprise messenger lights up the sky: “Behold, I bring you good news of a great joy.” An astonishing host of angels—a majestic choir—sings across the cosmos. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’” (Lk 2:13–14).

Imagine the wonder of the shepherds privy to the love song of heaven. After which they went in haste to Bethlehem “and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger” (Lk 2:16). When they arrived at the stable, they might have heard a mother’s voice singing a lullaby. How often throughout their lives did the shepherds replay the memories of that night, of those songs? How often do we sing the songs that mean the most to us?

Singing belongs to one who loves.

Jesus, help me to love you with a song in my heart.

To Ponder: What Christmas hymns and carols are most meaningful to you? Listen to them and prayerfully linger over the verses. Ponder their meaning. Then bring your heart to Bethlehem and sing to Jesus.
~ Pat Gohn

Purchase The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion today and get 20% off with FREE standard shipping. Use code PRAYTODAY.
Offer expires January 30, 2022.