PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

December 21, 2022

MUSIC

Thursday, December 13, Diane and I had the good fortune to be invited to attend a tea for Alastair Willis, Music Director of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra.  It was a delightful experience.  Informed by his British roots Alastair shared some of his love for tea.  The food, all homemade, was out of this world.  Alastair was a most gracious host who shared some of his own personal story, journey, and passions.

One would “be hard pressed to find a culture, ancient or modern, that does not incorporate music in some aspect of daily life.  Various forms of music complement how people praise and worship deities, announce warfare and implement specific military strategies, initiate communal gatherings, and even provide entertainment.” (The New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, Volume 4. P. 166) Alastair in his bio in the 18/19 Season Play Bill notes this communal nature of music.  “I look forward to many magical concerts with the passionate and skillful musicians of the SBSO.  I want to see our contribution to the quality of life and the arts in South Bend continue deepen and become ever more meaningful.” (p. 5)

Agnieszka Rakhmatullaev, Executive Director of the Orchestra, who was also at the tea shared how the symphony was reaching out to a wider community.  They are making ensembles from the Orchestra available in settings where they are not usually found.  As the symphony draws more people into their support base they help to improve the quality of life in the Michiana Area.

Perhaps more than any other holiday, music is central to the celebration of Christmas.  Schools have lavish concerts that employ the music talents of many musical groups.  Churches go out musically during the Advent and Christmastide seasons.  What would a Christmas Eve service be without lighting candles and singing “Silent Night.”   Secular songs for the season are once again featured.  I’m still waiting for the old favorite “Grandma Got Run Over by a Rain Deer!”  The South Bend Symphony Orchestra celebrated the season with their “Home For the Holidays” featuring tenor Benjamin Brecher, the Notre Dame Children’s Choir, and Spraoi Agus Rince School of Irish Dance.

One of the important functions of music is to tell a story that resonates with a person’s heart and soul.  This is especially true for the Christmas season.  “O Little Town of Bethlehem” tells about the birth of God.  “Angels From the Realm of Glory” is about the visit of shepherds.  “We Three Kings” is about the coming of the magi from the east.  Other Christmas songs help to put the birth of Jesus within the context of God at work to bring about the salvation of the world.  Then there are songs that place the Christmas story within our own personal struggles.

Over my more than fifty years of ministry one of the recurring debates is on which Sunday of Advent is it appropriate to start singing the songs of Christmas.  The purest would say that we should wait until Christmas.  At the other extreme are those who argue for the first Sunday of Advent.  Retailers push the observance of Christmas even earlier.  I am still looking for things for my garden only to discover that the space where they have been has been taken over with Christmas ornaments.

In fact, any Sunday is appropriate to sing the songs of the Christmastide season about the coming of God Incarnate to save His people and to offer the possibility of eternal life.  Music throughout the ages has proclaimed that Jesus Christ is born.