I love this time of year – family traditions and celebrations with friends. As Believers, we have so much to be thankful for and celebrate. As musicians, we in the Lord’s service, have so much to sing about! Don’t we?
Before we jump right into Christmas celebrations and Christmas music, I want us to take a few moments and focus on giving thanks. Because of all the Lord has done for us, we will never be able to exhaust the list of things to give thanks for. But we can make it our goal to give thanks and enter this holiday season with a truly thankful heart.
Colossians 2:6-7 says, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” (ESV) As we grow in the Lord we are to ABOUND in thanksgiving. How often do we abound in complaining instead?
1 Thessalonians 1 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (ESV) The truth of this verse is this: No matter what we are facing, we can thank the Lord for His faithfulness, His sovereignty and His love for us!
1 Chronicles 16:8 says, “Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples.” (ESV) As we give thanks, we are to let others know what God has done for us. A great way to be an effective witness is to give personal testimony of what God has done for you.
Now look at these verses: Psalm 33:2 says, “Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings.” (ESV) And Psalm 92:1 says, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High” (ESV) Did you catch that, musicians? Give thanks with music! Use your instruments! Use your voice! Give thanks through your music and with our music!
Psalm 95:2 says, “Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!“(ESV)
So as we enter into this holiday season, let’s enter with grateful hearts. Consider all that God has done for you and thank Him! Abound in thanksgiving, give thanks in all circumstances, tell others how good God has been. Use your voice to give thanks through your music and with your music.