Christmas is a season for singing, even when the air waves are saturated with the hard, angry sounds of impeachment and political polarization. From the shallow triviality of Frosty the Snowman to the grandeur of Handel’s Messiah, there’s music all around if we listen for it.
“I was so moved on listening to him play Bach that I could not, for some moments, attend to photography.”
When the portrait was on exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, an elderly gentleman stood in front of it for many minutes every day. When the curator asked, “Sir, why do you stand day after day in front of this portrait?”, the old man replied with obvious irritation, “Hush, young man, hush – can’t you see, I am listening to the music!”
Don’t miss this. Karsh heard Casals play Bach. He caught the moment in a picture, and an old man looking at the portrait could hear Bach’s music.
In the same way, Luke painted a word-picture of the “multitude of the heavenly host” singing when Jesus was born. (Luke 2:13-14) Reading Luke’s story, we are invited to hear the angels singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill to all.” In the cacophony of our boisterous time, the challenge during Advent is to listen for the music.
Mark the Music
Regardless of the breaking news headlines and the verbal warfare in social media, there’s music is in the air. The question is whether we — like that old man in the Boston museum — will focus our attention long enough and deeply enough to hear it. Which brings me to a disturbing word from Shakespeare.
(Erebus: “the primordial god of darkness…born out of the primeval void, Chaos…the personification of the deep darkness and shadows.”)
Tragically, it is possible to miss the music, even at Christmas.
We can become so narcissistically self-oriented, so deeply and darkly turned in on ourselves, that we become blinded to the glory of the Lord that shines around us. A person who has “no music in himself” and is “not moved by sweet sounds” becomes capable of “treasons, stratagems, and spoils.” Because they have no joy in themselves, they cannot hear or share the “good news of great joy” that Christ brings for all people. As a result, their attitudes and actions become “dark as Erebus.” In the end, they are not people who can be trusted.
So, here’s my only comment on the impeachment. The saddest thing I can say about Donald Trump is that he seems to fit Shakespeare’s description; there seems to be little or no music in his soul. He appears to be a person who is almost devoid of joy. Instead, he seems to be relentlessly driven by selfish greed, resentment, anger, and grievance. As a result, he drags us into the darkness rather than lifting us toward the light.
Jon Meacham writes that a song may be “a small thing, but in a dissonant world, every moment of harmony counts–and if we share music, we might just shout in anger a little less and sing in unity a bit more. Or so we can hope.”
My deepest prayer for the President and for every one of us is that in the darkness of these days, we, like the shepherds, will catch a glimpse of the glory that shines around us and will once again be able to hear the angels’ song. Mark the music.Merry Christmas!
Jim
Jim Harnish 
Thank you for reminding me! Even that dumb little ditty, “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”, can bring joy to our hearts.
Love, joy and peace to you, my dear friend,
Amy
Beautiful, illuminating message Jim! One I needed to hear. Thank you!
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Jim, I was so hopeful that you could steer clear of politics and your hatred of all things Trump and Republican at least for your Christmas blog. So much beauty in the world, the Glory of the Lord all around us, and countless stories of Christmas blessings that you could have shared. And yet, like almost every other blog you’ve written, Trump is the focus. I wish for you a blessed, Merry Christmas, with no visions of Trump dancing in your head. Don’t let your hatred drag you into the darkness, and don’t miss the music…
My deepest prayer for the President and for every one of us is that in the darkness of these days, we, like the shepherds, will catch a glimpse of the glory that shines around us and will once again be able to hear the angels’ song.Beautifully put!Bonnie
I can’t thank you enough, Jim, for helping me refocus and once again hear and be filled with the joy of Christ’s birth!
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Thank you Jim,
Your piece reminded me of Larry Norman, The Tune.
I found a link on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AlB5oXBfcY
Happy Christmas to you and yours
Laurence
Thanks Laurence, and blessings to you and your family on Christmas!
Christmas greetings to you and your family from a very hot South Africa 😎🍉 Thank you for your continued support and friendship Wgf Roland