The Power of Christmas Songs

EDante 
San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, 25 December 2024

As the Christmas season begins, we were greeted by the familiar and heartwarming melodies of Christmas songs. Singing these songs has always been a cherished part of my family’s Christmas celebration, enhanced through the annual Christmas carols organized by the AIT Catholic Community. This year, I was deeply moved by a particular Christmas song I found on YouTube, where a thousand people came together to break a record and bring the beloved hymn “Angels We Have Heard on High” to life. The performance captures the essence of the Christmas season and celebrates the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. The music builds to a dramatic climax, culminating in the powerful line “Gloria in excelsis Deo.” Every time I hear it, the song touches my soul in a profound way.

At the time of writing, this YouTube video has garnered over 65 million views and nearly 26,000 comments. As I read through the comments, I was amazed by the song’s universal appeal—not just among Christians but also among people of other faiths. It was surprising to see how deeply Christmas and its songs resonate with people from all walks of life, across the world.  One comment read: “I'm a Muslim girl from Tajikistan. I love Christmas and its songs more and more. I always wait for Christmas like a child. This song touched my heart.” Another said: “I'm a Hindu, and I absolutely love it. May Jesus bless us all.” And yet another: “I'm an atheist but this song really touched me and moved me to tears. I regard Jesus as a great teacher of mankind, and I hope that someday the world finds peace. Love all.” And finally: “I am Jewish; found this song and it melts my heart. Remember Emmanuel, Jesus was born a Jew. I believe that he, the Lord is our messiah.”

In this piece, I reflect on the role of music in the Christian faith and personal spiritual life. Beginning in the Old Testament, the children of Israel have always entrusted to songs the sincere cries of their hopes, joys and pains. The Book of Psalms, often referred to as the hymnal of ancient Israel, is filled with songs of praise, lament, thanksgiving, and petition. Music was central in the worship practices of the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem. The Levites were appointed to sing as part of their duties (1 Chronicles 15:16; 2 Chronicles 5:12-13). The Israelites used various instruments such as harps, lyres, cymbals, trumpets, and tambourines (Psalm 150). David composed and sang songs as personal acts of devotion to God, showcasing music's role in private worship and prayer (1 Samuel 16:23; Psalms 23, 51).

The New Testament commences with the celebration of the birth of Jesus. At this time, sacred songs were composed. After the angel Gabriel announced that Mary would conceive Jesus, she visited her cousin Elizabeth. In response to Elizabeth’s blessing, Mary sang a hymn of praise: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46-47). This song is known as The Magnificat or The Song of Mary. On the night of Jesus’ birth, a multitude of angels appeared to shepherds in the fields, rejoicing and proclaiming the good news. They praised God with the words: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men of good will” (Luke 2:8-14). This celestial hymn is called The Gloria or The Song of the Angels. Later, when Mary and Joseph presented the infant Jesus at the Temple, the devout Simeon recognized Him as the Messiah. He sang a song of fulfillment and peace: “Lord, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation” (Luke 2:29-30). This hymn is known as The Nunc Dimittis or The Song of Simeon.

During my younger years, I was immersed in the vibrant world of Western pop music from the 1970s and 1980s. These decades marked the golden age of rock, with legendary bands like Queen, Eagles, Bon Jovi, and Duran Duran. It was also a time when singer-songwriters such as Elton John and Billy Joel rose to prominence, alongside iconic figures like Michael Jackson and Madonna. Pop music was undeniably delightful, with its catchy tunes and upbeat rhythms that had the power to uplift moods and bring a sense of joy. Like many young people of the time, I spent countless hours listening to music on the radio or cassette player. Whether studying, relaxing, or even falling asleep, music was a constant companion and became part of my daily life.

In the early 1990s, my wife and I were called to join the Christian renewal movement through a programme organized by Couples for Christ in Bangkok. This renewal focuses on Christ-centered living, personal conversion, and the deepening of faith, while also highlighting the transformative presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Through this experience, my soul was transformed, and I developed a deep appreciation for spiritual songs. While the pop music that I used to love was delightful to the ear, I discovered spiritual songs touch the inner spirit, guiding me into profound prayer and worship. St Augustine says: “He who sings prays twice.” This quote emphasizes the power of music in connecting with God, suggesting that singing elevates the act of prayer to a deeper level of devotion. The impact of these songs is transformative, fostering emotional and spiritual healing while bringing deep peace to the heart. They perfectly nurture the soul, offering spiritual nourishment and grace. Spiritual music possesses a soothing character that it led the soul to harmony with God. 

Does the music we listen to, and sing reflect our inner selves? According to Aristotle, it does. His theory suggests that music imitates the various states of the soul—such as anger, gentleness, and temperance—and can influence our character. He believed that good music positively shapes one's character, while bad music has a harmful effect.  According to Plato, "Music is the language of the soul.". This reflects the idea that music, especially spiritual music, expresses the innermost emotions of the soul and helps one connect with the divine. Early Church Fathers consistently cautioned believers against secular music that promotes immoral content or anti-Christian sentiments. Certain genres, such as rock music, can stir erotic passions, which, if unchecked, may lead to sinful behaviors and destroy spiritual life.

This year, in June, approximately 400 singers and musicians took part in the 4th International Meeting of Choirs at the Vatican. The event discussed topics such as sacred music and the history of Gregorian chant with practical workshops for musicians and choristers. During the occasion, Monsignor Marco Frisina, the director of the Choir of the Diocese of Rome, introduced his new song for young people titled “Christ is My Hope” for the 2025 Jubilee Year.  Frisina said he was thinking about “how important it is to sing about the joy of hope.” “Because everyone thinks with sadness about the things that happen — war, violence, hatred, enmity — but it’s good to sing instead to counter all that, to sing that Christ is our joy and our hope.”

Let us joyfully celebrate this Christmas with heartfelt spiritual songs that glorify God. As the Psalmist proclaims: 'Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!' (Psalm 95:1-2)."