The Power of a Song

One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season is the music. I love putting on the 5 CD's of Christmas-mix music that my brother created for me. There is something about hearing Bing Crosby's White Christmas followed by Run DMC's Christmas in Hollis that perfectly suits my personality :)

But there's more...there always seems to be an overflow of musical specials on this time of year and I'm a sucker for them all! Carrie Underwood does a Christmas program and sings her heart out...Josh Groban's rendition of O Holy Night gave me chills...the incredible Celtic Women (what can they NOT do?)...this year I was introduced to what is sure to be a new holiday favorite by Straight No Chaser!

A few nights ago I was watching the Kennedy Center Honors (to keep my musical fix going) and experienced one of the most stirring versions of The Rising by Bruce Springsteen, performed by Sting as a tribute to The Boss. I watched Mel Brooks sing along with every score performed in his tribute...with utter joy on his face. I watched jazz pianist Dave Brubeck marvel as his own sons carried on the passion and tradition of this legend.

As I experienced each and every one of these moments, I was moved. I saw their passion. It stirred something in me. And then I quickly remembered another moment that grabbed my spirit in an even deeper way.

The circumstances weren't happy ones...I was at a funeral. I was at a church with beautiful stained glass and pews. There was a choir and choir music. And then it happened...the choir started to sing "How Great Thou Art" as only a choir that has been singing with a church choir their whole life can. There she was. Second row, third person in. She must have been 70+ years old...and she was singing her heart out. Not just singing the words mind you. While everyone else properly held their choir folders in their hands and looked at the director, this woman closed her eyes, tilted her head upward and belted out the words to her Lord with a smile that stretched across her face. She didn't care who was in the room...it was just her and Jesus...and I felt it. I couldn't stop watching her. I couldn't stop taking it in. I felt like she took me to the feet of our Savior and I was blessed.

See friends, songs can have power because of their range and musical dynamics. We can marvel at the talent and skill of the artists. Sometimes the song isn't even that great but we love the singer or the writer, so we just give it admiration anyway. But nothing, NOTHING is as moving as authenticity. And when you experience that - then you know the power of a song.