The First Christmas Concert

“Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger” (Luke 2: 10 -12).

The extraordinary joy of listening to a beautiful Christmas music is beyond comparison. If we look back, the first Christmas concert was conducted by the angels and the poor shepherds who didn’t have much background in professional music were the audience. The singing was not too loud or too low but was loud enough to reach the ears of those who were willing to listen. The light setting was provided by stars from heaven and the stage was set in the open air auditorium. The invitation was free but the willingness to accept it, was a requirement to hear the music. The angels, the stars, the shepherds and the sheep together illumined the dark night with a glow of magical light and music. They were on the march to see and hear something extra ordinary – the greatest music ever sung to humans. Because, the conductor of the music was God himself. The theme of the song was about a gift humanity would be receiving soon. God has set the stage for this concert thousands of years ago, to be precise, when Adam and Eve began to enjoy the wrong music forgetting God’s command not to touch the ‘forbidden fruit’ while they are acting in the Garden of Eden on the theme of human life.

They sang on the wrong note and the music for the human race got ‘corrupted’. God rewrote the lines for this music for Adam’s children with the life of his own Son. The 'corrupted' music was corrected by God’s Son through his Incarnation into human history. As this music has reached the surface of the earth, heaven and earth has been reunited again.

On the same note - the tickets were sold out, but not many showed up or were spiritually prepared to listen to the music sung by the angels of God. The content of the music was the good news of the birth of the expected Messiah. The conclusion of the song was “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Lk. 2: 14). When the concert was over, the shepherds could not sleep because of the overwhelming joy. Where the angels stopped, the shepherds began their singing: “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” (Lk. 2: 15). This was something like the Jews sang during their annual pilgrimages to the Temple: “I rejoiced when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD’.” (Ps.122: 1). The shepherds were dancing and singing in their journey to ‘Bethlehem’ – the house of bread. In that house of bread they saw the life giving bread.  The little baby in the manger joined in their singing with an innocent smile which brought an instant joy and healing into the life of those shepherds. He moved his little legs and hands to welcome them. They didn't realize that this hands would one day be stuck in a cross for a permanent solution to fix the song which went wrong. Who, but the innocent and humble shepherds, could ultimately travel just to see a helpless child in swaddling clothes by listening to the song of the angels! Because of their faith and hope, they experienced what was predicted by the prophet Isaiah: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone” (Is. 9: 1). What the shepherds experienced could be experienced by all those, who are willing to follow the message of the song.

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The shepherds’ journey reminds us of our journey to see Jesus. But very often I stay locked in myself, seeking my own interests, forgetting the peace offered to me… I must begin the journey… striking the tiny light in the midst of an overpowering darkness. We are always be assured that the angel’s Word has already been Incarnated. I need to respond to the invitation God has given me to join in the chorus with his music at this stage of life on my journey to experience my union with God. The journey begins here… the concert starts here… I just have to buy a ticket…It is still on sale… If you need a ticket please call the office opened next to the manger in Bethlehem.

 “Once again we are assured that, in spite of all the noise and nonsense, to day, December 25, is Christmas just as truly as two millennia ago. Once and for all God has started out on his journey toward us, and nothing, till the world’s end, will stop him from coming to us and abiding in us” (von Balthasar). Here is God coming to us- When am I starting my journey to see and worship him?

 

I will be on Christmas vacation for few weeks and will try to update every week if I get some time to write. If not I will resume writing by the middle of January.