As we heard of donkeys being sung to, this past Sunday,
tonight we see that singing is no small thing that happens only once in awhile.
For, we just heard of singing in three different places in holy Scripture: the
Psalms, which were always sung, Simeon, who sang to us our Nunc Dimittis, and St. Paul who tells us that
the Church sings.
The founding father of all of the Lutheran churches in
Indiana, Friedrich Wyneken, says this about singing, when he first arrived in America : “ America
Even Dr. Luther says that “next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. The gift
of language combined with the gift of song was given to man that he should
proclaim the Word of God through music.”
Though we do not need these wonderful men of God to tell us
something that Jesus has already told us, that if we were to be silent, even
the very rocks would cry out! (Lk. 19:40) So, if you don’t want to sing, Jesus
will have someone or something else sing.
As Lutherans, we believe St. Paul when he wrote to the Romans, “So
faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” And
so, throughout our liturgy on Sunday mornings, we hear and respond with a
faithful confession. We listen to the sermon, that is, the preached and
proclaimed word of God into the ears of the hearers. The sermon is faith
being preached. To that end, faith is edified and grows. Hymns, simply
put, are sermons set to music.
Thus, as we sing the beautiful language of the hymns of our
forefathers, we combine our voices with theirs, throughout all of history. Not
only those faithful people, but also with angels and archangels and all the
company of heaven.
What did heaven do at Christ’s birth? Sang. What did heaven
do at the Resurrection? Sang. All the times in between and since has been
filled with singing. And ours are to be no different.
The prophets of the Old Testament did not make use of any
art except music; when setting forth their theology they did it not with
geometry, cook books, games, or astronomy, but as music (AE 49:428) so that you
would hear what is profitable and more deeply impress true doctrine upon your
souls.
What we sang this evening is no different. From the 4th
century A.D., St. Ambrose’s words still preach
Christ crucified for us. They are still as fresh and relevant today as they
were 1700 years ago.
In 8 stanzas he practically confesses the entirety of what
faith believes in. Faith can not help but sing out these wonderful truths about
Jesus. If it can’t sing, it will at least speak the words.
So we hear the venerable bishop of Milan and believe that the Lord chose to be
born of a virgin, the Christmass miracle. That it was by the Spirit, in order
that Jesus be free from sin and yet still be a true man.
We believe that it is a mystery how the virgin remained a
virgin, yet in her womb Jesus sat upon His throne, thus sanctifying being
pregnant and all stages of fetal development. It is Mary’s womb, that pure and
kingly hall, from which Jesus steps forth headlong towards the cross.
Being God He healed many, even riding a donkey to His death.
But hell and death could not hold Him. Jesus rose and is able to take back the
throne and crown of Life. Only the Father’s Son could do this, not spiritually
or figuratively, but in the flesh. And it is in the flesh that He is able to
heal us all perfectly either in life or in death.
This heroic course begins in a womb and a manger, a feeding
trough for unclean animals. Full of slobber and mess, the Light of the World
shines forth. Darkness is dispelled in this way and no other. Faith is given by
this man in this way and none other.
The Word of Christ, not the word of man, richly dwells
within the Church in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Col. 3:16). And where
the Word of Christ is, there Christ Himself is, doling out His blood-bought
gifts.
So, it is vital not just that a congregation sing hymns
which are technically error-free; the hymns must proclaim Christ and His
benefits; in a word, the Gospel.
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