Thursday, December 2, 2010

Music of the Season


With all the beautiful sacred music of the season available to us through CDs or live performances or even Pandora.com, it is sometimes easy to get caught up in the music itself, as though it is an end in itself. But it's not.

C.S. Lewis makes the following statement in The Weight of Glory:

'The books or the music in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not in them, it only came through them, and what came through them was longing. These things - the beauty, the memory of our own past - are good images of what we really desire; but if they are mistaken for the thing itself, they turn into dumb idols, breaking the hearts of their worshippers. For they are not the thing itself; they are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never yet visited....'


That made me think of the beautiful cathedrals and abbeys I love to visit. But I am reminded that it is not the structure itself, nor the builder, nor the skill developed by the builder, nor the architect, nor the vision of the architect that should inspire awe. Rather, it is the Creator, the One who has created both the architect and the builder, Who gives the vision to the architect, the One Who gives the ability to the builder to develop the skill. The beauty, the power, the majesty that come through them through the magnificent cathedral or abbey - give us that feeling of longing that will never be satisfied by anything less than The Source Himself, Jesus Christ.


Colossians 1:16   'For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created through Him and for Him.'

Romans 11:36   'For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.'

7 comments:

  1. I often think how much the wonderful churches and cathedrals add to the beauty of the country. Thank you for you coments on my blog. I didn't know about the service at Cambridge so I looked it up. I don't think we will be making it there but it will be on the radio and maybe tv. The web site said to be in line by 9 am for the 3 or 4 o'clock service, however I can see why it is so popular. Just by coincidence they had a short story about the choir and the carols on tv last night.

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  2. Music that brings honor and glory to God is true music as far as I am concerned. Handel's Messiah is one of those incredible gifts from the Lord. Take a look at my post today; I love the spontaneous outburst (planned though it was.)
    Thank you for your wonderful post! Have a blessed weekend.

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  3. Those cathedrals pale in comparison to the majesty and glory of the Lord that we will behold one day in glory! :)

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  4. I love what you wrote about visiting the cathedrals and abbeys and appreciating the beautiful architecture, but remembering that it is our Creator who created the builder and the architect. There is so much to be thankful for! I love this time of the year and the beuitiful choirs ans spirit of the time of year. I hope you are well! Have a great night!

    Mama Hen

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  5. I found my Christmas CD from Salisbury Cathedral and played it yesterday! Beautiful, but yes, we have to keep the entire picture in our hearts and minds. He is in every voice, chord, and ray of sun that pours through the stained glass. Put that all together, and the memory is even more incredible.

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  6. Lovely post! Sacred music and beautiful cathedrals are no doubt a gift and a blessing that can help us feel closer to God. But who can truly understand the mystery of Christmas?
    http://RaisingFigureSkaters.com

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  7. Thank you, Judy, for reminding us to save our awe and praise for Him, the creator of all we find to be lovely... The source of all beauty! Great quote and post!

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