René Maciel: Sing those carols this Christmas

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I have always loved singing. My mom was a singer. She always sang in the choir and was one of those moms who sang around the house. It was in high school, when I had a chance to have a lead part in the musical “Celebrate Life”—now I am telling my age—that I really started singing a lot.

rene maciel headshot130René MacielMusic and singing always have drawn me into worship. A.W. Tozer said, “Worship seeks union with its beloved, and an active effort to close the gap between the heart and the God it adores is worship at its best.” Maybe that is why I enjoy Christmas carols so much. Carols close the gap and allow me to listen to God’s Spirit speaking to me in a deeper way. Christmas carols declare hope to a world that needs hope. This is the music that brings so many into a different frame of mind.

What a great time to sing like the angels, “glory to the newborn king.”For a full month, we get to sing and hear Christmas carols everywhere we go. In churches, shopping centers, cars and maybe at work. David Music at Baylor University said: “Carols are known across cultural, ethnic, national and even religious boundaries. … Another important characteristic of Christmas carols is that they are one of the few elements of American culture in which public religious expression is still readily accepted.”

carolers188It’s time to sing. It’s time to make a joyful noise. Christ has come; he has come for us to proclaim the message of God to our world. God had a redemption plan, and that plan was the Christ child. So, we can rejoice and unashamedly sing those Christmas carols: “Joy to the world, the Lord has come,” “Born is the king of Israel,” “O Come, let us adore him,” and then “Go, tell it on the mountain.”

Texas Baptists, don’t miss this opportunity at this time of the year to sing. Sing those carols. Get your caroling group together, and don’t be afraid to hum or sing loudly those beloved tunes. Let Texas see you rejoicing, and let them hear you sing, “Christ has come.”

Hark, the herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth and mercy mild

God and sinners reconciled.


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Joyful, all ye nations rise

Join the triumph of the skies

With angelic host proclaim:

Christ is born in Bethlehem

Hark! The herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn King!

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René Maciel is president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and president of Baptist University of the Américas in San Antonio.


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