“Every Voice Matters”

Luke 2

It is tempting when we hear something as big and wonderful

As the anthem sung and played by the choir and ensemble

To walk away in awe thinking we could never do that.

(and we would probably be right)

I would imagine that was the feeling of the shepherds

As they heard the heavenly hosts that first Christmas night.

The text says: “the glory of the Lord shone around them,

and they were terrified.”

It would have been tempting after that spectacle

For the shepherds just to sit around and talk about it

And to simply soak up the good vibes:

“I bring you good news of great joy to all people,
to you is born this day in the city of David,

a Savior who is the Messiah.”

After all, who else would believe their tiny, puny voices

As they tried to communicate

what they had seen that night.

But aren’t you glad they didn’t do that.

Those shepherds went first of all to check out what the angels

Had sung about- to experience it themselves.

And when they had seen this baby

wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger

then they became the good news messengers.

“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God

for all that they had heard and seen,

as it had been told them.”

Today we are the shepherds.

We have heard the story of Jesus birth told to us.

First the prophets- the teenagers told us to “prepare the way.”

Next the tiny disciples- the children, acted out the story

Of Jesus’ birth, along with the animals who fed at the

Manger Jesus used as a cradle.

And now the heavenly hosts- the choir and ensemble-

Have lifted up our spirits with a wonderful song

Glorifying God in the highest.

Every single instrument in the ensemble matters to get

The full melody and harmony and rhythm of the song.

Every single voice in the choir is necessary to get

The soprano, alto, tenor and bass as well as

The blend that makes many voices

sound as one.

And your voice matters too.

Without your voice, the whole story cannot be told,

Because there are people who hear your voice

Who might not hear any other voice this Christmas.

There are people you touch in your life who will only

See and hear and experience the Gospel message from you.

Now the good news is that you don’t have to take voice lessons

For your voice to be hear and you don’t have to learn

The scales of an oboe or trumpet in order to

Share to wonder of this holy season.

You only need to do what the shepherds did on that

First Christmas morning: “return praising and glorifying God

For all you have seen and heard, as it has been told to you.”

You are shepherds who tell the story in the Christmas season

And your voice matters. Amen