Cry aloud, inhabitants of Zion, ring out your joy, 
for the great one in the midst of you is the Holy One of Israel.

 - From Isaiah 12

Isaiah 12, in the middle of an ecstatic discourse about God's eternal salvation, finally coming to earth, in the form of His Son, Jesus Christ, continues the refrain of full-hearted praise to God.

It is good that Christmas is affiliated with so many beautiful hymns and carols of praise and remembrance. Of course, you cannot say what I am about to, in these times, without being branded narrow and bigoted. But truly, when considering the theory of what makes music beautiful, and the elements that go into effective chord structure and the melodic lines that bring life to music . . . has there been a genre of music in all of history, that has produced finer works of music?

Even two of the most familiar and beautiful melodies of all time, Silent Night, and Greensleeves, are rooted in the Christmas tradition. And both came from the people, from common, everyday folks like you and me.

So as we move ahead into the Advent season, be sure to sing much, to sing loud, and to sing with joy.