Sing in Exultation - Advent Devotional: Introduction

“Sing choirs of angels, sing in exultation Sing all ye citizens of heaven above; Glory to God, all glory in the highest: O come, let us adore Him, Christ The Lord”

-O Come All Ye Faithful

Why this emphasis on singing? Why this emphasis on praise? Must we sing about Christ to fully embrace and enjoy the grace given to us in the Christmas story? Simply put, the answer is yes.

When we turn to the Gospel of Luke, we see in Luke 2:13-14 that the response of heaven to the birth of Christ was praise. “And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on the earth peace among those with whom He is pleased.’” For the heavenly beings, those who even beheld the preincarnate Christ in heaven, their immediate response is praise.

C.S. Lewis helps us to understand why praise is the only fitting response, both for the angelic host and for us today. See what Lewis says: “[Previously] I thought of [praise] in terms of compliment, approval, or the giving of honor. I had never noticed that all enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise.” That is, for us to truly enjoy Christ, we will inevitably respond in praise. Lewis continues: “I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation.” Our praising of Christ is the means by which our joy in Christ is made complete.

So let us sing this Advent season. Let us sing in exultation. And not with our lips alone, but with our minds thoughtfully engaged and our hearts full of joy in Christ. Make your joy complete this Advent season by joining in the songs of exultation with brothers and sisters. As a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20), join your voice with the angelic hosts, “Glory to God in the highest!” Indeed church, this Advent season, come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!