The Christmas Psalms
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The Bible records or refers to many songs, from the Song of Moses [Deut. 32], the Song of Simeon [Luke 2], the Song of Mary [Luke 1] and of course the song of the angels over Bethlehem, to the glorious songs of the saints and angels in the Revelation. [Rev. 5:9, Rev. 14:3, etc.] By far the richest store of songs found in Holy Scripture, however, is the 150 songs recorded in the Book of Psalms.

Particularly given by God for use in worship, the Psalms have been sung whenever God's people gathered from the time they were first composed, through both the glory and the captivity of Israel, through the intertestamental period and even at the Last Supper (the "hymn" mentioned in Mark 14:26 is generally recognized to have been the traditional closing of the Passover Liturgy, Psalms 115-118). Unlike the ceremonial practices of the Old Covenant, though, the singing of Psalms in worship continued undiminished throughout the development of the New Testament Church.

Over the centuries both the visible Church and public worship became corrupted, eventually all but replacing the Psalms with songs more suited to exciting the senses than building up the soul, but with the Reformation this quickly changed. While hymns remained important in Reformed worship -- Martin Luther himself composed several, including "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" [based on Psalm 46, by the way] -- the Psalms reclaimed their position of primary importance. John Calvin insisted on their use, as have most thoughtful Calvinists since. In faithful Reformed and Presbyterian churches to this day, it is customary and frequently required that the Psalms guide our praise in worship. In the Church Order of the United Reformed Churches in North America, Article 39 states that "The 150 Psalms shall have the principal place in the singing of the churches." Other denominations have adopted similar restrictions, most derived from Article 69 of the 1618-1619 Dordt Church Order.

But as November draws to a close each year, an odd thing occurs in many of these churches. Where three or four Psalms might be sung within a church service during most of the year, as December 25 approaches fewer and fewer Psalms seem to find their place in the Liturgy. In many churches, hardly a Psalm is sung in the entire month of December, at least until the last worship service of the year. As one Minister explained, "There simply aren't any Christmas Psalms." The "topical index" of the Psalter Hymnal seems to bear out the dilemma, as all music related to "Christmas" or "Advent" is taken from outside the Psalms.

One might well ask how a Christian celebration could exist for which God had apparently made no provision, and in fact a significant segment of Christianity, including many of the most insightful theologians of the past five hundred years, questions or flatly denies the legitimacy of this celebration borrowed from pagan precedents. But there is neither question nor disagreement that the incarnation of Christ, the Word made flesh, is among the most significant events in redemption history, not merely deserving but requiring our praise. And for this, the Psalms fulfill our need, in particular (though surely not exclusively!) those which are called "the Messianic Psalms" because they speak of, or were quoted by, our Lord.

How, for instance, can we not see the birth of Christ in the second Psalm? "I have set my King to reign" and "Thou art My beloved Son," our Psalter leads us to sing (Psalter Hymnal #3). See how Psalm 45 (PsH#82) speaks of God among us! The promise of David's son coming into the world (Psalm 89) is the theme of Psalter Hymnal #169. Psalm 110, Psalm 118; so many of the Psalms guide us in praise as we contemplate Immanuel. Whether they speak of His coming, His ministry, His work of redemption, or His eternal reign, it may be that all 150 are, seen aright, the "Christmas" Psalms.

"Then make a joyful noise before Him, O all ye earth, His praises sing; With loud acclaim let all adore Him And let the joyful anthems ring." [Psalm 98, Psalter Hymnal #191]

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Gary Fisher