This is a series of reflections following my trip to the Holy Lands this fall. What a profound and life-changing experience to walk where Jesus lived. Visiting Israel opened my eyes and refreshed my heart on so many levels – historically, politically, biblically and spiritually.
Music marinated my soul on our trip to Israel. I didn’t realize how deeply the songs we heard and sang still rang within my heart until we were home. My memories anchored in Holy Lands harmonics in a land of not much harmony.
“Music is well said to be the speech of angels;
in fact, nothing among the utterances allowed to man is felt to be so divine.
It brings us near to the infinite.”
~ Thomas Carlyle
The Church of the Angels in Bethlehem’s Shepherds’ Field stands out first in my mind. This church is built in the shape of a shepherd’s tent in the place that could have been the site where the angels announced Jesus’ birth. Painted angels encircle the bright white ceiling, with words written in gold: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
We entered the church – the only group there. We stood in a circle in the bright, round sanctuary and prayed for peace on earth. I really believe the angels joined our reverberating voices as we sang O Come All Ye Faithful and Angels We Have Heard on High.
Me – the one who rarely cries – couldn’t sing after the first verse. The emotion of where we were – the Holy Lands -, the sacredness of sharing this moment with precious friends, and the significance of the story overwhelmed me.
“Music does bring people together. It allows us to experience the same emotions.
People everywhere are the same in heart and spirit.
No matter what language we speak, what color we are, the form of our politics or the expression of our love and our faith, music proves:
We are the same.”
~ John Denver
Music followed our steps throughout our journey:
- This Little Light of Mine – sung and danced to joyfully on a boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee
- Jesus, Remember Me – solemnly chanted, echoing off the walls of the pit where they lowered Jesus before his crucifixion.
- The loud speakers blaring the Muslins’ call to prayers throughout the day.
- The concoction of choruses sung in different languages in Capernaum.
- And I will never forget the boisterous, joyous Nigerians with the loud chants, rhythmic drums and gleeful dance celebrating God’s presence.
Music melts all the separate parts of our bodies together.
~Anaïs Nin
Many people, diverse backgrounds, different languages – all praying and praising the same God.
Music is the language of heaven.
How does music help you worship?
We, too, sang at various locations during our journeys through Israel. One highlight was singing in St. Anne’s Church in Jerusalem, near the Pool of Bethesda. The acoustics were incredible; we sounded like angels!
A friend recently told me that music bypasses the mind and goes straight to the heart. That’s what music does for me in worship. I find my heart responding more intensely when singing instead of just speaking words. And, yes, tears are often a part.
We sang at St Anne’s too. yes those acoustics were great. I did the story telling reflection at the pool of Bethesda. first time for me to really put into practice some of the things I learned at the storytelling workshop i attended last August. I like wha your friend said about bypassing the mind. Makes sense to me. have a great weekend, Nancy!
Jean,
I love getting a peek into your trip and your heart…it sounds like it was a musically and soul enriching experience…and music does connect our hearts with our minds …music helps me to quiet before God…blessings 🙂
Hope you don’t get too bored with my trip reflections. I will probably do 1-3 more then take a break. but it helps me to process all the lessons from the trip this way too. Thanks Dolly – have a great weekend.
Oh, I love this! After the SDG retreat, I have our songs coursing through my head. And Linda wrote a beautiful piece about music for SDG Connections today. I am so grateful for this gift He has given us!
prayed for your retreat too. sounds like it was wonderful, as usual.
Yes! It was so good. God showed up in a mighty way! Thank you for your prayers!
Music IS the heart of worship for me as my husband and I lead contemporary worship every Sunday. I can only imagine how moving it would be to sing those hymns in the Church of the Angels . . . Jean, I do hope you will share more here about your marvelous trip to the Holy Land!
Blessings!
Music certainly enhance worship for me too but it wasn’t until I was home that i realized how much it also brought to this pilgrimage. I will never forget some of those moments!