Touching the Doors of Heaven

The majestic 40 voices of the North Shore Male Choir filled the St Mary’s Church, Northcote in Auckland, New Zealand. Two other guests – a duet of tenors and a young soprano – brought the level of performance higher with classical hymns interpreted with exquisite precision.

As the Christmas concert on December 13 went on its final set, TawagAwit with 10 singers (5 males and 5 females) took the stage in front of the altar and sang two numbers, a sweet melody “Who will send a Baby?” and a Christmas medley consisting of a Visayan song, a Tagalog carol and its English translation. All of our members are untrained musicians who do not read notes, so it was natural to feel intimidated by the other performers. As Jenny Fox started playing the opening melodies of the first song on piano, we started softly like singing a lullaby. By the end of the song, we could feel that we had touched the hearts of the audience.

Before we rendered the second song, Seminarian Larry Rustia, dedicating the song “Have a Merry Little Christmas” to his deceased father, intense in emotion made a few shed tears. We then lifted up everyone’s spirit as Bro Bert Adviento and I strummed the acoustic guitars, and the female members swayed to “Ania Kami/Ang Pasko ay Sumapit”.  A spectator later said, “I felt the warmth of the sun with your Spanish inspired melodies and I could feel the joy and fun, though I could not understand what you were singing.”

Sis Cez Nacario had our performance videotaped by her daughter; and a day later gave me feedback that she noticed that as we sang the life-size crucifix of Jesus seemed to glow as we performed. Prior to our performance as we usually do, we prayed for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and we offered our songs to the birthday celebrant, Jesus Christ. Each time we render music offerings to the Lord, we seem to touch the doors of heaven.

God loves to listen to music that honours Him. “For the Lord your God is living among you...He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” (Zephaniah 3:17) Thus, let us “sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.” (Psalm 33:3) When we turn God’s written Word into music and share these with others, we become true disciples. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:16)

by Mel Libre