Go Tell It On The Mountain

by Jim Pearson - Cove resident bluegrass aficionado

I love all five of my senses (sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste) and would not willingly want to give up any of them. They are a gift from our Lord and certainly allow me to more fully enjoy and experience His creation. As we move into the Christmas season, all of our senses are stimulated like no other time of the year. I love the lights and the trees. I love the smell of Christmas dinner coming from the kitchen and the taste of turkey and dressing, casseroles, fruit, and desserts. The contrast of the cold weather outside with the warmth of the fireplace is unique. And then, there are the wonderful sounds of Christmas.

For those of you who really know me, you know that I love music, all kinds of music. My earliest exposure was from my grandmother, who was a pianist, piano teacher, and band director. She was a phenomenal musician who studied piano at both Cincinnati and St. Louis music conservatories. As a child, she learned to play by watching a player piano and then, as a teen, she played for the silent movies at the movie theater in Gurley (imagine that).

My grandmother taught me how to play the piano, and I also play banjo/guitar/mandolin in a bluegrass band and, believe it or not, there is a whole set of bluegrass Christmas music. Many of you are probably cringing at the thought of a banjo playing Christmas music but it's really a lot of fun.

On a more spiritual note, there are other sounds of Christmas that are / were not man-made. Recall the scene where the angels told the shepherds that Jesus had been born. Imagine what the voice of a real angel sounded like and then the sound of a host of angels praising God and singing. Unbelievable! I like to imagine the combination of sound and lights. Best concert ever! Period!

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”  - Luke 2:8-15 (NIV)

Don't you find it interesting that The Lord chose to reveal Himself to the shepherds, a really rough group of people who were probably just having a normal evening, trying to stay warm and keep the herd safe through the night? Maybe they were gathered around a bonfire and then all of sudden this beautiful sound came to them from The Lord. And, their response was to run into town and tell everyone the good news. Wouldn't it be great if our response to the sounds of Christmas was to go out and tell the good news? 

Jim and his family (Ginger, Mary Scott, and Calvin) came to Cove Church in 2003. Since then, he's been a leader in Kids Cove, Student Ministry and adult small groups, and generously shares his musical gifts with children and adults throughout the church. 

If you're suddenly in the mood for some bluegrass Christmas music, check this out!