From time to time I’ll hear radio stations use the phrase, “music and ministry,” which, ever so subtly, infers that music isn’t ministry. Perhaps that dates to a time that many of us remember that Christian radio stations had long talk blocks, and that music was often considered the “fill” between what was considered the real ministry.

That still is in the conversation as stations discuss the value of playing Christmas music to reach new listeners.

My pastor’s comments today help give me a moment of clarity.

“Music has always been the clearest place where God sneaks up on me. Always. Sometimes it happens by reading things. Most of the time it happens by hearing things… I’m a thinker… but I don’t think my way toward God. More often than not I feel His approach. I feel it in melodies and moods. In sudden moments when a song hits a nerve I didn’t know was exposed. Music has carried me when words failed. It still does. When prayer felt impossible when all I could do was listen.

For me music isn’t background noise; it is a carrying mercy. It cracks me open. It wakes me up. It softens what life has hardened. And that softness is grace in practice. The freedom I feel in music is the freedom of grace. The freedom to be free. The freedom to be expressive. The freedom to be myself. The freedom to be human. The freedom to be fully alive.”

Tullian Tchividjian

In this Christmas season every tool we have to reach people is nothing less than a gift from God.