Music in a Believer’s Life

Laestadian Lutheran
1 day ago
9 min read

The Voice of Zion December 2025 - Home and Family Articles --

Music shapes our lives in ways words alone cannot. A melody can carry memories, comfort the weary heart, or awaken gratitude and praise. In homes, cars, choirs, and sanctuaries, believers turn to song as a gift from God – whether in moments of joy or sorrow. Our Songs and Hymns of Zion become prayers on our lips and sermons that travel with us wherever we go.

At Christmastime especially, music gathers us. Children sing with bright voices. Choirs rehearse with anticipation. Families pause to remember the story of a Savior who came to earth. As we listen, sing, and choose the music that fills our homes, we also ask what helps us stay close to the gospel and to peace. May these writings by believers from the Williston, N.D., congregation encourage conversation and reflection – and above all, thanksgiving to our heavenly Father, who gives us songs for the journey.

What Christmas Music Do We Listen To?

Blaine and Lydia Simonson

Christmas is an important event in a believer’s life of faith. As in many other parts of Christian life, music is a large part of Christmas. While there are many Christmas songs in the songs and hymns of Zion that are good to listen to, many other Christmas songs and folk tunes are produced outside of the church. Some of this music is not suitable for a believer to listen to, and it is usually quite evident to the believing conscience when this is the case.

If the composition of the music has a worldly feeling to it, using fast-paced melodies, drums, and creating restlessness or an urge to move to the music, then it is something to avoid. This is also the case when the music has lyrics that are about the joys of the world. Conversely if the music creates a peaceful feeling in the heart, and the lyrics are about the birth of Christ, the message of Christmas, and the glory of God, then this is something that is good to listen to.

There are lots of renditions by various artists of songs which appear in the songs and hymns of Zion that would fit in the first category. Although the words they sing are the same as the believers sing in church, the way the song is arranged may create a restless feeling. Other songs are produced for the glory of the artist, to show off their talent and creativity. Still others focus on themes of self-indulgence or lust. Although they may carry the label of a Christmas song, they often have little or nothing to do with the Christmas message. These are all types of songs that a believer should avoid listening to.

In the world’s Christmas music, the focus often shifts to things only loosely related to Christ – whether it is the season of winter, the feelings of goodwill and love, or even Santa Claus. Songs like this have become the core of American culture’s Christmas music. Quite often, there is nothing inherently wrong with these songs. They may be simple and pleasant to hear. However, even these songs pose a danger to a believer. The risk is that they replace the true message of Christmas with a more secular one. Even where the theme is Christmas love and joy, Christ’s birth – the fulfillment of God’s promise – is missing. While the songs may not be bad, they could create a distance between a believer and the teachings of Christ by shifting the focus of Christmas in the believer’s mind.

While many songs produced in the world are the kind a believer should avoid listening to, there are also those that are fine. A believer should be careful about selecting music. Music is a gift from God but is also a very effective tool of the devil. One place we can always be sure of a safe refuge is in the music produced by the church. The reason that Christmas is celebrated is because of the birth of Jesus Christ, and that should be the main focus of the songs we sing and hear.

Music Is a Gift from God

Travis and Rebecca Rintamaki

It is a cold, dark evening in Grenora, but inside the house all is warm and bright. The scent of Christmas Eve Dinner lingers. Our family gathers in the living room around the Christmas tree and sing. With the familiar melody and words of song of Zion 42 come feelings of festivity, as well as gratitude that God gave His only Son so we could inherit eternal life.

It is a hot, sunny morning in Ishpeming, and the thankful words to song of Zion 344 swell in the crowded church. It thanks God for His love and mercy for us, sinful and full of hope of heaven. We are bidding farewell to our dear Granny with her favorite song. She has reached her heavenly home, and verse four expresses that gratitude for “peace and life eternally.”

Music, especially in the form of our Songs and Hymns of Zion, is an integral part of a believer’s life. We sing at services, special occasions, and haps gatherings. We listen to music in our homes and cars. Thanks to technology, we are never out of reach of the familiar tunes and comforting words from the songbook. We are able to turn to these in times of trial, joy, and uncertainty; they are mini-sermons and prayers. The words to these songs, given by God, may help us find words that we may have been unable to form ourselves. The melodies lend additional beauty to the words.

In song, we are able to thank and praise God for abundant blessings or ask for relief amid heavy trial and burden. These songs are a gift from God; we may tend to take them for granted but we can remind ourselves to be very grateful for them.

Here in Williston, Rebecca and I are involved in music in our congregation. We are both on the music committee, I am an organist, Rebecca directs our choir, and I accompany. It is a good, healthy way to use our gifts to serve our congregation and God’s kingdom. Choir evenings are a highlight of our week. We gather at church to sing songs. We have time for fellowship with our believing friends who have a common interest in music. Perhaps we are even lucky enough to have some freshly baked sourdough for a snack, courtesy of a choir member. After months of practice, we perform for the congregation, typically on festive occasions.

At Christmas, we have a choir evening, which will be a fundraiser with a meal for the first time this year. It makes for a festive start to a festive time of year. We dedicated our new church building this past summer and the choir sang several songs during the dedication program, thanking God for the blessing of our own church building. As King David, who was a musician, wrote, we “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord” and “come before His presence with singing” (Psalm 100:1,2).

A gift from God and a fundamental part of a believer’s life, music is important. In it, the weary find strength, the seeking find solace, and the troubled find peace. Our Songs and Hymns of Zion are truly from God – let us turn to them in all occasions. They will aid us in our journey here, helping keep the goal of heaven and our thankfulness to God at the forefront of our minds. “Thank You, God, that Thou hast shown me my dear Savior’s glorious face, dost fulfill the hope of heaven to this sinner saved by grace” (Song of Zion 344:5).

My Favorite Christmas Song

Coordinated by Lydia G. Simonson

What is your favorite Christmas song and why?
Do you play any musical instruments, or would you love to learn to play an instrument?
How does singing in our new church sound or make you feel?

Devin Bratt, age 10

My favorite Christmas song to sing during the Sunday school program is song 11, “A Candle We are Lighting Now.” It’s pretty and peaceful. I know how to play the piano and I take lessons with my grandma Susan. I like to play the piano anywhere I can find one. We got a new piano in our church and it is so fun to play. The singing in our new church is peaceful. It sounds like we are close to heaven.

Malou Lampi, age 8

“O Little Star of Christmas,” the melody of the song is really pretty! I also like “A candle we are lighting now.” I play the violin, I started when I was 7 but didn’t start lessons until I was 8. It would be fun to learn piano too – I play by ear right now. I sang in Christmas choir last year, it was really fun to sing in our new church!

Nora Rintamaki, age 8

My favorite Christmas songs are “O Little Star of Christmas” and “Away in a Manger.” I love the words of the song. I just started piano lessons a month ago, and I love it. Someday, I want to learn the guitar. I love how loud the music is in our church and I like all the songs that we sing in Sunday school.

What Is Worldly Music?

Peter Huhta

Worldly music is generally seen as being secular, meaning it has no religious or spiritual basis or intent. Most classical, folk, and patriotic music would be considered secular, along with many genres we may hear on the radio or other music platforms we use. There are so many genres of secular or “worldly” music available today that it would be difficult to say that worldly music is simply good or bad. We understand that it can be both. Apostle Paul writes in 1 Cor. 10:23 (NIV), “I have the right to do anything, you say – but not everything is beneficial. I have the right to do anything – but not everything is constructive.” Paul also writes in verse 31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

These instructions from God’s Word help us discern what music is appropriate for believers to listen to or to play. A few questions to ask could be, “What is the intent of the music? What is the content – the lyrics and message the composer or writer is trying to convey?” “Does this music worship God, or promote good patriotic or cultural concepts? Or does it promote selfish, sensual, or immoral themes?” God’s Word instructs us in Phil. 4:8 (NIV), “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” This verse applies to the music we listen to, just as it applies to our work, entertainment, how we treat each other, and all of our daily activities.

With these questions in mind, we can be confident that the music produced and used in God’s Kingdom is good for us. I’ve recently noticed several new songs have been added to the LLC digital songbook. The songs and hymns we use have gone through a careful review to ensure that the message reflects the true nature of God’s Word and that the melodies are appropriate.

Music can be a powerful influence on how we feel and behave, so other questions to ask are, “What is the effect of the music that I listen to and play? Do I feel uplifted in mind and spirit? Does it appeal to my flesh? If so, is it the lyrics, or the music – or both? Does this music encourage me in faith and life, or does it lead me toward sin and darkness?” We want to choose music that is uplifting and edifying in both lyrics and composition. There are many examples of worship or patriotic music in the world that may have appropriate lyrics, but the composition mainly appeals to the flesh. There are also many examples where the composition is good, but the lyrics are not. In either case, neither is edifying and, at best, can be confusing.

We want to be selective in what music we choose to play and listen to, especially when our families or friends are present. We want to be a good example in this area, especially for our children. It is good to ask other believers what music they listen to and hear their thoughts on the music we choose.

I personally listen to music every day – while driving, working, or relaxing at home. It is important to consider what I am listening to, as I have found that music has a profound influence on how I feel. Some music can make me feel restless or agitated, while other music can be uplifting, energizing, or calming. We all make these choices in music every day. God has given each of us a conscience, and we are instructed to listen to it. The choices we make in the music we consume will reflect what is in our hearts. We pray that God will guide and teach us in this matter, just as He does in all other matters.

Discussion Points

Share a memory connected to a particular song or hymn of Zion. Why does that moment stand out?
When do you most naturally turn to music? (e.g., joy, stress, quiet time, travel)
What helps you recognize when a song feeds your faith versus when it draws your heart toward the world?
Christmas and other seasonal music surrounds us everywhere we go. How do you discern what supports the true message of Christmas?
God gives each believer gifts – including musical ones. How have you or someone you know been able to serve with the gift of music?