Finding Truth Through Song

Periodically throughout our school year, we will feature articles in our series, “Glimpses of Grace: Stories of God At Work At GCCA.” In this month’s article, Grace Classical Christian Academy’s Music Teacher, Mr. Josiah Horton, shares how he has seen God at work through the gift of song.

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Everyday each one of our students sings. We sing monumentally important hymns and melodies about God’s truths; we sing songs about the history of our world; and we sing various folk tunes both in the name of preservation and to guide musicianship. Regardless of the type of song, the halls of Grace Classical Christian Academy are constantly filled with the sound of singing.

This year during our Christmas concert, we performed an uncommon Christmas carol called “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree.” When we first started learning the piece, at least one student from every class inevitably asked the question, “Why is Jesus an apple tree?” This allowed us to discuss how the text symbolically uses the image of an apple tree to represent Jesus Christ as our Provider, Protector, and the Giver of Life. Because the students were unaware of the piece, we were able to uncover the symbolism behind the text.

This enthusiasm seemed to transfer to other pieces such as, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” During one of our choir rehearsals, some of the Grammar students became laser-focused on the following line:

“O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times didst give the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.”

Though the words were not new to them, they began to understand the purpose behind the text. They eagerly spoke of how these lyrics were a reference to Moses. The look of wonder, awe, and excitement radiated from their facial expressions. The discovery of Old Testament truths within a Christmas song was enough spark a newfound joy in this classic hymn.

Seeing God at work in our students as they discover biblical truths through His gift of song has been such an encouragement throughout this school year.

By Josiah Horton,
GCCA Music Teacher

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
- Colossians 3: 16