Make Music Day – A Worldwide Celebration of Music

all words and photos by June Friesen Editor’s Note: Make Music Day is a worldwide celebration on June 21st

Why Worldwide Music Day? What is Worldwide Music Day? How may it be celebrated? Or how is it celebrated? As I did some study on this day there was a lot of material that came up. One of the things that I noted was that invitations kept popping up inviting one to take part in different aspects in celebration of music on this day. The noted theme that I found was for there to be ‘Music in the Intersections.’ While it did not seem to give me any real directives, I could not help but think of how there are places and times when music is offered along the street, in the parks, on the street corners where there are intersections. While many of those offering these gifts of music are hoping for someone to drop some money into their collection everyone that is around them or who passes by benefits from the blessing of their music.

When I think of music in the Scriptures I immediately think of the Psalms as well as David. Many times, as a child growing up I wished to be able to play a harp like David did. The Scriptures talk about how his harp playing was soothing and even today harpists are known to go to hospice centers to play for the people there. However, as there was no availability of a harp teacher and/or a harp I had to settle for piano lessons instead which I also learned were/are very soothing for a breaking spirit. In fact, I took piano lessons on the piano my grandmother received for her 16th birthday and I still have that piano today (see photo below).

Here are three short passages from the Psalms that are favorites of mine.

Psalm 27:5-6

5 That’s the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world,
The perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic.

6 God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down.
I’m headed for his place to offer anthems that will raise the roof!
Already I’m singing God-songs; I’m making music to God.

Psalm 92:1-3

92 1-3 What a beautiful thing, God, to give thanks, to sing an anthem to you, the High God!
To announce your love each daybreak, sing your faithful presence all through the night,
Accompanied by dulcimer and harp, the full-bodied music of strings.

Psalm 105:1-6

Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to him by name! Tell everyone you meet what he has done! Sing him songs, belt out hymns, translate his wonders into music! Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs, you who seek God. Live a happy life! Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence. Remember the world of wonders he has made, his miracles, and the verdicts he’s rendered.

Oh, to give thanks to God in praises and music all night long – all day long. Well, this may not be reality but maybe it is something to consider as one needs to find rest/respite for the inner soul, especially in today’s world of angst. Yes, we can do that in so many different ways as well in today’s world. There are offerings of concerts in so many and varied venues worldwide. There are offerings of recordings by thousands of music artists of all kinds of music – music that expresses praise to God, music that expresses angst of spirit, music that comes out of pain one is experiencing, music that is full of joy and exuberance, and I am sure that you can add many more ideas to this list.

The beginning photo of this article as well as the one just below are both taken at our Phoenix Zoo. During the month of December every year they have what is called Zoo Lights and my most favorite feature is this one on the water. Every year they use different music and several times an hour they play a song and the lights interact with the beat of the music. This is absolutely refreshing to view as well as to listen to. As I write this today I find myself wanting to go and bathe my spirit in this music.

MUSIC REFLECTIONS IN THE DARKNESS

Oh, how music brings a soothing to my soul,

Oh, how it causes my heart to slow,

Oh, how it turns my spirit heavenward,

Oh how it helps me embrace the Spirit of wonder, joy and peace.

When the world around me is filled with darkness,

I need to take a bit of time and pause,

Pause – and consider where God will arise

And bring a soothing to my soul once again.

And then I hear that faint sound –

The sound of a note – alone – but giving a cue,

For all other notes to take up

And blend in a beautiful harmony.

Oh, how quiet it begins –

Oh, how gentle it sounds –

Oh, it is now beginning to swell –

Oh, how my spirit is uniting to it as well.

The music rolls onward in a crescendo –

And dances and waltzes deep into my being –

And I find myself an embodiment of it all –

And soon I am dancing and waltzing as well.

Oh, the healing power of music –

How refreshing and healing it is to my soul –

I pray that today you will as well –

Take some time to welcome dose of healing music as well.

May the Spirit of God sing over you,

May The Spirit of God bathe you in healing,

May the Spirit of God awaken within you

A new spirit of music to share with the world today.

Amen.