As we move through the Christmas season (yes, I’m well aware that for Christians, it’s “Advent,” but I’m focusing on everyday life in the world), I want to give thanks for a once-a-year phenomenon: you can hear the gospel preached anywhere! And that’s something to give thanks for.

June and I heard Celtic Women in concert – they’re an Irish female musical group with three singers and a fiddler. Accompanied by the Denver Symphony Orchestra, it was a great show.

But what was remarkable was what I heard during the concert. Here’s a sample:

• Joy to the world, the Lord has come!
• Glory to the newborn King!
• God and sinners reconciled.
• Christ is born in Bethlehem.
• Jesus is “the heaven-born prince of peace.”
• Jesus is “the son of righteousness.”
• Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.
• Mild he lay his glory by. (Compare Philippians 2.5 – 8)
• Born that men no more may die.
• Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.
• King forever, ceasing never over us all to reign.

In short, people paid real money to hear the gospel! Sure, there were sentimental Christmas themes mixed in and a bit of Santa Claus, but the truth was there for the hearing, and for that I give thanks.

What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, (Philippians 1.18, ESV)