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“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your heart to God.”
~Colossians 3:16 (NASB)
Why Sing Hymns?
Why Sing Hymns?
Singing praise to the Lord, as embodied in the Psalms and commanded in Colossians 3:16, is an integral aspect of worship for believers. According to Martin Luther, "Second only to biblical truth...music stirs the soul and brings it to the transcendent majesty of reverence and worship. " (Quoted from Hymnody in the Making: An Interview with Jeff Lippencott and R.C. Sproul). In the Reformed Christian tradition, singing hymns offers us the ability to study, know, serve, and worship God through the profound Scriptural truths they contain, as well as the deep joy in the riches of Christ and praise for God and King they embody. The rich theology inherent in hymns is a treasure we give our children for life as they memorize theologically rich lyrics.
Reasons Christians sing hymns include:
Worship and Praise: Hymns are sung as a form of worship and praise to God, expressing gratitude and adoration.
Community and Fellowship: Singing hymns together strengthens the sense of community and fellowship among believers.
Teaching and Remembrance: Hymns often contain theological truths and biblical teachings, helping to reinforce Christian beliefs and doctrines.
Encouragement and Comfort: Hymns provide comfort and encouragement during difficult times, reminding believers of God's faithfulness and love.
Expression of Faith: Singing hymns allows Christians to express their faith and commitment to God publicly.
Inspiration for Prayer: Hymns can inspire prayer and meditation, helping believers to connect with God on a deeper level.
Cultural and Historical Significance: Hymns have cultural and historical significance within Christian traditions, preserving heritage and identity.
Evangelism: Hymns can be used as a tool for evangelism, conveying the message of God's love and salvation to others.
Personal Reflection: Singing hymns provides a time for personal reflection and spiritual growth.
Celebration of Seasons and Events: Hymns are often sung to celebrate special seasons (like Advent or Lent) and events (such as weddings or baptisms) in the Christian calendar.
Benefits gained from the regular singing of hymns include:
Explicit and implicit theological instruction: Hymns convey explicit theological truths through their lyrics, teaching foundational doctrines and biblical narratives. They also provide implicit instruction as believers meditate on and internalize these truths through singing, deepening their understanding and connection to God's Word.
Recognition of poetic rhyme and meter: Hymns utilize poetic rhyme and meter, enhancing their memorability and aesthetic appeal. Recognizing these elements helps individuals appreciate the craftsmanship behind hymn lyrics, fostering a deeper engagement with their meaning and message.
Developing innate musicality: Singing hymns nurtures innate musical abilities by practicing vocal techniques, harmonies, and musical expression. It encourages participation in congregational worship, fostering a rich musical tradition within Christian communities and enhancing worship experiences.
These aspects of hymn singing contribute to spiritual growth, communal worship, and a deeper connection to Christian heritage and doctrine.
"Folksongs are fun, and easy to sing. They are part of a liberal education, enriching our lives with beauty, history and culture. I pity the persons who are educated for strictly utilitarian reasons. As Anne of Green Gables so aptly put it, 'Oh, Miss Marilla, how much you miss!'"
Why Sing Folk Songs?
Why Sing Folk Songs?
In a Charlotte Mason education, singing folk songs serves several valuable purposes:
Cultural Connection and Heritage: Folk songs are often passed down through generations, reflecting cultural traditions, values, and history. By singing folk songs, children connect with their cultural heritage and gain insights into different communities and historical periods. This exposure broadens their understanding of diversity and fosters appreciation for the richness of human experience.
Language Development: Folk songs typically use simple language and repetitive phrases, making them accessible and engaging for children. Singing folk songs aids in language development by improving vocabulary, pronunciation, and comprehension skills. It also introduces children to poetic elements such as rhyme, rhythm, and imagery in a meaningful context.
Musical Education: Folk songs often feature melodies that are easy to sing and remember, making them ideal for developing musical skills such as pitch awareness, vocal technique, and harmonization. Singing folk songs encourages children to explore different musical styles and traditions, fostering a love for music and an appreciation for diverse cultural expressions.
Character Formation: Many folk songs convey moral lessons, virtues, and timeless truths about human experiences such as love, friendship, perseverance, and community. Through singing these songs, children absorb these values intuitively, promoting character formation and moral development in alignment with Charlotte Mason's emphasis on cultivating virtuous habits.
Connection to Nature and the Outdoors: Folk songs often celebrate nature, seasons, and outdoor activities, aligning with Charlotte Mason's philosophy of outdoor education and nature study. Singing these songs enhances children's connection to the natural world, fostering a sense of wonder, curiosity, and stewardship towards God's creation.
Family and Community Bonding: Singing folk songs can be a communal activity that brings families and communities together. It provides opportunities for shared experiences, bonding, and creating lasting memories. In a Charlotte Mason education, these shared experiences strengthen relationships and support the holistic development of children within a nurturing environment.
In summary, singing folk songs enriches cultural understanding, enhances language and musical skills, fosters moral development, connects children to nature, and promotes community building through shared experiences and traditions. These aspects align with Charlotte Mason's holistic approach to education, nurturing the whole child in mind, body, and spirit.
"Research shows that singing together is an activity that improves bonding, strengthens relationships, and just makes people feel more connected to each other - and couldn't we all use more of that in a family?"
How Do We Learn Folk Songs?
How Do We Learn Folk Songs?
During our weekly opening assembly, we sing a hymn together following the AmblesideOnline monthly schedule using the free YouTube versions performed by Hannah Fridenmaker. Song lyrics are provided for each student (excepting babies and toddlers) and attending parent in the SCHOLA Fellowship resource folder. While it is entirely optional, we highly recommend that families incorporate daily singing of hymns and folk songs into their day using the resources provided by the fellowship, as the repetition helps store the tune and lyrics in the children's memory bank of songs. As well, it builds beautiful family memories and a shared repertoire of songs to be sung in times of joy, distress, and leisure. There are a number of ways our families fit hymns and folk songs into their daily routine:
Sing the hymn and folk song during their daily "Morning Time"
Turn on a hymn or folk song to call children to an activity
Play hymns and folk songs during chore time
Listen to hymns and folk songs while driving to activities/appointments
Loop in dad by singing them during family devotions or prayers
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
Hymnody in the Making: An Interview with Jeff Lippencott and R.C. Sproul
The Value of Hymn Singing @ Reformation Bible College
The Power of Hymns @ Reformed Worship
Folk Songs, some back-story @ Archipelago (AmblesideOnline's blog site)
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