Music and Religion

I grew up attending Christ Episcopal Church, but it wasn’t until my parents’ divorce that I realized how narrow my view of religious music was. To me, traditional hymns and chants were normal. Translation: We only sang hymns and chants. Although honestly, most of the music is filler music that leads us from one section of the service to the next. Here’s a list of when music is played or sung:

1. the procession of the cross at the beginning and end of the service

2. the time it takes the priest and acolytes to process for the gospel

3. the time it takes the congregation to receive communion

4. at the 9:00 service, a chanted psalm replaces the first reading  

Of course, all of this is accompanied by the organ. No one would ever expect to hear drums or an electric guitar in church. That would be inappropriate. In fact, Christian contemporary music still astounds me to this day. Now, I don’t mean the concept of Christian contemporary music. I have certainly heard Christian songs other than hymnals. What surprises me is the use of this type of music in a service. It wasn’t until my parents divorced and I started attending a different church with my dad that I encountered Christian contemporary music within an actual service. 

I was so shocked the first time, I literally just stood there and watched. Even though I still feel uncomfortable singing like that in church, I don’t think my previous experience with religious music influences what I like to hear in music outside of church. I certainly don’t listen to hymns and Gregorian chant. My favorite iTunes playlist consists of Coldplay, Elton John, Billy Joel, Queen, Rufus Wainwright, Fountains of Wayne, La Roux, and Carlos Vives. However, I want to be very clear. I do NOT think Christian contemporary music is wrong. I still find it spiritually-fulfilling, and I listen to songs like “Here I Am to Worship.” One of my favorite songs of all time is “On Eagle’s Wings.” I simply am not used to hearing those songs during a service. So . . . I guess what I’ve discovered is that attending Christ Episcopal Church has influenced where I like to listen to specific types of music, but it hasn’t limited what types of music I enjoy.

Below I’ve attached two songs. The first is a beautiful presentation of “On Eagle’s Wings.” I find it extremely uplifting. This was my 7^th-grade graduation song, and it was also the song that helped me and my sister come to terms with a friend’s death.

The second is “La Tierra del Olvido.” This non-Christian song also speaks of an unwavering love, where “just like the river returns to the ocean, I wait for you in the Land of the Forgotten.” I feel deeply connected to these songs, and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

"On Eagle's Wings"

 "La Tierra del Olvido"