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Real Answers™
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Copyright: © 2007 Greg Asimakoupoulos
590 words

STAND UP FOR CHRIST'S SAKE

By: Greg Asimakoupoulos

It happened two years ago, but it is still fresh in my mind. My wife and I were at a local Christmas concert presented by our local community girls chorus. The female choir, dressed in holiday apparel, stood in formation ready to sing Handel’s unforgettable “Hallelujah Chorus” from Messiah. As the instrumental introduction anticipated the voices coming in with “Hallelujah!” I began to stand up. When I saw that no one else was finding their feet, I pretended as if I was tying my shoes and then sat down again (unwilling to be the only one standing).

Within the first few measures of the “Hallelujah Chorus,” three people in the row in front of me bravely stood up. Taking my cues from them, I stood up fully erect this time. My wife then followed suit. But that was it. In an auditorium filled with 500 concert-goers, the five of us were the only ones standing. I couldn’t believe it. Even though the community in which our family lives and ministers has a large Jewish population, I was not prepared for this disrespectful break with religious and musical tradition.

People sitting around us turned and looked with expressions on their faces that seemed to be asking “What’s the deal? Why are you people standing? Why are you blocking the view of others seated behind you?”

Ever since Handel’s masterpiece oratorio was first performed in a Dublin Opera House in 1742, audiences have stood for that particular song. England’s king was the first one to initiate the practice of standing at the “Hallelujah Chorus,” and the protocol has persisted ever since. In addition to expressing worshipful reverence to the King of kings and Lord of lords who will reign forever and ever, this time-honored stance is also a tangible means of honoring a composer whose spine-tingling composition is in a class by itself.

As I’ve reflected on my two-part response a couple Christmases back, I’m a bit embarrassed and proud at the same time. I’m embarrassed (and ashamed) that I did not have the intestinal fortitude to remain standing on my first attempt to stand up when the “Hallelujah Chorus” began. I’m still asking myself why I needed the others in front of me to stand up to “voice” their convictions before I was willing. But at least I did stand up and join them. And and I am proud of that. Once on my feet, I stood tall recognizing that I was taking advantage of my rights as a Christian in a secular society to take a stand for what I personally believe in.

In this season when it seems that just saying “Merry Christmas” is increasingly controversial, I have been reminded of the importance of standing up for my convictions. While I need to be sensitive to the beliefs of those around me who are entitled to freedom of worship and expression, I can’t remain seated for fear of what others who don’t share my faith might think. When I have the opportunity to practice the freedom of religion that the First Amendment guarantees me, I will look for ways to respectfully and sensitively stand up and be counted. I would encourage you to do the same.

Standing up for the Hallelujah Chorus is an ideal opportunity for Christ followers to put the words of St. Paul into practice."I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..." (Romans 1:16)

"Real Answers™" furnished courtesy of The Amy Foundation Internet Syndicate. To contact the author or The Amy Foundation, write or E-mail to: P. O. Box 16091, Lansing, MI 48901-6091; amyfoundtn@aol.com

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