If you had told me a couple years back that on Christmas 2017 I’d be attending a three-hour service entirely in Hindi, I’d have told you that that doesn’t sound like a preferable way to spend my favorite holiday. Yet, through God’s amazing grace, this Christmas invariably ranks among the top three best Christmases of my life. The most beautiful moment from this Christmas Day occurred when the congregation lifted their voices together to sing the words of my favorite Hindi worship song:
/Yeshu Tera Naam Sabse Ooncha Hai/
(Jesus Your Name Is Higher Than Any Other)
/Jis Naam Me Hai Mukti/
/Jis Naam Me Hai Shakti/
/Jis Naam Me Hai Shanti/
/Deta Voh Naam Changai/
/Jis Naam Me Hai Zindagi/
/Yeshu Hai Vo Naam/
/Jis Naam Me Hai Bandagi/
/Yeshu Hai Vo Naam/
(The Name That Is Peace, Is Life, Is To Be Worshipped
The Name That Delivers, Heals
Jesus Is The Name)
/Bimari Se, Garibi Se/
/Shrapon Se He Chudatha/
/Vo Naam He Jo Andhon Ko/
/Raushni Bhi He Deta/
/Jis Naam Me Hai Zindagi/
/Yeshu Hai Vo Naam/
/Jis Naam Me Hai Bandagi/
/Yeshu Hai Vo Naam/
(The Name That Delivers From Sickness, Poverty, Curses
The Name That Gives Sight To The Blind
Jesus Is That Name)
/Yeshu Tera Naam Sabse Ooncha Hai/
(Jesus Your Name Is Higher Than Any Other)
Surrounded by my sweet Indian church family, in a country filled with the worship of literally millions of gods, it is ethereal to worship together and praise the one true God, whose name is higher than any other. When I worship in Hindi, it reminds me that someday we will sing in the tongue of angels, with members of the body of Christ from every race and culture. Until that day, I cherish these glimpses of heaven.
Merry Christmas and happy New Year!