There are many sounds around us that make us take notice. When we hear an ambulance or police siren, we look around to assess its location to know if we need to pull over to let them pass. In the summer, when we hear the tornado siren, we look to the sky and check for weather warnings. Recently, as I began hearing Christmas songs, I knew that the season was not far away. As I pondered all these sounds, I wondered what Heaven sounds like. I have read about streets of gold and precious jewels and the light of God’s presence, but I couldn’t remember much about sounds.

After researching, I found that it was not like is sometimes depicted with an angel sitting on a cloud playing a harp! For example, in Ezekiel 1:24 this prophet had a vision and he described seeing multitudes of heavenly beings entering God’s presence with a great roar of brushing wings. Because of the vision and the sounds around him, Ezekiel fell on his face in awe of the strength and power of what he heard. Then, as the heavenly beings drew near to God they stopped in reverent stillness. “When the creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings, like the roar of rushing waters, like the voice of the Almighty, like the tumult of an army. When they stood still, they lowered their wings,” (Ezekiel 1:24 ESV).

While I was in college, I was privileged to attend an Urbana mission’s conference in Urbana, Illinois, that was led by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. There were nearly 10,000 people in a huge auditorium, singing praises to God. I was stunned by the depth of the sound. I can only imagine that it was just a taste of the sounds we will hear when we actually become part of the heavenly choirs.

The apostle John, who had a vision of heaven reported: “I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice; ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.’ All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying ‘Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” (Revelation 7:9-12 NIV).

With all this loud noise, we might think of heaven as an unpleasant place…especially if we are sensitive to loud noises. Yet, there is no threat in those loud sounds but only praise, peace and perfect safety that is only found in the strength and power of God’s love. Also, in many of the instances, where angels interacted with people like Mary, Joseph and the shepherds, they were told not to be afraid. Even as Jesus was leaving this earth, he told his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid,” (John 14:27 NIV). Earth with God in our hearts will eventually become heaven in His presence, and that will be perfect in every way.

As we celebrate Christmas and step into a New Year, may our hearts echo the Psalmist’s words as we practice for eternity: “Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150:6, NLT). Merry Christmas, dear friends. All glory to God, now and forever!