As part of a campaign called "Get America Singing . . . Again," a group of music educators has published a list of 42 songs that it believes Americans must continue singing to preserve an important part of the national culture. The list begins alphabetically with "Amazing Grace" and ends with "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah." The group's president said, "We have a whole generation that has grown up without singing songs like these--songs that are . . . part of who we are."

Not only in the United States, but in every country and culture, music is an important part of who people are.

As Christians, we have a wonderful heritage of music. I enjoy using a hymnbook along with the Bible during my time of daily reading and prayer. Sometimes words written many years ago bring a fresh message of hope. I may encounter a familiar song that sparks a memory of God's faithfulness or rekindles a flame of devotion. More than a memory of the past, it becomes a vehicle to praise God today.

Psalm 96:2 encourages us to "sing to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day." Why not open that long-neglected hymnbook today, rediscover some marvelous messages of faith, and sing . . . again!  — David C. McCasland