Singing the Creed

Just the other day, I heard the Nicene Creed from Bach’s Mass in B Minor, and asked myself the question: How often is the creed sung at an American parish? I’ve heard it sung once in the last year and a half; normally the priest and the congregation just recite it without much enthusiasm. All this is in stark contrast to the gusto of Bach’s setting. Just listen to the words “et resurrexit.” These are the most joyful words we have. If we do not say them--no, if we cannot sing them--then our faith is in vain (1 Cor. 15:14). Nowadays everybody speaks about putting our words into action; it’s a shame we don’t put our words into song.