Mission Moment

Dear Covenant Families,

I absolutely love this time of year. The decorations, the lights, the music, and the joyful anticipation of Christmas Day all bring such warmth and excitement. One of my favorite Covenant traditions is Christmas Chapel, and we are just one week away from this cherished event. It is so wonderful to see our entire community come together in worship, and such a joy to hear our students sing.

One of the things that makes a Covenant education so unique is the focus on music, especially singing. Singing is not only foundational to music education but also central to our faith. The Psalms remind us of the deep connection between worship and song. In The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis, Aslan creates Narnia by singing—a beautiful picture of music’s creative and redemptive power. Some have even imagined that when God said, “Let there be light,” it was more like God singing creation into existence, a reflection of its beauty and harmony.

Centuries ago, schools called schola cantorum—Latin for 'singing school'—were established by the church to teach music, especially for worship. These schools helped preserve and improve the music sung in churches, making sure it was beautiful and meaningful. This emphasis on music tied into the broader idea of classical education at the time: teaching students skills that shaped their character and their souls. Even the philosopher Plato, writing long before these schools existed, believed music was one of the most important parts of education because it nurtured balance, virtue, and a well-ordered mind.

At Covenant, we are blessed to have not only a robust music program but also a thriving fine arts program that has become a leader in the classical Christian education movement. What sets our program apart from many others is our emphasis on teaching 'learned skills.' While some students may exhibit natural talent, that only means they acquire skills more quickly. We believe that any student can learn to sing, draw, or act at a high level with practice and dedication. There is no such thing as a tone-deaf student or a child without artistic potential—only skills waiting to be developed.

It brings me great joy to see the transformation in our students as they grow through their study of the arts. I vividly remember a moment from my own formative years: singing J. S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion just weeks after seeing The Passion of the Christ in theaters. As I performed one of history’s greatest musical works, I couldn’t help but picture the images from the film. It was one of the most profound experiences of my life, a time when I felt truly close to God—and it happened on the performance stage.

My prayer for all of you this Christmas is that you embrace the power of beauty in your worship. Savor the music. Take time to really experience a beautiful work of art. And in your daily interactions with family and friends, consider these words from Paul in Ephesians 5:19: “Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.”

Merry Christmas and Non Nobis!

Michael Attaway
Director of Fine Arts