Why Put Your Songs In ASL?
It’s Christmas. Your church is painted with bright poinsettias and flickering white candles. Dressed in their Sunday best, congregants line the pews as the choir begins a traditional rendition of ‘Angels We Have Heard on High.’ You notice at the front of the stage, slightly to the right, a woman beautifully moving her hands rhythmically as if she were one of the angels herself singing “Glo--o---o---ria!”
As a sign language interpreter, far too often, I hear comments like, “Oh, that is so beautiful!” or “You make it look so easy!”, neglecting to understand sign language is more than just something beautiful to watch at special services. Rather it is the means by which the gospel is presented in the heart language of the Deaf community and the way to worship God.
When your songs are available in sign language, it makes an impact which the ‘Big C’ Church has yet to fully explore. More and more church services and events are providing ASL interpreters or closed captions. What about worship music? Songs on the radio or simple prayer sets.
Well known Christian music artist, Brandon Heath, initiated the conversation with Sonshine to make his entire album, “Faith, Hope, Love, Repeat”, in ASL. A hearing family with a Deaf child reached out to us and shared that this album was the first time they enjoyed music together, as a family. What a powerful testimony! With the success of this album in ASL, he decided to make his next project, ‘The Ache’, coming in 2025, accessible as well.
The writers of Psalms and the Levites of our time have power prayers in song form. Songs that when expressed in spoken language move your heart. Shouldn’t the Deaf community have the chance to experience those same feelings and expressions, but in their heart language? Your content is too good to not have it accessible to everyone!
The expression of sign language during a worship service is beautiful, but the heart of Deaf person to whom it reaches far exceeds the interpretation. Let’s come adore on bended knee, worshiping together, not just at Christmas or Easter, but in everyday life, for everyday needs. Songs of praise, of thanksgiving, in sorrow, in hope and everything in between.
