A gift of song

Frederick Bob, president of the choir at Our Mother of Mercy Church in Fort Worth on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. (NTC/ Richard W. Rodriguez)

This reflection is one of eight written by musicians from across our diocese as part of Songs of the Seasons, a series celebrating the beauty and meaning of Christmas music. Follow along the series [here]!

Fifth Day in the Christmas Octave: A perspective on Christmas music from Frederick Bob, choir president, Our Mother of Mercy Parish, Fort Worth

I’ve been singing in choirs since I was 9. The choir director at my childhood church in Lafayette, Louisiana, asked me to join the choir. He thought I was in the eighth grade because I was 5’ 7”, but I was actually in sixth grade.

I joined Our Mother of Mercy in October 2006. I was in the pews for maybe a month, and they said, “You need to join the choir, brother.”

Music at Mass

A lot of people say, “I like to come here because of the music.” It’s not like a concert. The music only adds to what the Word of God is saying. We make sure the music is always surrounding the Gospel. Whatever Father says, the music says, so you hear it throughout the Mass.

Music tends to bring the Holy Spirit in. If you come to church, we can uplift somebody.

Setting the Christmas scene

“O Holy Night” is my favorite Christmas hymn. It sets the scene. No one had room for Him anywhere else. He’s in a manger, but it’s a beautiful thing that life has come and the night has got to be holy.

He’s coming to save the world. Everybody doesn’t know that right at the beginning. The song brings that out.

I do like “Silent Night” as well. “All is calm” shows Jesus comes and He brings peace. “All is bright” shows Jesus is light. Until you realize that He is the light of the world, you’re going to miss it. If you truly believe that Jesus Christ has come to save and He’s the light of the world  —  it’s just beautiful and powerful.

Listen to the words; they go with the melody.

A gift to share

Singing in the choir is a gift. And if you come to church for the salvation of your soul, you will help somebody else along the way.

To be in church and get the Word that is delivered that day — you receive what you need, then you bring it out. Come, receive it, and share it. I’m not asking you to preach, but share it.

A lot of people have left the Church for various reasons. Our job is to get them to come back to be one, because we’re one body. We are many people, but we are still one body of Christ.

Editor's Note: This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity by the editor.

By Frederick Bob, choir president, Our Mother of Mercy Parish, Fort Worth