Christmas music! That is what is needed! Now more than ever, we long for the thrill of hope promised in our Advent and Christmas stories, liturgies, and music. But first, we hear Jesus teach the disciples about pain, sacrifice, and waiting. It is the conundrum of the Christian calendar. Let me explain.
Our postmodern culture brings forward a special celebration for many days in our calendar. Siblings day, daughter's day, chicken fried steak day ... that last one had us chuckling at choir practice the other day. In thinking about special days, I have been reflecting upon our Christian calendar and all that we celebrate in November before Advent begins in December. In November, we celebrate God's amazing work and continued work in all of creation. We celebrate saints who have lived ordinary lives among us and yet have had extraordinary impacts on our faith journeys. We celebrate our call to be stewards of God's gift of creation and the Holy Spirit's leading in the work of the church. We celebrate earthly commitments to heavenly promises. We celebrate and give thanks for the abundant life and many blessings we now know because of the faithfulness of our Lord in covenant with our ancestors. We celebrate what hope can mean for us even in the midst of suffering, war, division, and strife among humans. We celebrate God's goodness and faithfulness. We have a bunch to celebrate this November.
And yet when singing a practice session of music for the upcoming Christmas Cantata, I needed to be convinced again that I could approach November with celebration. I needed to know again that hope is real. In practicing the Christmas music, I was singing with accuracy and applying the correct tonal qualities and dynamic qualities required; but I was not singing with any enthusiasm or conviction until a special moment happened. In that moment while practice-singing the Cantata, The Thrill of Hope became known in my heart and soul. Music can do that to me.
The weary world rejoices...
We have new hope for our lives...
Those in despair will be lifted and will thrive.
All who are wandering through darkness, a light has come to guide the way.
Through a holy birth, God comes to earth
SO THAT we can say.
"There is a thrill of hope, yonder breaks a new and glorious morning."
Pepper Choplin composes this year's cantata in The Ballad of Bethlehem: A Timeless Story of God's Love. I am convinced that the music will be a blessing when it is shared in worship on December 15th. In the meantime, celebrate November knowing that God is Still With Us. God is still bringing hope into our lives. Be hopeful people!
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