Christmas Eve

Every Christmas Eve I listen to the BBC Radio broadcast of "Lessons and Carols". In years past, especially while I was living in the Adirondacks, this was my only Christmas experience of the lovely sound of Anglican choral singing. It is fairly deep in my personal history; in 1962 my family moved to England, and there were hymns sung at chapel every morning at the school I attended. Since I started singing at the Cathedral (St. John the Divine, in Manhattan), I have heard (and sung) a lot more of that style, and under the cathedral's new music director, Bruce Neswick, there will be much more to come. And a lot of that is coming tonight.

The Cathedral, newly rededicated after a seven-year restoration triggered by the smoke and water damage incurred in the fire of December, 2001, will no doubt be full tonight. It is quietly thrilling to stand with my fellow singers in the choir and, looking down the whole length of that beautiful structure, see the seats - all the seats! - filled by the devoted, the devout, the curious, the skeptical, the travelers, the fans of music, the fans of architecture, the tourists, the sad, the lonely, the joyous, on and on. I look at this, and think "Here comes everybody", as James Joyce (I think) said when describing the Church.

Here we are, in need of the "tidings of comfort and joy" now perhaps more than ever, when it seems that light cannot possibly overcome the darkness. But look out the window tonight: trees are alight, menorahs glowing. Families are gathering together if they can. I come from a family of singers, and even though we are not all together this year, I know that, wherever we are, we are gathering to sing, and sing, and be reminded of why we are singing.

I recognize that some of my readers are not "churchy". That's fine. We each have a path to walk, and each path is difficult enough to walk without leaning over off-balance to critique someone else's walk. Let me simply say that I am grateful for your presence, visible or invisible, in my life this Christmas.

God bless us, every one.

Comments

[philip copeland]

Laurel,

Beautiful writing. I'm going to mention you on my choir blog and feature it on ChoralNet tomorrow morning (unless you have an objection).

I hope you enjoy singing tonight . . I'm sure it will be beautiful.

philip

[PeteFergie]

As I write this now it's 17.30pm (in England), so still have time to wish you a pleasant and wonderful evening Laurel.

Also would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and successful 2009

[Laurel Massé]

Hello Philip -
I have no objection at all, and thank you!
Laurel

[Laurel Massé]

Pete, thank you very much. And also to you!
Laurel

[RevJATB]

Laurel, I wish I could be there to hear that glorious music! It will be a very small crowd where I preach: no choir (we never have a choir--too few people in the church), no organ (oh we have a beautiful pipe organ, just no one to play it), very few attendees. But Christ will be there, as he has promised to be. Still, beautiful music befits a beautiful occasion such as this.

When worlds collide: Philip Copeland, you linked to MY blog about a year ago, an article about my hometown, which is now your place of residence! I'm sure Christmas Eve will be glorious at South Highland tonight too. I will miss my old church family at Mountain Brook Presbyterian this evening.