Mark's Midweek Musings & Updates

There are so many parts of celebrating Christmas that bring me joy and delight ... from decorating, to shopping for gifts, to giving and receiving presents, to baking ... But what underscores all of that for me is the gift of music at this time of year. Whether it's religious and spiritual or secular, the music of Christmas inspires many emotions and memories that I cherish from years gone by.

On Monday night, Beth and I went to Toronto to see "The Tenors" at the Sony Center. What a wonderful performance they put on that was engaging and full of life as well as the spirit of Christmas. There were the old chestnuts of the season including "O Holy Night", "Joy to the World", "Feliz Navidad" and a most beautiful rendition of "O Come All Ye Faithful". One of my favorites was an original that they composed called, "Santa's Christmas List". Theses are the lyrics ...

One Christmas many years ago when I was just a boy
I walked along those snowy streets, the windows full of toys
My mom and dad both held my hands, a crowd was up ahead
They gathered 'round a man who sang, and this is what he said

I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony
I'd like to hold it in my arms and keep it company
I'd like to see the world for once all standing hand in hand
And hear them echo through the hills for peace throughout the land

Then all at once he disappeared within a flash of light
His tattered coat was left behind,
his sleigh was taking flight
And I still hear that melody that echoed through the night

I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony
I'd like to hold it in my arms and keep it company
I'd like to see the world for once all standing hand in hand
And hear them echo through the hills for peace throughout the land

As a child I asked the man in red
"Hey Santa, what's your Christmas wish?"
And this is what he said

I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony
I'd like to hold it in my arms and keep it company
I'd like to see the world for once all standing hand in hand
And hear them echo through the hills for peace throughout the land 

Here is a link if you'd like to listen ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtrBcRJC2C8

I remember well singing those same words to the coke commercial in the 1970's. The words themselves may go back some 40 years, but the hope is still the same. 

Isn't that true each year of our celebration of Christmas and the hope we long for in our lives and in our world because God was born and became fully human in Jesus. We long for the peace the angels proclaimed to the shepherds; we look for light shining brightly in the darkest time of the year; we seek out the community of family and friends when so many are isolated and alone. Most of all, though, we pray from our depths for that peace which only the Prince of Peace can give us in our lives and in the world. 

Last night, Beth and I went to hear Handel's Messiah. What a wonderful tradition that it is performed as an offering to the people of Uxbridge. I personally have enjoyed singing in choirs where we sang the Messiah too as part of our repertoire. All the individual choruses and solos are so inspiring and they lift my soul. Of course, the pinacle and climax is the "Hallelujah Chorus".

What I always appreciate is how Handel used specifically the words of scripture to tell the whole story of God's redemption through the Old Testament prophets right to Revelation and the acclamation of the Messiah with a grand "Amen" at the end that proclaims, "may it indeed be so!!"  

Handel's Messiah is timeless as many of the carols of Christmas are. May you find yourself touched again this year by the music you hear and the carols you sing; may you be renewed in the mystery of God coming among us, the gift of Emmanuel, the child lying in a manger.