Sunday, December 9, 2007

My dearest God,

In quiet exploration I've searched for holy moments to catch an early glimpse of the babe in the manger. We'd been invited to the Purdue Glee Club Program in Lafayette. I couldn't go last year because I had a memorial service to perform at the last minute. So this year I was looking forward to the musical event.

The first part was fast moving, singers and dancers performing their choreographed parts, lights changing colors on stage, orchestra sounding trumpets, percussion, and brass, more than 200 performers I would guess. We the audience stood in full accord following Act I to sing Hark the Herald Angels Sing, the conductor stopping us several times until we were in full spirit.

It was Act II that struck a chord in my heart. Performers exchanged their glitter and glitz for choir robes. Traditional hymns with a twist resounded through the auditorium. Handel's Messiah inspired us to stand and pay our own homage to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And Silent Night, Holy Night, well, what can one say when one finds themselves at the manger bending over the baby? The conductor had invited us after Act I to withhold our applause during Act II. With the quiet silence and the darkening stage, my hands were not tempted to clap. It was not a performance, but rather a message, a powerful message of God's coming, the promise of everlastingness.

As we drove away following the program, I saw the twinkling of light on the ice-laden tree branches, fog beginning to roll in, like a magical, mystical moment unfolding. I almost felt like we could turn the corner and discover the nativity, hearing the sounds of animal contentment, the soft cry of a baby, seeing a mother and father hover closer to their child, the Prince of Peace. I fell asleep, contented myself.

Mystical God,
you come,
you come.
Sacred moments
appear before us
like timeless history.
Truly there are no surprises
for your appearance
was promised
at the beginning
of creation.
Let there be light
means
the light is shining,
not that it will,
it already is.

Love, Andrea