It started with the first notes of "O come, o come
Emmanuel”, those low, rumbling tones from the double basses evoking the
darkness and despair of mortality. The tears rolled down my face as choir
members filed past with their candles, singing of a hope for unity and peace,
calling for us all to rejoice in the coming of the Lord. That one always gets
me. I wiped the tears away and settled in to enjoy the rest of the concert.
Mike Sanders welcomed everyone in that amazing voice of his and
then the Idaho State-Civic Symphony launched into “O come all ye faithful”.
Musicians and audience together sang the first verse, the choir reiterated the
same verse in Latin, and then we all joined in for the final two verses. By the
end, I was wiping away more tears.
As I proceeded to weep my way through Brenda Stanley's reading
of Gift of the Magi, underscored by the Symphony playing the perfect piece by
Borodin, as well as the “everybody join in” rendition of White Christmas, I
became seriously concerned that something was wrong with me. Where were all
these tears coming from?
Yes, several people I know are dealing with serious health
issues. Yes, the news from around the world continues in a barrage of
bleakness. Yes, my to-do list as I scramble to prepare for Christmas continues
to grow while I fall further and further behind. Was that it? Was I just
falling prey to all the stress?
Luckily, there was an intermission. I pulled myself together and
chatted with people around me while checking my phone for texts and likes on my
latest Instagram-Facebook post. There was pumpkin soup and sourdough toast
waiting at home after the concert and I was getting hungry. Wait! Justin
Hartley did what? And snap! AOC certainly put him in HIS place! Oh, look!
So-and-so liked my post!
The lights dimmed and I put my phone away. Those around me did
the same. The orchestra re-tuned, the conductors mounted the podium, and off we
all went through A Christmas Scherzo arranged by Don Sebesky. Lots of fun and
not a tear!
Then the choir stood and, with the orchestra acting as magic
carpet, sang one of my favorites, the Wexford Carol. The tears began again and
just wouldn't stop. Wow! Why didn't I bring any tissue?
Each succeeding piece spurred more and more crying. I must be
having a total emotional/mental breakdown. The stranger on my left must think
I'm a nut! What’s going on?!
It finally crystallized for me as I choked on suppressed sobs
while everyone else sang Silent Night. I felt safe. Safe from the ugliness of
harsh words, anger, and hurt everywhere I look. Safe from the insanity pouring
from anything with a speaker or a screen Safe from the malice of those looking
to sate themselves at everyone else's expense.
Mike Sanders's voice broke in to my musings, intoning again
lyrics sung at the beginning of the evening. “O come, Desire of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind. Oh, bid our sad divisions cease, And be
yourself our King of Peace.”
I felt safe because as those amazing words were sung, the King
of Peace had come and filled the room with His spirit of love. That spirit grew
stronger with each song sung and each story told. A huge hall of people had
gathered in His name and there He was in our midst and in our hearts and in our
instruments and voices. Our hearts were bound in one and anything that might
have divided us had melted away into the shining warmth of love and good will.
Peace is not obtained through beating perceived enemies into
submission or falling in line with the most powerful warlord. Peace isn't found
by chasing after popularity or pleasure. Peace is found by inviting it in and
providing space in our hearts and lives for it. For Him.
Many, many thanks to the myriad performers who prepared a
program of peace and joy and love. The two and a half hours we spent together
were a balm to my soul and a boost to my spirits.
Thank you, also, to those who planned the program for giving
those of us who came to listen the chance to take part in such an active way.
Even the division between performers and audience was done away with and the
unity we felt was Divine.
Merry Christmas, my friends, and may the Prince of Peace fill
our hearts with faith and love, now and in the days to come.
