Christmas Pain

Christmas Eve. The last day to purchase those last minute gifts. The day to get it all wrapped. The day to finish the laundry. The day to clean the house. The day to prepare any food for the next day. The day to stress over the traffic. The day to stand in long lines. THE DAY TO RUN OUT OF MONEY! It's crunch time. And every single one of us KNEW this day was coming. It's NO surprise. We have had 364 days to get ready, and yet, there are those of us that wait until the last minute. Eventually, most of us are ready to throw our hands up in the air and admit complete defeat of not getting it all done. Then there are those priceless individuals, who make me puke. You know the ones; they've been shopping since August, have ALL the loved ones on their lists checked off since the Thanksgiving weekend, tree is up and house is decorated since December 1st, cooking is done by the 22nd, and of course the laundry is done on a daily basis, so there's no catching up on Christmas Eve. Yes. Today is different for many.
We go through the anticipation of how others will react when they open their gifts, the dread of being around family that are only tolerated once a year, and the agony of eating grandma's fruit cake because we don't want to hurt her feelings. For some, loved ones are in the hospital, and laundry isn't a priority. Others are dealing with grief and want nothing to do with today, and stay in the house with curtains closed watching TCM classics. This eve, of this Holiday brings a multitude of emotions.
For me? As I sit here and write, I think about a friend whose boyfriend went missing 2 days ago. I think about 2 girlfriends who had surgery 2 days ago. I think about a friend whose son was killed 16 months ago and she's trying to grasp her 2nd Christmas without him. I think about 2 precious children whose mother was killed by a zip line and they don't have their mommy. I think about learning that a woman went to get her gall bladder removed yesterday and was told she has cancer and 6 months to live. I think about the homeless, how they don't even have a home, a house, a family. I think about the unemployed and the stress they feel by not being able to provide a Christmas to their children. I think about my family having their first Christmas without my cousin. To these people, there might not be presents, joy, happiness, turkey dinner, friends, smiles, glitter, parties, or hope. It will be a struggle for them to just get through the next 36 hours. And what a relief when December 26th arrives for some.
That's when I get on my knees and pray for each of these situations. I pray that the Creator of the Universe will pay closer attention to THEIR needs. I pray that God will USE me to show them His Love and a Hope in Him. I pray that the wonderment and awe of the birth of Jesus overrides all sadness. I pray for peace in every heart today. The peace of God which passes ALL understanding. I pray for comfort for those in grief. I pray for ALL of us to know and remember that Christmas isn't a feeling, but an event. The event of Jesus' birth. His Birthday. We recall and cherish, that what we celebrate, which is; OUR SALVATION WAS BORN~
I have been very calm this Christmas season. Our gifts are coming from the heart and not so much the checkbook. A simple Christmas, without stress. (The only stress I had was grocery shopping!) Remembering the true meaning of our December 25th's challenges us to remember what Christmas really means. Wouldn't it be great to have December 25th every day? People are kinder, softer, more patient, more tolerable, more giving with paying it forward, more compassionate with empathy. All of us, no one is exempt, have our struggles, TODAY and TOMORROW. It's up to each of us to encourage, support, accept, help, and pray for one another. It's up to each of us to call upon the name of the Lord for calm, for rescue, for rest, for assurance.
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Luke 2:10 & 11 and vs 14
Merry Christmas

"Who is this King of Glory"

From where I was sitting I could see a lot! For I was sitting in the middle of the chorus and could see all the people entering the sanctuary, in anticipation of having their souls fed with music and word. I was singing with the Wichita Choral Society. And so was my son Michael. This is our second year singing together, and I can't even put into words how my heart sings knowing my son is singing behind me.

As the 15 piece orchestra settled into their chairs, the chorus members were too, settling in their seats. All were attired in black and white. This  choral group of 100 had been rehearsing for 2 months and the day had arrived to perform one of Handel's masterpieces, THE MESSIAH.  Applause exploded as the director/conductor and the guest soloists entered this magnificent sanctuary. The orchestra and chorus stood up to applaud the respect that was had for this director and  principal vocal artists. As all were seated, the director took his stance on his platform, with baton up, there wasn't a sound in that hall. At the moment of command, the orchestra began playing the overture to this well loved music.

The violins were pure in every note that was played. The first soloist came to his platform and began to sing.  The tenor sang his music with precision and strength, singing each note with such clarity. The message conveyed was clearly understood. The chorus stood up at the command of the director and in joyful sound with such fullness, the sanctuary was filled with God's Glory. The second soloist took his place to sing. A voice of deep robust with each word, and each note being  sung. The Bass solo sang so powerfully holding on to every sound, making the listener feel that there was a reason, a purpose to soak in this music. As this choral piece continued, the Alto and Soprano soloists sang with such pitch, such elegance that even an untrained ear would get caught up in the angelic sound.

This piece of music not only speaks to me musically, but also with the words, taken from scripture.  I hear words of  sin, words of warning, words of comfort and words of hope. 

What an incredible privilege to sing with this Choral group and an honor to sing this beautiful and well loved music.