Illuminate

Friday night my husband and I went to see Spiritus Chamber Choir perform their holiday concert, Illuminate.  It was one of the highlights of my music-listening life. 

We have seen Spiritus a few times now, and I wholeheartedly encourage you to experience them (or a local high-quality choir of some sort near you).  I'm not kidding when I say that music like what we heard Friday shows a different face of humanity - regardless of your spiritual faith, understanding or lack thereof, good music gets at your soul.  Writing about it like this I feel like such a plod.  It's like trying to put into words what love feels like when you hold your new baby.  Can't be done.  But the music Spiritus gave me will keep my heart floating through this Christmas season.  Spectacular.

December is a crazy time for musicians - pros and amateurs.  I have a friend who kisses her husband goodbye at the end of November because she won't see him until January, and she doesn't leave town.  She's just in demand.  There is something about Christmas that calls for song.  If you think about other words that get bandied about during this time of year - love, peace, goodwill, generosity, kindness, fellowship - and the acts that go with them - foodbank donations, charitable giving, gift giving, community gatherings - is it any wonder that song should go with those things?  Music can be such a powerful motivator for all that is good.

My encouragement for December is threefold.  One is to do what I've encouraged in this space before: LISTEN to the music.  Some of these Christmas songs and carols are so familiar that we do not think about them any more.  HEAR them this year, even in your shopping malls or hair salons.  Listen to the music.  Two is to take in some live music somehow.  Whatever that looks like.  Encourage your local musicians by lending your ears.  Be fed by what they can offer.  And three, remember the reason all this comes together in celebration every year.  To celebrate the birth of Jesus is to celebrate all that is good and loving and peaceful. 

May you have a blessed Christmas with the three Fs in abundance - Family, Fellowship and FOOD!  And of course, music.