| Michael, my Spiritual Director, publishes a weekly message which I call my 4M (Monday Morning Michael Missive). I look forward to it each week, as much because it always seems to coincide with my life’s awakenings as because I love him and cherish his guidance. Here’s this week’s “give and take…” |
| Paul encouraged the believers in Philippi, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4). Paul's admonition is easily misunderstood to mean, "Be happy!" In truth, the Greek word translated, "rejoice," means, "to celebrate"--specifically, in Philippians 4:4, to "celebrate in the Lord." There are circumstances when it's difficult to call up a feeling of happiness; there are, however, no circumstances that deter believers from being determined, with gratitude, to celebrate life and blessing in the Lord. When Paul, in the company of Silas and others, first established the congregation in Philippi, their ministry faced gratuitous charges from the local authorities. Paul and Silas were arrested--and without trial--beaten and thrown into the dungeon, their feet fastened in stocks. And yet, in apparent spite of their circumstances, "about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God" (Philippians 4:25). What heroic measure of faith allowed their spirits to sing in the midst of such suffering and injustice? Actually, it's quite possible that, "about midnight," Paul and Silas were mired in misery and doubt. But the two men consciously and powerfully chose to celebrate their lives in the Lord with song rather than to lament their prevailing circumstances with whine. The two were not singing because they were filled with joy; they were filled with joy because they were singing.” Michael Fox CPCC, founder of m·agine! | <><><><>
Last night I attended a 90-minute "A Festival of Lessons and Carols" at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church here in the desert. The church was showcased as the place of repose prior to interment in Michigan of its most famous member, President Gerald Ford, but its real treasure is its 40+ person adult choir.
In the moments before the celebration began, I turned my focus to the congregation… young and old, rich and poor, sick and healthy, truly a microcosm of the world outside these walls. We had borne our infirmities, physical or emotional, in the hope that in this special place, on this special night, we could fill our hearts once again with the promise of eternity in the face of a Child.
Just then the organist struck the first chord of the Hymn in Procession, and a heavenly transformation began. The first of six verses of the familiar "Once in Royal David's City" rose from a whisper to a roar as the full choir strode up the center aisle and onto the altar to take their positions. Around me my fellow congregants joined the choir, and in one voice we ushered in a season of joy, peace and love in the birth of a Baby who came to save us.
We settled in to a Holy Night. Hope had conquered pain, and earthly anxiety had yielded to inner joy. Together we sang Hymn 66: "Come thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee."
Some, I am certain, found hope this night; others were reminded of the joy of the season; and some sat back and simply were entertained by a wonderful musical performance.
I count this night as my first Christmas gift of the season, watching seasonal chaos replaced with childlike wonder. And I know it was born of one truth, paraphrased from this morning’s 4M (through “provendipity,” one of Michael’s self-defining coined phrases): ‘we were not singing because we were filled with joy; we were filled with joy because we were singing.’
Darling, your testimony gave me chills. Thank you, thank you.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a magical evening! There's something about so many voices contributing together. I agree with Michael - chills...
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