A Merry Christmas (from a choir member's perspective)

Somehow I don’t think my thoughts here are probably kosher, but they’re sincere.

But one of the best things about singing in the choir is where we get to sit and the perspective it brings sometimes.

There were several striking aspects about our service this Christmas Eve, e.g. Bethlehem’s significance of being the "House of Bread” and seeking out our true sustenance and not being snared by lesser things; Singing my buddy Paul Gerhardt’s text via Catherine Winkworth’s translation: “Come then, let us hasten yonder; Here let all, Great and small, Kneel in awe and wonder. Love Him who with love is yearning; Hail the Star That from far Bright with hope is burning!”; Lighting the night with our candles as we sang “Silent Night...”

But Christmas came, so to speak, when my fellow parishioners came forward for communion and I got to be thankful for each and every one and pray for them and think about what it means to be church with them. The Church is what it’s all about and tonight was just especially moving and beautiful. God is gracious.