Everywhere you go

'Tis the season! Today there is a light dusting of snow in progress as I write. Not enough, yet, to complicate life, but enough to show up on the grass and trees. The northern European, Currier & Ives, Norman Rockwell images of Christmas are starting to come into focus once again. "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" and "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas" - everywhere you go!

On the internet, too, Christmas standards are showing up as viral videos. A couple of columns ago I posted a flashmob video that brings together two of my passions - choir and bicycles. By now most of you will have seen at least one of the "Hallelujah Chorus" flashmob videos. Choir insinuates itself into a crowded public space, recorded orchestra kicks in, and voila! this shopper and that mom and the other custodian are actually choristers who regale the unsuspecting crowd with a glorious Handel chorus. It really is inspiring, and I can't see these without a lump in my throat and without wondering, "could we pull that off?" So far, the videos are everywhere you go, but I don't know anyone who has been present in an actual flashmob scene.

But also everywhere you go, if you have the ears for it, you may hear the Gospel being sung in unusual places. Unabashedly clear, classic Christmas carols and hymns proclaim, "Christ the Savior is born!" and "Sweet little Jesus boy - we didn't know who you was" and "Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die ... born to give us second birth." Lately I find myself praying in those places, "Lord, give people ears to hear these words! Then take them some place they can do something about it."

We have a number of occasions to be that place where people who hear Christmas music can take the next step in understanding and responding to its Gospel message. The children's choirs festival, "The Christmas Gift" is an excellent guest event, with the Gospel winsomely and clearly presented by our children. The carol service, "Enter In," likewise has a clear message which listeners may "enter into" by singing familiar carols. Pastor Moody will help connect the Christmas-Gospel dots with a few comments in that service. Then the annual Christmas Communion service explores and celebrates the twin themes: God With Us/God For Us, or Incaration/Atonement, with a Christmas service that takes place around the communion table. A full, rich picture of the Gospel.

Not to mention the Christmas Eve services. Christmas Eve is the greatest "guest service" of the year across America. More un-churched people will be in a church that evening than on Easter morning. And we have some beautiful services - precious metal into which is set the jewel of the gospel.

Many of you will participate musically in one or more of these services and events. I encourage all of us to invite others to attend:
Dec. 5 - 6pm - "The Christmas Gift" with the Children's Choirs and College Church Singers
Dec. 12 - 6pm - "Enter In" with the Chancel Choir and Orchestra
Dec. 19 - 6pm - Christmas Communion
Christmas Eve services on Friday, De.c 24, at 4pm (for families with young children), 8 and 11pm (candlelight services).

The music is everywhere you go. And so is the Gospel! Enjoy it as you

Sing on!