Agnus Dei

It was the first Christmas carol of the Season. There is something captivating about Joy To The World when the people around you are singing their hearts out. No one was at all timid about it. We all rose to our feet as the music, and our hearts, swelled, the group on the stage smiling and welcoming and ready. 

Joy to the world! The LORD is come!

Let earth receive her King.

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing!

I had noticed the boxes of Kleenex on each pew, and wondered. But as soon as that music started, I understood the Kleenex! and reached for one automatically.

We only knew 5 people there that day. But I must tell you, it felt as though there was not a stranger among us. There were babies and young parents, there were hipsters, and older parents, and sprinkled here and there we saw the grandparents and beyond. It was the sweetest thing. All were welcomed, and every hand was shaken. And in the midst of all of this and the laughter, the music began again and we were caught up in the first verse of Angels We Have Heard on High!

Tomorrow it will be December, and the month of celebration ahead looks terrifically inviting. Already gift ideas are being whispered abroad, and already we are emphasizing what the gifts are all about. It is an electrifying conversation to have with small people, because they love and understand gifts. It is splendid to watch as they hear again about the greatest Gift, the Gift of Jesus, within whom all gifts find their Meaning. They instantly look forward to their own opportunity to be generous. Giving means more, now.

The Christmas carols were nearly finished, but the final words we all sang together meant the most, I think. From the Agnus Dei..

Alleluia

Alleluia,

For the Lord God Almighty Reigns.

Alleluia

Holy

Holy, are You Lord God, Almighty

Worthy is the Lamb, Worthy is the Lamb,

You are Holy

Some had never heard it, but you wouldn't have guessed this by the sound of the voices. Louder and fuller, the tune and the words caught us each, and held.There was no doubt about why we were all there. The central Theme. It will be proclaimed this month and beyond, many a time. Perhaps you will find yourselves there.

Perhaps I will see you and we might sing together, "Let every heart prepare Him room, and Heaven and nature sing."

Oh, to be a part of That. 

See you along the Way!

the SconeLady