Tis the Season

So as always, about a million different things have been running through my head over the past couple of months. None of which I bothered to type so that all the internet could see.

This is the first year that I've come up against Christmas resistance in my office. I've discovered several people in my office who just do not like Christmas. To the extent that they're not interested in playing any reindeer games.

I've been kind of puzzled about what my cause a person to get all Scrooge-like at this time of year. I wonder perhaps if it was something traumatic, like the death of a family member. Or maybe it was something else. Regardless, it requires a different tact when approaching someone. I obviously won't be giving them a Christmas card, but can I do something else? If so, what?

Any of you have any dealings with "Office Scrooges?" Any thoughts?

Thoughts on Christmas Eve

I wanted to get a few things down in an entry, so here I am. I'm currently listening to the theme from "Amahl and the Night Visitors."

1. I was reading through the Christmas story this week and happened to take note of a couple of verses in Luke 1. Gabriel has just appeared to Mary and he says

"Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." -Luke 1:30-33

Did you ever notice the name-dropping on Gabriel's part? Not only does he mention God, but he then proceeds to connect her son to historical figures like King David and Jacob. How daunting must that have appeared? I've been trying to figure out how I could make that relevant to today. I can't. But I'm fairly certain that Mary was familiar with these figures and probably didn't know what to make of it all.

2. There is a lot of rich Christian traditions outside of America. Tonight, I accompanied our choir on a Nigerian Christmas piece called "Betelemu." It was awesome to think about cultures so rich in percussion, using that talent to it's fullest extent. It almost makes a lot of our American music kind of bland. And it makes me want to play more world music. Does that make me un-American? (It's okay if it does, my citizenship is somewhere else)

3. I had a very encouraging online chat with a friend this morning. I was hoping to touch base with him before Christmas and was glad I was able to do so.

4. Have you ever thought about what Jesus did before age 30? What kind of carpenter was he? Were his rates good? Was his handiwork sought after? Did he have an apprentice? Imagine this job interview:

Interviewer: "I see that you had an apprenticeship several years ago. Who did you apprentice with?
Job Candidate: "Oh, I apprenticed with Jesus of Nazereth."
Interviewer: [jaw drops] Umm, you're hired!

5. Last thought. Ladies, have you ever wondered what Elizabeth felt when John leaped in the womb in the presence of Mary? Would it be like a normal kick? Or would it be like a somersault or something like that?

Merry Christmas.

Super-Good Stuff!

I make a habit of keeping up with what's going on in a handful of churches in the immediate area, as well as churches that are a little further away. Buckhead Church falls into the latter category. They're in Atlanta, GA and they've got some pretty creative programs. Check out the program they put together called Giving Up Christmas.

That is some powerful stuff!!

Advent Devotional

If you're looking for an Advent Devotional this season, consider Following the Star. It's an online devotional specifically geared towards Advent.

Ding Dong Merrily on High

The bells are sweetly ringing! 'Tis the season for multiple opportunities to attend Christmas hanbell concerts.....

The Grantham Ringers will be ringing at Grantham Church on the 21st. They will be joined by several other choirs and ensembles. More information here.

One of the Camp Hill United Methodist bell choirs (I think maybe the Chancel Bells?) is playing at the governor's mansion this Sunday, the 14th at 1:00pm. They'll also be playing on Christmas Eve. More info on the Christmas Eve service here.

And finally, I got this email tonight from the Hershey Handbell Ensemble. They normally have several holiday concerts, but this appears to be the only one this season.

The Hershey Handbell Ensemble, a thirteen-member auditioned community group, will present a free concert on Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 12:00 PM at Strawberry Square Shopping Complex, 11 North Third Street, Harrisburg.

The concert will include arrangements of holiday music and transcriptions of classical works for handbells. The program will feature music of Bach, arr. Gramann; with carol arrangements by Cynthia Dobrinski, Cathy Moklebust, Terry Price, and Valerie Stephenson. Also included will be several selections for handbell duet and piano rung by Ruth Dunnewold and Susan Stiller. Visit the program page of the website for complete details.

The ensemble, under the direction of Shawn Gingrich, was formed in 2004 and is committed to advancing the art of handbell ringing through performance, education, and community, while uniting people through this musical art.

Ensemble members are: Maggie Beatty, Holly Brubaker, Ruth Dunnewold, Cindy Fair, Laine Heltebridle, Laura Henry, Dawn Herring, Liz Kielley, John Kilheffer, Natalie Sandel, Susan Stiller, Gay Wells, and Janice Wilson.

For more information visit www.hersheyhandbellensemble.org or call Shawn Gingrich 717-583-1922.

Percussive Awesomeness

Check out this video from Musical Furnishings. Then consider buying one for me.