Monday, December 17, 2007

Mush

Mush

I am not, by nature, a church goer or a church follower. I *think* I am still a Christian, but for obvious reasons my faith wavers mightily, like a candle in a draught. But, and it is a big but, I do love carols and churches before Christmas.

Tonight, was my school's carol service. And as we sang 'The Holly and the Ivy' and 'Little Town of Bethlehem', I did have a bit of an out of body experience as myself, floating high by the stone columns watched the inner me, down in the pews slowly melt to mush.

What is it about an organ, a choir and a harmonious chorus that is so moving? I felt tears prick at my eyes tonight as I looked back over Christmasses past, and those, I hope, to come. It was so special in the tiny little church, with my three children beside me and fellow parents, staff and children all around.

I find too the words that I have heard ever since I was a child, lonely in a Kent boarding school such a comfort. I am sure that much of the reason that I am an English teacher is because the King James' bible's ritual gave me such warmth.

And so Minerva took these things and pondered them in her heart.

Minerva

12 comments:

kenju said...

Those songs and the organ swells speak to us because they are so UPLIFTING, Minerva, unlike much of the music we listen to today.They arouse our spirit, not our base nature. I think this is a sign for you; the OOBE took you out of yourself to ponder what you were experiencing, so it would make a greater impression on your soul.
Amen...end of sermon....LOL

Rainypete said...

Our church has a nice touch that they do on the Christmas Eve service that always moves me. When you arrive ou are handed a candle. As teh service is finishing the choir begins singing Silent Night with the organ. Once the candles are lit the organ falls away and only the voices of everyone fill the hall. The lights are turned out and the music and candlelight fill the heart. Very powerful moment indeed. Every year I am moved as though it is the first time seeing it.

Terry said...

Oh Minerva!....Love Terry

David said...

so you turn to mush, who is going to complain? the season is made for those willing to consider the great gift of life, and the love behind that sort of gift.
maybe you felt loved.

Michael Manning said...

If we were looking down into your spirit, we too would find it beautiful and uplifting, Minerva!:)

Anonymous said...

God bless you Minerva.

Christa said...

Maybe the way that music will touch us is rooted way back in time. After all, a lot of us grow up with traditional Christmas music, and the service at Christmas is one of the most beautiful if you ask me :)

Doris said...

Ahhhhhh :-)






Or should that be ..... Ahhhhhhhmennnnnnnn :-)

Jean-Luc Picard said...

That must have been a beautiful experience; very uplifting and fulfilling.

alan said...

That you find not only find joy in things while so much is going on in your life but take time to share it among others makes you so very wonderfully special!

Thank you for being you!

alan

Lyn said...

Is there anything that can fill us more than the powerful music and lyrics of Christmas? It's pure magic that embraces us, captures our spirits and melts our hearts.

Grafted Branch @ Restoring the Years said...

You said...

"What is it about an organ, a choir and a harmonious chorus that is so moving?"

I answer...

Because it--all of it--is about Him. Not you and not me. It is all for His glory. Alone. Reverence and unity. It's a gift from the Lord.

And on some level, your soul knows it well.

Merry Christmas and the Lord Jesus bless you.