Wishing you peace and joy this season
Advertisement
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/12/2021 (541 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
It’s December already. The snow is here to stay. Brightly lit Christmas trees glow from the windows of homes along my street. I love this time of year.
I love the way people feel drawn to show care through sending and receiving cards, being generous with time and money to help those with less, and baking and sharing goodies with neighbours. I love how this holiday brings families together and makes kids smile.
I especially love creating atmosphere. I can go a little crazy with Christmas lights and candles. And I love Christmas music.
Music is a huge part of my life. I grew up in a musical family. Being Mennonite, there was a lot of singing — my Mom’s side even attempted to sing Handel’s Messiah one year, much to my husband’s amazement.
When I want to set the mood, I look for the classics — the carols and songs that have stood the test of time. It’s fun to find Christmas CDs at the library — I am still old-school — or buy something new if I can. This year, my favourite borrowed albums feature Nat King Cole, Pentatonix and Johnny Reid.
Music is such a wonderful gift. It can stir our emotions with its beauty and at the same time convey deep meaning through its message. It can transport us to other times and places: special times in our lives, places real and imagined, different points in history. It can also inspire us to lofty pursuits.
As I prepared to write this article, I searched for “best Christmas carols” and came across a list of 30, top of which was O Holy Night. Written by Placide Cappeau and Adolphe Adams, with English translation by John Sullivan Dwight, it tells the story of the coming of Christ to the world with a soaring melody and profound yet down-to-earth lyrics.
Here are a few of my favourite lines:
“A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices”;
“In all our trials born to be our friend”;
“Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.”
How timeless this song is. The world is still weary and in need of hope. We still face trials. We still need to be taught to love one another. For we still have a tendency to be self-centred. And we still have trouble in the world. But, as Jesus was quoted in John 16:33, “…take heart! I have overcome the world.” Hope in dark times.
As Christmas approaches, will you take time to light some candles, put on some music and ponder in your heart the coming of Jesus into the world?
Peace and joy to you this holy season.
Sonya Braun is a community correspondent for Springfield North.
Sonya Braun
Springfield North community correspondent
Sonya Braun is a community correspondent for Springfield North.