By: Kathleen
Christmas, faith, family, liturgical music

That Sneaky Old Christmas Spirit

It sneaks up on me sometimes…usually when I haven’t had a chance to think it out of existence. Like today, for instance. I won’t bore you with the miles-long list of things that have to be done by tomorrow at 5p.m. Let’s just say that by 10a.m. today, I had accomplished more than I usually accomplish in a whole day. If I’d had time to think about it, I would not have expected today to be one of those heart-squeezing, teary-eyed Christmas Eve’s. Especially after we arrived at church to discover that one of the members of the parish music ministry passed away very unexpectedly…today, I think.

But somewhere, along about here…

Choir Babies, Nicholas & O.

…I found myself smiling. And when I saw the boys entertaining themselves while we warmed up…

Wow! We actually get to play with TOYS at church? It MUST be a special occasion!

…I had to laugh. And by the time we had raised the roof with “Angels We Have Heard on High” and “O Come All Ye Faithful” (piano, drums, two guitars, bass, trumpet, trombone and thirty singers), the magic had happened. My heart was full–open–overflowing.

The Contemporary Group singers
That's me on the left, conducting from the flute

I asked Alex to take pictures during the Gloria. It was hot, and he was sleepy, so he didn’t last long. These were the two most useful of his dozen snapshots. 😉 And when he decided he was finished, he came across the aisle and shoved the camera at me. Luckily, I was playing three notes in a row that only required the left hand, so I was able to grab it without creating a scene.

There were these moments, during “What Child is This?”…

One of four married couples in our choir...aren't we blessed?
Our fearless percussionist. No, he's not Santa...at least, I don't think so!

And there was my husband, working seamlessly with me to lead the music…

The love of my life...wearing his early Christmas gift (the tie)

So that by the time Mass was over, all the irritations of the day were past, and I–as well as my children–were ready to be a family. 

And this evening, as I put the little ones to bed and folded laundry, I listened to Christian and Alex playing computer games at NORADSanta.com, and I had to smile at my boys. What other night of the year would Alex shout, “Hurry, Daddy! Hurry! Santa’s almost here! I have to get to bed!”
Christmas is off to a beautiful start.