"Throughout time, God has touched and motivated hearts through dreams and visions. Christmas Dreams visits these moments in scripture and connects the experiences of ancient times with our modern journey of faith, pointing to Christ, in whose birth the hopes, yearnings and dreams of all the world are fulfilled. Using traditional carols, newly composed seasonal selections and thoughtful narration, this rich work delivers a tapestry of sound and emotion."
My role this year was narrator. I practiced my part with the CD as I drove around town and with the score and CD in my office. The music was pretty and the message was uplifting.
However, it wasn't until dress rehearsal last Saturday that the message hit home. I had been listening to the music for a month, yet it didn't register until I heard the choir sing it in person. As I listened to the choir sing in person and as I read the narration in person, it began to build, or rather stir inside me... or both.
Tears came after a song and then I stood up to read the narration. It wasn't going to get any better. The words struck me to the core of what I was living and experiencing.
Here are the lyrics to the song that culminated things for me:
"The Magi's Epiphany"
I gave into the mystery.
I search its vast expanse.
I see the spinning pageantry of heaven's cosmic dance.
And then, I stare in silent wonder, searching for a sign;
and I am left to ponder this miracle design.
And then I see a star come rising, burning with the truth;
my anxious thoughts advising with graceful, golden proof.
I reach to touch its glory, to know its healing light.
I watch it move before me, and rage against the night, rage against the night.
And then I follow where it takes me along a glorious way.
It warms me and redeems me and melts my doubt away.
And then it leads me to a promise, where life has found a place;
where Light and Truth are waiting, where lies the Child of Grace.
Sometimes a light surprises a seeker still today.
A sacred star sill rises within the heart of faith.
And then it calls them to the journey, long and narrow road.
It draws them with its burning, to seek, to find, and know.
And then it leads them to a promise where life has found a place;
where Light and Truth are waiting, where lies the Child of Grace.
Some of the words and phrases that stood out to me from the song were: "mystery", "promise", "Light and Truth", "Child of Grace", "heart of faith", "journey". Overall, the song resonated within me.
And here is the narration that I could barely make it through:
"In these sacred moments, we have joined our songs and spirits together to recall the birth of Jesus, the Messiah. We have heard the good news, and we are forever changed. We are now free to hope, believe, and become all that we were meant to be. Let us begin the true work of Christmas and dare to dream of a better world, a greater joy, a deeper faith.
Let us celebrate the graceful promises that are ours in Christ Jesus. Let us hold on to the divine hope that pursues us through every challenge of the heart and each illness of the mind and body. Let us rest secure in the grace that brings peace that is beyond all understanding."
And the Scripture with it:
"For no eye has seen, no ear has heard, neither has it entered into the dreams of anyone, the wondrous things that God has prepared for those love Him." (1 Corinthians 2:9 Adapted)
Wow. Whew. Woah.
Phrases such as "forever changed", "free to hope", "become all that we were meant to be", "begin the true work of Christmas", "dream of a better world, "greater joy", "deeper faith", "celebrate the graceful promises", "hold on to the divine hope", "through every challenge of the heart", "rest secure in the grace", "peace that is beyond all understanding" were swirling around in my heart, mind, and soul. As a pastor and a parent, there have been many things going on in life that these words touched me. The biggest thing as a parent has been to watch my son's dreams come true and for me to rest in the peace that passes all understanding, trusting God who made me and made him.
I turned to the choir during rehearsal after having sort of made it through that portion and said something to the effect of a son's dreams and a mom's hopes.... it all culminated for me as I heard that Cantata.
Whew. An unexpected pouring out of heart, mind, and soul. The combination of the lyrics of the song and the following narration just reminded me once again of God's love, mystery, promise, etc. and that if and as we journey with God, we experience and unfolding, a deeper faith, hope, and peace.
I was determined to make it through the Cantata without such emotion on Sunday night, even though I couldn't make any promises nor would I quench the Spirit. I was able to hold it together more than at dress rehearsal, likely because I had already let it out. Yet, in the same narration, when I hit the end and the Scripture portion, the emotion was there. That's okay. It was real and it was the Spirit. I have been on quite a journey and it's understandable that emotions are part of it.
Allowing the Holy Spirit to work in me and through me isn't easy. I try to live, lead, and love like Jesus. I try to live authentically and vulnerably, yet guard my heart and not cause others to stumble. Wisdom and discernment are crucial to my daily journey, though I don't always get things right. It's not an easy path, as I'm 'darned if I do and darned if I don't'. Thankfully, there's grace.
I will continue to dream big dreams seek to listen to the One Voice who created me and created all of creation.
I dream for unity in community. I dream for healing, reconciliation, for a place where all means all. I have hope that dreams can come true.
What are your Christmas dreams?
May they come true.
Shalom,
Debra
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| Cantata group photo taken by Candace Esparza |
Wow! I am sorry I missed the cantata,but glad to read your thoughts and feel them as well. Love you Debra ♥️
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