Yesterday I attended our Friends Meeting for Worship Christmas Pageant. Every year it makes me cry.
The young First Day children sit on the facing bench in their homemade costumes, and raise their wooden doves, cows, sheep and stars on sticks at key moments as we sing each Carol. The older children sit with them and take turns reading the Lessons. A lively musical band of Friends plays the Carols, including Monroe on his washtub bass and Mike on the Irish bodhrán drum.
Young teenagers play Mary and Joseph and they enter carrying a newborn baby. It’s the Christmas miracle that starts me crying every year. How is it that we always have a new baby in our Meeting at Christmastime? How is it that, for the whole hour, the baby never, ever cries, but just opens its eyes and gazes at us?
As the story unfolds, child-shepherds guide into the Meeting House two real, live sheep and then two real, live llamas. I cry then, too, and I’m glad that I no longer eat large animals.
This year I noticed something new. The Carols all say “have no fear” in one way or another. Some mention fear and some only mention antidotes to fear.
O Come, All Ye Faithful invites us to be faithful, joyful, adoring, singing in exultation, and happy.
O Little Town of Bethlehem offers the hopes and fears of all the years are met in the everlasting Light, with angels keeping their watch of wondering love, and singing great glad tidings and praise to peace on earth.
Angels We Have Heard sweetly sing of joy and jubilee, gladsome tidings, a heavenly song, praise, and raising our hearts in love.
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks, the angel comes in glory and tell us fear not. No more mighty dread to seize our troubled minds. There are glad tidings of glory and peace on earth.
Away in a Manger describes a sweet baby, asleep under the stars. And when the cattle low and the baby awakes, he doesn’t cry. He is loved.
The Friendly Beasts remind us that, even though this baby was humbly born in a stable, there was much help. The donkey carried his mother safely. The cow gave him a bed of hay. The sheep gave him wool for a blanket. The dove cooed him to sleep. They all gave their gifts with love.
We Three Kings brought gifts, too, of prayer and praising and redemption.
A Star Filled the Sky calls to us, “Little children, little children, the starlight’s within you. Keep it shining, brightly shining, and your heart will be free.” It says to walk gladly, speak truth in a loving way, teach peace to the people and bring joy to the world.
This is what I need to practice every day… to be not afraid.
Love & Light,
Valerie
Again, beautifully written, Valerie. The beautiful Christmas story as told by the carols.
May your Christmas be truly blessed and joyous!
Theolyn
Thank you, Theolyn , for your steadfast friendship and support.
Happy Christmas to you and David and all of your family.
Love & Light,
Valerie
The theme of fear, and how to let go of fear, has been on my mind a lot lately. This is a very timely post. I have been thinking it is fear (or any number of its relatives, such as insecurity and anxiety) that is driving us away from compassion. It gets in the way of joy. I makes people react in hateful ways to the suffering of their fellow beings. So I am with you, I will try to let go of fear, and let in love, joy and compassion. You’re setting a good example, once again, Valerie. Fear not.
Many thanks for sharing your thoughts, Bob.
A friend told me today that the gospels of Jesus are more about fear than anything else. Yes, it is my greatest obstacle to the greatest thing I want to learn.
Here is the gospel as sung by Nat King Cole:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iq0XJCJ1Srw
Love & Light,
Valerie
You know I love Nat King Cole.
Makes senses to me. <3
Valerie –
What a lovely post. And the picture is just perfect.
It’s funny, I’ve been thinking about going to a midnight service this Christmas Eve. Something is making me nostalgic for all those years my sisters and I got dressed up in our matching black velvet dresses with the tie-on lace collars (who knows what my brother wore?!), and we all headed off to our little Episcopal church to hear Mom sing in the choir and be part of the oh-so-traditional service. As unreligious as I am, it is a memory that brings a sense of well-being. And yes, those carols are a big big part of that feeling.
Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you, dear Em.
I share that nostalgia. Although we were not raised to be religious, for some years my sister and I visited All Saints Episcopal Church at Chevy Chase Circle, where my Mom was a paid soloist. I think I also had a velvet dress with a lace collar. I loved the traditional service and still do today. It is very comforting.
My sister married a wonderful man who is Episcopalian. They raised their children in the church and attend Saint Thomas in New York.
When we visit NYC, Gregory and I go to church with them, and we also go to The Church of St. Luke in the Fields where our good friend, Kit, sings.
We are going to the National Cathedral on Christmas Eve as we do almost every year with our friend Maggie. Both Maggie and I are Jewish and I think we enjoy the Lessons and Carols as much as anyone in the place. It will be the early service this time.
May we all be well, happy and peaceful.
Love & Light,
Valerie
Valerie –
Who knew we had the Episcopal church in common?! Hee hee.
Interestingly, I still prefer the King James translation, even though I understand it’s pretty inaccurate (my Jewish friends try not to cringe). In fact, I find my nonreligious self feeling put off when I hear a newer translation being used at an Episcopal service … channeling my mom, I spose.
Also interestingly, at least one of my sisters attended the National Cathedral school back in the day. We lived in Arlington until I was almost four, but of course it’s only my olderr siblings who have real memories of the area. For instance, tea at the Ritz with Mom, swimming at the Army Navy Club. I’ll bet you would have a lot to talk about!
Wow!
My brother-in-law went to St. Albans. We knew quite a few girls from the National Cathedral School.
Six degrees of separation!
Love & Light,
Valerie
Episcopal World reaches far! The