DECEMBER 27TH - THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMAS

 

The Nativity by Jacob Jordaens the Elder, c.1653

Psalm 93

The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty;

    the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength;

    indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.

Your throne was established long ago;

    you are from all eternity.

 The seas have lifted up, Lord,

    the seas have lifted up their voice;

    the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.

Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,

    mightier than the breakers of the sea—

    the Lord on high is mighty.

 Your statutes, Lord, stand firm;

    holiness adorns your house

    for endless days.

 

When we lived in Calgary, we would look forward to attending the Calgary Philharmonic’s annual Traditional Christmas performance. Rather than at the CPO’s usual venue – the enormous Jack Singer Concert Hall –  this event took place at the relatively intimate Grace Presbyterian, one of Calgary’s great old churches. Every time we went the event was sold out, and the weather was suitably cold, which meant that people were happy to sit close to strangers in the old pews. The CPO did not skimp on instrumentalists or vocalists, so the front of the church was equally packed. It felt like sitting in the orchestra’s lap. And when the music began, it felt like a tea cozy of sound enveloping the audience.

 he program included a few contemporary Christmas favourites, but mostly the music was choral classical in nature, much of it new to us and always a delightful surprise. One piece, in particular, we now return to every Christmas; Serenity (O Magnum Mysterium) by Ola Gjeilo, performed with a choir and one cello. The effect of this piece on a room full of diverse strangers was sublime; it felt like the final step between being music lovers to becoming actual worshippers. And in that sacred space infused with sacred music, there may have been more than a few who found themselves making the leap. I suspect that the music of Christmas has that effect on more people than who will admit it.

Each year when I listen to this piece, I find myself contemplating two contrasting pictures; the glory of God and His creation described in Psalm 93 against the humble scene described in the original text of O Magnum Mysterium: 

O great mystery, and wonderful sacrament, that animals should see the newborn Lord, lying in a manger! Blessed is the virgin whose womb was worthy to bear the Lord, Jesus Christ. Alleluia!

The Lord of the vast, pristine cosmos is the same Lord who came among us as Emmanuel with animals, hay, and the comfort of warm bodies together on a cold night. (Note: I can confirm that the Holy Land in December is chilly. I saw actual snow on the hills.)  Flash forward – cold strangers in Calgary, bundled up and grateful for the warm church, snuggled up against each other, smells of old wood, musical instruments and the crush of bodies, grateful for one another’s company. Like little children, all gathered in expectation of something truly extraordinary.

 Prayer:

Lord, you are the one we have been longing for. No one or nothing else will satisfy. Lord speak to us. Lord, meet with us. Now and always. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

 - Pat Hammond