December 24, 2005
Awake the Voice, Awake the String!
I sit here in my little house, watching the sun go down and Christmas Eve beginning. It brings to mind a line…"Bob Cratchit immediately began that most pleasant of activities – the celebration of Christmas."
I spent part of the day delivering presents to friends, dropping them off on doormats and creeping away. Only once did someone catch me! It was quite fun.
I spent another part of the day at the church. It was dark and quiet inside, and the air seemed filled with an energy, as if the church is just waiting for the services tonight. I spent some time decorating, checking candles and luminaries, and wondering where the Advent wreath disappeared to (Michael…?).
It has been such a crazy few months, I never seem to be able to update here because every time I do, I realize there’s just been too much happening for a short update. Theatre, theatre, and more theatre, mostly.
My Christmas season has been filled with plays, concerts, parties, dinners, and friends. (Oh, and did I mention I filmed a movie this month, too?) And music! The best music has played through my Christmas season…this month has been filled to the brim with the contradictions of John Rutter and John Adams…Bach and Paulus…Tosca and Men Alive.
It’s been a month in which I discovered some new and very good friends, which took me by surprise and delighted me.
It’s also been a month of goodbyes. Mary. Bob. Hal…
This late afternoon hour is the last time I have to sit quietly, or to finish any last-minute detail. Because soon I have to get ready for the service, and then my life becomes a lovely whirlwind of singing, friends, candles, luminaries, stars, early rising, stockings, mince-pies-sausage-rolls-coffee, presents, cooking, eating, long-distance calls. I remember Fred always began the candlelight service by saying, “Whatever is not done by now, will have to remain undone. Take a deep breath…and let it go.” Great peace in those words.
I wish that tonight and tomorrow you may walk upon the winds with the Spirit of Christmas Present, and know him better.