My Christmas Hope

Dear Boo and Bubble,

We just returned from the matinee performance of the Ensemble Theater’s Christmas performance at the old rock elementary school in Banner Elk.  I always enjoy it when we avail ourselves of the many cultural opportunities in our area and this one was no exception.  The program was wide-ranging from the hilarious like “Ugly Sweater” and “Christmas Rhapsody” by Queen, to the more secular seasonal selections like “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays” and “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree.”

Young dancers from the Western Carolina Youth Ballet danced the three variations of Chinese in Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker.  (Boy—did that take me back to years ago when your mom and Aunt Bee used to perform in Columbia.)  They also executed beautifully interpretive choreography to Silent Night. Another dance group, The Carolina Showbelles, rocked the auditorium with a Rockette-style rendition of “Let it Snow.”

The highlight for me, though, came during the singing of my favorite sacred carol — O Holy Night. It started out with the very familiar lyrics of the first verse, but the four female vocalists continued into the second, which I don’t believe I have ever heard before...or at least acknowledged.  Perhaps there are manywho have and, if so, I hope they have been moved to live by them.  I immediately came home and researched the song.  These words speak to me as to the true meaning of Christ’s life because they lay out a simple formula for peace—love of our fellow man.   

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,

With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.

So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,

Here come the wise men from the Orient land.

The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;

In all our trials born to be our friend.

He knows our need, to our weaknesses no stranger,

Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!

Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;

And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,

His power and glory evermore proclaim.

His power and glory evermore proclaim.

May I offer to you a heartfelt early Merry Christmas in hopes that this world somehow can find its way to a better place by adopting His law of love and His gospel of peace.