Into Advent and beyond

Advent began this week. Last year, the church and tone bell choirs presented a Hanging of the Greens service as our seasonal “program.” But this year--I retired last December--the minister decided against the long-established service.
Sis Barb, a church musician in Arlington VA, who was to fly out of Little Rock at five pm on Saturday, didn’t leave until seven, due to mechanical problems on the plane. She missed her connecting flight from Dallas by fifteen minutes and had to spend the night at a Dallas Hilton – without her toiletries or fresh clothes. She did not make her church service, and no organists were available to sub. None of us is indispensable, of course, and church went on anyway.
So far, during these three seasons--Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, I've heard the Henderson State University choir, which includes my grandson, sing Messiah. Other concerts I want to attend are Amahl and the Night Visitors and Bach to Christmas by the AR Chamber Singers.
Those, and the local church choir concert on December 15 may be the extent of my traveling around for music's sake.
May you each strive for peace as you prepare for the seasons of Advent and Christmas. #