'Tis the Season!

I believe music is one of the greatest joys of the Christmas season.

(Apparently it is for Atticus as he requested "a little Christmas tunage" the other day.)

Our move to California has afforded me 3 fabulous, live "Christmas tunage" opportunities in the last couple weeks.

1. We have joined the Clovis Adult School bell choir.

It's technically for retirees, but we moved from Florida so I guess they figure that counts. Monday nights Paris, Mom, Kathryn and I head over to my old high school choir room and don the white gloves. The result is admittedly sometimes dreadful, but always entertaining. And fun!

2. The Messiah Sing-Along

Fresno First Presbyterian Church holds an annual Messiah sing-along the weekend after Thanksgiving. I've been learning the alto part since April of this year in hopes of finding a sing-along in Florida. Little did I know I'd need it for the Fresno one. Go fig.

Mom, Irene, Merrily Bonnet, Sandy Cusak and I headed downtown!

The event is accompanied by a full orchestra and is simply gorgeous.

We sat in the loft. Turned out to be the best seat in the house.

The only unenjoyable part of the night was realizing the man singing the most beautiful opening tenor solos was a boy I had babysat back in the day...Slight buzz kill.

3. The 26th Annual, Fresno East Stake Relief Society Christmas Choir

(Muchas gracias to Mom who fought valiantly to save me a spot since I missed most rehearsals.)

This annual concert is a community event a year in the making. Women from the stake rehearse every Sunday for months in preparation. It's hard work, but there is nothing in the world like singing in a choir led by a talented, professional director and which is enhanced by the Spirit because of its message and purpose.

It's exhilarating and humbling at the same time.

We had professional lighting for the performance. Once those stage lights come on it's hard to see much of anything, not even your music. This uncomfortable phenomenon created a beautiful opportunity for me personally.

This painting of Christ Ordaining the Apostles hangs in the east foyer of the stake center. It is a lovely, looooong painting.

Due to my placement on the stand, the angle of the open chapel door, and the lighting in the foyer this was all I could see Friday and Saturday during the hour we sang of the Savior's birth:

I was touched to be reminded so poignantly of the purpose - the PERSON - behind the glorious songs we were singing. This fun-filled, family-oriented month is all about the birth of the King of Kings whose most humble beginning foreshadowed His humble life of service and sacrifice.

My favorite song was a lullaby sung from Mary's perspective. "Sleep, baby, sleep. Sleep 'til the dawn starts to break."

I was especially touched by this phrase as I thought of our trials of the last few months, job hunting and relocating amid national financial and employment crises. I remembered feeling the same reassurance over and over again as we searched for the right job..."Sleep, baby, sleep. Sleep 'til the dawn starts to break."

I'm grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who loves us all with the pure love a mother has for her newborn babe. I'm grateful for the peace and blessings we've been given this year. I pray for others facing life-trials to feel that hope, experience peace in their hearts, and recognize divine love throughout this season until their dawns break.

Thank you to Leslie Woods and the stake Relief Society presidency for providing the women in the choir this opportunity. I am forever changed by it.