Good people all

Though there is still light in the sky, darkness is settling over this part of the earth. The snow is taking on a blue cast, and I can hear the birds retreating to their roosts. I am getting ready to go out, and make my way down to the Church of the Intercession. I vowed decades ago that I would sing in any church that asked me, and so I will not be at the great Cathedral this night, but at a smaller church, singing with a choir, and soloing on my favorite Christmas song, the Wexford Carol (a gorgeous version here by Alison  Kraus and YoYo Ma).

I know that, all over this city, people are celebrating this night and tomorrow's day in whatever fashion they can - which for some, is not at all. That's understandable. Aside from the fact that there are different faiths, including the faith of no-faith, we Christians have not always proven by our actions that this day is worth celebrating. As I see it, there is no point in just talking about Christmas and the birth of a Savior. Talk is not all that convincing if our deeds in the world, or lack of them, contradict what we are saying. I am not pointing fingers here except at myself. I know what is in my heart, but it is a little too easy for me to be privately devoted, and to stop just short of "going public"  and into action. So that's what I am going to be working on this year.

We can't prove that Christ is born unless he is born in our hearts and hands. So bring the torch, Jeannette Isabelle. Let's light the world.

And God bless us, everyone.