One day recently, I sat down at the piano, wanting to play something but unsure what. There was my own music—an eclectic mix of classical works, sacred and gospel songs, albums from hit musicals, pop songs from the sixties! There were piano pieces our children used to play, along with pop songs of their day. There were albums of waltzes and other dance music belonging to my mother, along with popular piano classics I liked to hear her play as a child. And there was my grandfather’s music too—classical tenor solos and Scottish and Irish ballads, their pages mottled with age. I was spoilt for choice.
In the end, I decided on some popular piano classics from my mother’s era. And, as soon as those inexpert notes of mine began to ring out, there too were the memories of hearing them all those years ago. I then tackled some of my grandfather’s old music—and immediately I was transported back to my grandparents’ lounge room when I used to stumble through these same songs for hours on end, on the same old piano now in our own lounge.
Yet, while all this music was familiar to me, I found myself playing it in a fresh and different way. It was as if I was approaching each piece with more maturity, even though my playing is now quite rusty. And, to my surprise, I began to appreciate little nuances in those phrases and chords I doubt I noticed in previous years. I stumbled often, but the whole experience turned out to be so enjoyable and fulfilling all over again on a different level.
Later that week, wondering what I should read next, I browsed through some favourites on my bookshelves. There were those old Elizabeth Goudge novels I could lose myself in all over again—and, nearby, a whole shelf of Kate Morton and Maeve Binchy and Rosemary Pilcher novels that also beckoned me. But then I saw, tucked away, the very first of Jan Karon’s Mitford Series. Just the sort of pleasant, lighter novel I was looking for, I decided. I had forgotten the quaint village setting and the charming characters it contains and I am looking forward to enjoying them once again.
But in these few days before Christmas, I am also looking forward to reflecting on another familiar but much more important story all over again— the story of the Christ Child born in Bethlehem, of Joseph and Mary, of the angels, the shepherds and the wise men, as told by Luke. Each year, I re-read this story with awe and wonder. And, each year, I am blown away, not only with fresh insights, but with the very fact that God became man and chose to live among us.
So this Christmas, may you too find time to reflect on that well-known Christmas story, see it with fresh eyes and experience the love of God in your heart all over again–and at an even deeper and more wonderful level.
Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11
Glad you enjoyed your musical time. I have a lot of my mother’s records which were 78s which I can still enjoy. Love that Mitford series. I can’t play an instrument but love singing and especially the carols. Have a blessed Christmas Jo-Anne.
Lovely to hear from you, Dale. Those records of your mum’s sound very precious and I’m glad you can still listen to them. Our older daughter collects records and even does some DJ-ing in the inner city here in Sydney–she enjoys music from the fifties in particular! And yes, I’m looking forward to having time to read at least that first book in the Mitford series again. God bless–and have a wonderful Christmas.
I love the old Christmas Carols Jo-Anne, they have so much Truth in them, I hope your Christmas was very full of Love and Joy as you reflected on the greatest Gift given by God to Mankind, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ…. Name above all Names.
I was very blessed this week as I read Christmas messages on Blogs, how wonderful to be able to share Christmas with our Christian Brothers and Sisters all over the World.
“Christ”ian Love and Blessings – Anne.
I meant to ask you Jo-Anne what was the Highlight of your Christmas this year?
Blessings – Anne.
Thanks for both your comments, Anne. So glad you were blessed by the various Christmas messages you read and that you enjoyed those lovely, old Christmas carols all over again.
As for the highlight of my own Christmas, I’d probably say having family here on the day and giving them gifts–always lovely to see their joy. But I also enjoyed just reading the Christmas story from Luke by myself all over again and pondering on it all–completely amazing!