When the familiar comes to life again

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

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