The Miracle of Christmas

A morning worship service in December consisted almost entirely of a pageant and choral singing by children who had practiced regularly after school since September.  It was a special blessing to us because three of our grandchildren were part of the choir.  Their program caused me to think that we should celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ every day of the year, with Christmas being one great celebration of Jesus’ birth, to include beautiful singing and pageantry like we were experiencing that morning.

The pageant made us aware that there are many that celebrate every possible occasion throughout the year, such as Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Canada Day and their home team’s big winning game of the season.  To them, Christmas means holidays, parties, decorations, bonuses and presents.  Their celebrations don’t include carol singing and going to church, but instead, they centre on festivities, gifts and decorations.

A pageant with enthusiastic singing promotes the Spirit of Christmas, and it was wonderful to see how well the children learned the words to so many songs and sang them so well.  The director too, was appreciated for her devotion and interaction.

“The In-betweeners,” a group of young at heart seniors from our church, organized a trip to Warm Beach, Washington, to view an extravagant display of Christmas lighting.  There were huge scenes of ice-capped mountains.  Swans and angels, were reflected in a pond.  The tallest cherry-pickers possible had been used to set lights and ornaments on the statuesque coniferous trees.  Not another location in the United States has as many lights as this park.  There are millions!

Following our walking tour the dinner was superb and then the theatre afterwards was most enjoyable.  The setting for the play was a country home and their entertainment was in portraying the story of Jesus’ birth.  Mary was played by a corpulent farmer, which made the play humorous and enlightening.  Instruments played were the spoons, a washboard, the violin and guitar.  Their singing was extraordinarily beautiful.

In December, “The Fellowship Singers” choir of which I am a part presented a program of Christmas music to the seniors in Westminster House, and again on a Sunday evening at church.  From Vancouver, The Welsh Men’s Choir, along with a Senior High School choir presented an outstanding evening of singing.  Afterwards, those of us from our small community who attended were invited to a lady’s home for wonderfully prepared party food.

Our home is decorated for Christmas, with new LED lights along the gables, and a Noble Fir in the living room, ornamented with the same delightful ornaments used in our family for many years.  Our daughter and her family are expected for a pre-Christmas dinner and games.

A potluck dinner in the home of our bible study leaders is planned for a week before Christmas, with approximately twenty people, and our small neighborhood community will be having a luncheon for thirty.

As a family event, we attended a play called “Robinson Crusoe,” in White Rock’s Playhouse Theatre.  It had no relation to Christmas other than that it was colorful and its talented participants were dedicated to its presentation.

Another highlight in this season’s entertainment will be our trip into Vancouver to enjoy a musical concert by Denzal Sinclair, a notable jazz singer who we first met at McGill University in Montreal when he performed in his graduating year.  This evening of entertainment is a Christmas gift to us from our daughter and son-in-law.

We will attend the Christmas Eve service at our church.  Then, we will have a family gathering at our daughter and son-in-law’s home.  Christmas day will be celebrated as a family time enjoying a turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

In keeping with Christmas celebrations, The Langley Legion Pipe Band to which I belong, is planning a concert in Surrey on New Year’s day.  Harmony was assigned to me and it’s a challenge.

With so many special events that surround the celebration of Christ’s birth, we will not lose sight of this great event as the most fantastic one in the entire history of mankind.  It was the fulfillment of a plan by God, to relate to every one of us personally.  Jesus, God’s own Son, came as a tiny baby.  In humility, He was born in a barn.  When He became a man, He gave His life as payment for our sinfulness, to enable us to have a relationship with God.  Jesus arose to live again, giving more evidence of God’s unfathomable love.  We will not let the trappings of the world cause us to take our eyes off the Savior

Playing in the Rain

Wouldn't it be lovely if every piping engagement was either inside a big acoustically perfect auditorium or outside on a warm sunny day, and we wouldn't have to consider what we’d do if it rained?  To be invited to play for a memorial service outside in November in Canada brings definite thoughts about what to do if it rains or if the weather is expected to be so cold that the fingers won’t manipulate properly on the pipe chanter.  One must also consider the possibility of endangering the pipes to cracking, thus ruining them because of the differential of temperatures, inside and outside the pipes.

Those were precisely the considerations for the day I was scheduled to play for a graveside service on November the 30th and the prediction was for heavy rain.  Preparations were made nevertheless, because the weather can change every half-hour in White Rock, and with fervent prayer, God might be compassionate and eliminate the rain.

Much praying was done in the two weeks beforehand and on that morning, my full piper’s outfit was protected with a clear plastic raincoat with a hood.  The pipes were tuned at the cemetery shortly beforehand and there was time for a walk-through on the path that would lead the family to the graveside of their two deceased brothers.  A small amount of rain was falling when everyone was paraded to the location.  “O Rowan Tree” was the selection.  The service went smoothly, with a sister reading the 23rd Psalm.  Her brother presented eulogies and a prayer. “Amazing Grace” was played and soon everyone was led back to the road with, “When They Ring Those Golden Bells.”  The final hymn, “Safe in the Arms of Jesus,” was long enough to end the service nicely, yet not so long that it would retain everyone in the cold, damp air.

We thank God for allowing the rain to subside long enough for the service to go well, and that the pipes could be an integral part of this family’s precious moments.

Cold weather and rain are elements that make piping difficult, and certain standards have to be set by pipers regarding their ability to say, “No,” for outside services if there is an expectation of inclement weather.  Definitely, pouring rain and temperatures near freezing are not conducive to good piping.  A cold, wet chanter is difficult to play because the fingers slip and cannot cover the holes properly.  The sound will be embarrassingly affected.  If one finds himself or herself in that situation, it is well to have a dry towel handy, to wipe the chanter dry, and it is also well to have kept the hands under one’s armpits to keep the fingers warm.  A fine set of bagpipes can be ruined by severely cold weather.  It is wise not to consider playing outside when the temperature is too uncomfortable to do so.  It’s best for the piper and his pipes.

In general, one is wise not to accept engagements to play outside in cold or rainy weather.  If the pipes must be heard at the graveside and the weather conditions are not suitable for piping, then a recording of the hymns should be played instead.

Thanksgiving in Connecticut

They were long flights between Vancouver BC and Hartford CT, and three hours difference in time requires several days to readjust, going either way, but it’s all well worth the effort.  Our experiences on this Thanksgiving holiday were wonderful.

A good maneuver was to leave home in White Rock about four in the afternoon.  It became our driver’s concern to get us safely to Vancouver over a busy highway, one that turned dark and dazzling in the rain.  After three-quarters of an hour we arrived at the hotel where we would stay overnight.  It was convenient to be close to the airport when having to leave so early.  Our plane was scheduled to take off at 8:20 AM, which meant arising at five.  Considerable snow had fallen during the night, and the plane needed to be de-iced.  We were an hour late taking off.  Transferring in Chicago was convenient.  Our son and grandchildren welcomed us at the Hartford airport after our day of flying,

Thanksgiving was celebrated by having dinner with our son, daughter-in-law and two grandkids, along with the other grandparents, their other daughter and her husband and their two children.  Everyone enjoyed the occasion, especially the delicious turkey with its cranberry sauce, accessories and pumpkin pie.

Our week was delightful, a highlight being an afternoon in Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts.   Houses and businesses dating to the 1700’s had been relocated on this picturesque property.  One could imagine having stepped back in time, to watch the shoemaker, tinsmith, blacksmith and citizens of the town occupied with their various tasks.  The weather was cooperative, making the stroll between buildings quite easy.

Each day was highlighted by something special.  For example, there was the two-mile walk, with many other people through Willimantic.  It was an interfaith project to underwrite the cost of winter heating for poor people in the area.  Our daughter-in-law baked a number of pumpkin pies, which were sold to help the cause.  On Sunday morning, we attended our son’s church.  A country pizza restaurant was a great place for informal family dining.

Our four-year-old grandson demonstrated his bicycling ability without the help of training wheels.  He delighted in speeding, stopping quickly and wearing out the tire.  While he continued his wipeouts, his two-year old sister loved to ride in her stroller.

One can imagine the commitment of parents who have children ages two and four.  They were so happy to be given an evening to forget about kids and enjoy a movie, and afterwards, hear that their kids went to bed easily, and were resting for the next day.

This dad usually fixes a few things and this time he remounted the key and letter holder on the wall, the coat hanging board too, which had just fallen, and the weather strip at the bottom of the mudroom door.  There’s satisfaction in repairing things.

All in all, it was a great week visiting, interacting with our grandchildren and fixing things.  We look forward to another worthwhile visit in the summer.  As for anticipating their visit, we’ll have to wait until the kids are a couple of years older.  Such a long trip would be extremely tiring for them and taxing for their parents.  It is important to maintain a place in the lives of our grandchildren so they will know and love us.  Our closeness will continue with phone conversations.  Fond memories of a great week of Thanksgiving in Connecticut will be long-lasting.