This evening, I had the distinct pleasure of attending a Christmas Canata, performed by the Christ Evangelical Free Church in Lehighton, Pennsylvania. At the beginning of December, a co-worker of mine gave me a beautiful postcard invitation to the performance. She encouraged me, saying that she truly believed I would enjoy it. I immediately put it in my calendar, promising that as long as nothing family related came up, I would be there. I am so incredibly glad my calendar remained clear!
The title of the Christmas Cantata was Bethlehem Morning. It was created by Russell Mauldin, Sue C. Smith and arranged and orchestrated by Russell Mauldin. The story within the singing took a look at what it must have been like on that first Christmas morning. As I have stated numerous times, this particular Christmas is exciting to me. I am eagerly awaiting Christmas Eve services at my church and the announcement of the birth of the Christ Child! I can't ever remember this feeling. I am almost 100% sure it is because of my renewed sense of faith in Christ Jesus. I have come to see things a lot differently since I walked back into my church a few months ago (this time for good).
We started out the evening singing two beloved Christmas hymns (The First Noel and O Little Town of Bethlehem), which seemed to really uplift my already soaring spirits for the Christmas holiday. Afterwards, the performers took the stage and the magnificent performance of the cantata began. It wasn't until the 3rd number, the Bethlehem Manger Medley, that the waterworks appeared in my eyes. In singing their version of O Little Town of Bethlehem, there was a brief period in the song where they sang the lines: I come to the manger, I come in surrender. This is where my life begins. This is where my life begins. You pour out Your mercy, You shine in Your glory. When I come, when I come to Bethlehem. I couldn't help but be moved by those lines. I instantly felt as though it was being sung directly to me...to my heart.
I came home from the cantata and immediately found the song (not performed by the cantata tonight, but a professional recording of it) on YouTube. Listening to it again, brought me to tears all over again. I'm still moved as I sit here listening to it and writing this blog tonight.
At the conclusion of the cantata, the minister of the
congregation (forgive me, I didn't catch his name), gave a wonderful devotional
about how Christ has to be born IN each of us in order for us to fully come to
His saving grace. He spoke so passionately about the idea of Christ being born
for us, but having to be born IN us, I was truly moved. It was just what I
needed to start my Christmas week. I needed those words uttered by a man I have
never met but somehow managed to speak directly to me this evening.
I like to think that through my whole Think Thankfully journey, my relationship with my Lord and Savior has grown stronger. I no longer wake up on a Sunday and think of reasons why I don't want to go to church, but rather I eagerly get ready for Sunday Services. I smile on the walk up the block to my church, ready to greet those who join me in worship. Our congregation is small in number, but large in heart. There is a genuine feeling of affection among the members of our tiny church family. I feel at peace. I feel at home.
I come to the manger. I come to surrender. This is where my life begins.
Until tomorrow, my friends.....my Christmas wish for you on this night is that if you are struggling with your faith, feeling a bit discombobulated over the whole thing, you will look up, see the star, and remember how silently the wondrous gift was given to us on that first Bethlehem morning.
Think Thankfully!!!!
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