Christmas Eve

Beautiful. Peaceful. Filled with light.

For several years, I have played for two services at Centenary United Methodist Church on Christmas Eve. It's become a part of my own tradition and it wouldn't feel like Christmas without playing there.

2:00 p.m. Service of Remembrance
I am so honored to play for this service
as people grieve the losses of their loved ones.
I hope that the soothing sounds of the harp help
in some small way to bring them peace.

11:00 p.m. Service of Lessons and Carols
Organ. Guitar. Harp.
A church full of people singing.
Holding hands.
Candlelight.

I love watching the congregation light candles as I'm playing Silent Night. However, every year I forget to tell the ushers not to turn the lights ALL the way off during the candle lighting...and only remember when the I'm in the middle of the first verse of the song and the church goes completely dark. I've played Silent Night so many times, I can almost do it by feel now. Almost. The second half of that first verse was improvised as my eyes adjusted, but nobody seemed to mind.

It was -7 (yes, 7 below zero) and windy when it was time to pack up the harp and leave. But I had plenty of good help. I drove home through a quiet, snow-covered town watching the smoke rise from the chimneys, the Christmas lights glow through the windows, the wind rush sparkling snowflakes up into playful swirls in front of the car.

Feeling grateful for a full and merry season of playing.

Feeling blessed.