Each Monday evening since October 15 I have had the enjoyable privilege of listening to the Borealis Orchestra and Chorale practicing in the Bethlehem sanctuary. On those special Monday evenings, the beauty of the music drifts down the hallway to my office and blends with my Advent preparations as I read commentaries for the coming season.
It is hard to think of a more enjoyable way to read and reflect on Advent and Christmas. Of course, I could shut my door and put on some Christmas playlist I suppose, or listen to my favorites, but that could never supply the marvelous experience I receive on those Monday evenings.
It is something special when Bill Beckstrand gathers the whole group after the sections have rehearsed throughout the building. When they come together in the sanctuary then I hear him direct them all in the Hallelujah Chorus, or the Hodie Chant, or new works special for this year. Their combined voices are beautiful in impressive strength and harmonies.
While I read prophets Jeremiah or Isaiah and Psalms of David, I hear their voices rise into a stunning crescendo.
Often right in the middle of the music, there will be a sudden stop as the director abruptly signals for quiet, and takes the choir back to the beginning. Bill might work on a phrase or a pronunciation, and they sing again. I listen to the work, the discipline, and I imagine the passion and joy with which all those musicians apply themselves to this shared, and may I say, a sacred task.
I am inspired not only by the beauty of the sound but also by the more than apparent dedication and determination of these people who work at perfecting each note. Their spirit is quite infectious.
As I listen to them each Monday I don’t know what song will come next, for that is in the director’s plan for each rehearsal as they work toward their goals. But I do know that each part rehearsed and fine-tuned is part of the whole we all will receive on Sunday, December 9 and Monday, December 10 at 7 p.m. when the annual Christmas concerts will be performed.
Bill, orchestra and chorale members practice over and over for that moment on Sunday and Monday when Bill gives the signal and the themes of Annunciation, Incarnation, Redemption and Grace enfold us all in rich blessing.
For me, these rehearsals are symbolic of so much more than the significant act of preparing for the concert, as marvelous as it shall be. To me, in the midst of Advent reflections, they represent the fullness of anticipation and realization.
For the Christian Church in the season of Advent, we read Holy Scripture that tells us not only of the anticipation of the birth of Christ child in Bethlehem, but also the hope of Christ moving and healing the world to come. And more than either of that, the Scripture proclaims assurance of the mysterious presence of Christ who abides with us now.
Each of these biblical passages invites the reader to participate in and experience the hope and promise they describe. Advent holds this excitement of what God has yet to reveal while reveling in what God has already done. And so more than 100 of our Cook County neighbors will gather for one more rehearsal as they work out the final details of the message they will perform and sing, and I will relish the time.
I can tell from listening to them and watching them after each Monday evening this fall, that the final concert, which the rest of us will enjoy, is not the full measure of their experience. For in their work already they have all been participating in the blessings of God. The preparing, the anticipation, the hope are rich blessings in themselves. Similarly, for me, Advent reflection and prayer is rehearsal rich and wonderful. Christmas is too.
But I love the rehearsal, I love Advent. And now I anticipate the marvelous concert so lovingly and faithfully prepared. Join me, and come early, you wouldn’t want to miss the Borealis, December 9th and 10th.
Each month a member of the Cook County Ministerium will offer Spiritual Reflections. This month our contributor is Reverend Mark Ditmanson of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Grand Marais.
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