Until he died, my friend, Dr. Phil (not the television personality) recalled the first time we met. Years earlier, a few days before Christmas, our family had come to sing carols at his daughter鈥檚 door.
Phil and his wife Adeline had newly arrived in Canada. He told me he鈥檇 never forgotten the sound of our voices or how they made him feel. We knocked, his son-in-law opened the door, and we began singing. Silent Night. O Come, All Ye Faithful. Joy to the World...
I can still hear the echo of Phil鈥檚 lovely 麻豆视频 African accent as he recollected that night. 鈥淚t was a magical experience,鈥� he said. 鈥淪uddenly there you were, a group of strangers on the porch. You didn鈥檛 come to rob us, but to sing to us!鈥�
What鈥檚 more, we were singing the songs of his Christian faith. 鈥淚t was....simply...wonderful!鈥� He fumbled for adequate ways to describe that magical night. 鈥淭hose were our songs, but we were in a new land and so much was different. You made us feel very special and very welcome.鈥�
Years beyond that evening, my daughter, her husband and their six children continue the family tradition of carolling. Last December thirty-three doors opened to the sound of their music in the night. A hundred and eighteen faces peered out, perhaps expecting a canvasser or a sales person and hearing instead the bell-clear voices of children (and sometimes the unexpected sound of a violin or guitar), singing glorias. A hundred and eighteen people disturbed by Christmas and one family鈥檚 habit of sharing the joy of Jesus鈥� birth with others 鈥� for love鈥檚 sake alone.
Over a century ago, the English poet Christina Rossetti penned a poem that became a carol. Though well loved by classical choirs and musicians, it somehow evaded attachment to one or two easily recognizable tunes, and has instead ended up with several. You may recognize the words to Love Came Down at Christmas:
鈥淟ove all lovely, love divine; love was born at Christmas: star and angels gave the sign.
鈥淲orship we the Godhead, love incarnate, love divine; worship we our Jesus, but wherewith the sacred sign?
鈥淟ove shall be our token; love be yours and love be mine, love to God and to all men, love for plea and gift and sign.鈥�
Describe Christmas however you may, but love captures it best. It鈥檚 the present we all want most, the one so many feel unworthy to receive and inadequate to give. But the gift of love that Jesus brought to earth empowers his followers to go, give and live love.
During the second week of Advent 鈥� of waiting and anticipation of the celebration of Jesus鈥� birth 鈥� may you find that love knocking, and may it leave you singing.
鈥淎 new commandment I give to you, that you love one another just as I have loved you.鈥� Jesus, ...John 13:34鈥�
