As I arranged the hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” to include original piano with the familiar, haunting melody, this piece became the full expression of the darkness of this world, the longing of the human heart for a savior, and the rejoicing that comes when the good news is embraced.  Isaiah foretold his birth (Isaiah 7:14).  Luke recorded how the angel came down to the shepherds in the field the night of his birth (Luke 2:8-15).  John wrote the last words he spoke before his death on the cross (“It is finished” – John 19:30). The opening and closing three muted strikes of a low E on the piano represent the nails going into the cross, the finished work.  The music in between represents my desperate need of a savior and the rejoicing in God’s gift of salvation to me through Jesus.

Today I had the opportunity to record several selections from “December Peace” on a 1938 Steinway grand piano in Chicago as part of interview with Moody Radio. The song “Shepherds and Stars” was inspired by Luke 2:8-15. I shared how this piece reminds me that we are all like “shepherds in the field” going about our daily lives, much like the shepherds in the story. Just as an angel came down to announce that a Savior had been born to them, God wants to engage with us in life each day, to meet us in our circumstances, to give us a hope that He offers through this Savior that was born for us.

Last night I got to watch and listen to a wonderful Christmas music performance by students from kindergarten to eighth grade. This helped me remember to smile during the stressful holiday season. The kindergarten students ringing their various colored bells on queue made me smile. The 4th graders playing their recorders and surprising us with their kazoos made me smile. The middle school band playing “Joy to the World” made me smile. Tonight I am playing my keyboard for the first time at a large church Christmas tree sale. I think I am going to smile if a chain saw cranks up during “Silent Night.”  🙂