Grab a cup of coffee from the office pot, still fresh at this time of the morning. I've only a few minutes, as this is my last day before a two week vacation; there is much to do today.
Just a week until Christmas. The last few weeks have been full of decidedly non-Christmasy things; I'm looking forward to using the first few days of vacation to refocus.
On Sunday, a friend and I are going to hear Handel's Messiah at the Basilica. I've deliberately not listened to it yet this season, in order to relish hearing it for the first time live. Our symphony and chorus are outstanding. What better way to refocus on the reason for Christmas, than listening God being glorified?
Handel took the words for the Hallelujah Chorus from the book of Revelation, looking forward to that time when God's peace will reign in the new earth and heaven, and the choir of saints will raise their voices together in praise to Him:
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,
"Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready.
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever."
Revelation 19:6 - 7 and 11:15
May the Prince of Peace reign in your heart at Christmas, and all year long.
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