The Feast of Christ the King, the final Sunday in our liturgical year, reminds us of our need to keep Christ at the centre of our lives. With Christmas lights popping up on every corner, it would seem easy to remember that Advent is approaching and that we need to prepare for Christ’s coming by bringing his light into this darkened world; however, the season is also rife with distraction.
While I try very hard to maintain an “Advent attitude” of restraint and waiting, the excitement of Christmas music, baking, and décor push my mind ahead to the celebration of Christmas. I am sure I am not alone.
As a musician, it is impossible to avoid Christmas music during Advent and Ordinary Time. To learn music in time for Christmas, rehearsals can begin as early as August. For my school choir, I finalized my Christmas selections in September and prepared myself to begin working with the children.
On Sept. 24, a text message resulted in a slight change to my careful planning. I was asked if I would consider bringing my choir to sing at the North Delta Remembrance Day service on Nov. 11.
The City of North Delta was preparing for its 15th Remembrance Day service and for the first time wanted to add a choir. The planning committee was reaching out to groups from different churches in the community in the spirit of inclusivity. We were asked to sing the national anthem, God Save the Queen, and one selection of our choice.
Although I needed the time to work on Christmas music, I chatted with my principal about the invitation and we decided to jump at the opportunity. For my personal selection, I chose We Are One by Mary Donnelly and George L. O. Strid, using creative license to change the words in the refrain from, “we are the family of man” to “we are the family of God.”
I’ve been told that my word change caused some deliberation amongst the planning committee members. Then, after discussing the fact that we sing of God in both O Canada and God Save the Queen, it was agreed that, for an ecumenical service, our words were perfect.
In beautiful two-part harmony, the children sang out, “We are one. We are a part of one big family. Yes, we are one. We are the family of God. And I pray one day that we may live together in peace throughout the land. We are one!”
Jim Short, the Delta police and fire departments chaplain who presided over the service, quoted from the Prophet Isaiah, stating that Christians, Jews and Muslims are linked by the words, “they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Is 2: 4).
We are indeed “one” in the family of God. Regardless of race or creed, peace is a universal goal.
I may have delayed my Christmas music preparations to work on a song for Remembrance Day, however I will now include it in our Christmas repertoire. My students love the song and still ask to sing it. It may not be a song about angels and a baby born in a stall, nor does it refer to twinkling lights, snow, or even a man in a red suit; yet, it reminds us of the reason for Christmas in the first place.
Christ came to put an end to war, as described by Isaiah. He came to bring hope and light to a suffering world. “We are one” reminds us that we are still living in Advent times, waiting for his return, and praying that “one day” people will live in peace. In a significant way, the children in my choir shared this message within our broader community.
“Peace on Earth” is the focus of Remembrance Day; it is likewise the true meaning of Christmas. Postponing my Christmas music did not really hold us back in our preparations; in effect, it provided ample opportunity to prepare our hearts for the season.
Christ is King and Lord of all. We should put nothing ahead of him, as we anticipate his second coming.
