Setting the tone

Permit me a bit of a diversion from the routine of interpreting literature for our times - in the strict sense of the term at least. Just as good literature has the power to stir the soul, so does good music sometimes conjure images and deep emotion.

As we prepare for the festival of Christmas, opportunities to appreciate the music of the season seem to abound. Whether one is inclined to partake in the annual participatory renditions of Georg Handel's masterpiece The Messiah, or the various orchestral and choral renditions of tratidional and not-so-traditional carols which have been composed throughout the centuries, the music of Advent and Christmas are a genre unto themselves.

Sometimes we happen upon some new renditions of the old classics which seem to awaken us once again to the simple but true beauty of this season of light. Thus was my fortune yesterday. We had just completed the celebration of a parish penitential service at one of the neighbouring churches when I noticed a poster which had been placed near the entrance of the church. A group known as Strada were to perform a concert entitled Kadou: Noels d'ici et d'ailleurs within a few hours' time. I knew nothing of them, but had heard that this was to be a concert using 'period instruments'. I departed with visions of harpsicords dancing in my head.

A few hours later, the concert began: the five members of the troupe arrived on stage donning various manner of simple dress which conjured images of the shepherds of yore and began to recount the history of the mid-winter festival which has been celebrated throughout the world for more than two centuries. The recounting of story captured the attention of the waiting crowd and the interweaving of words and music to masterfully maintain the attention of children of all ages made for an evening of true magic.

In the coming weeks, as we continue our preparations for the celebration of Christmas, may you too have the opportunity to explore the magic, music and story of the season. Return to the innocence of childhood and dare to dream of a time of miracles, peace, joy and love.