So much comes together in December. Holidays we celebrate mandate bringing light to our house and to our spirit because it is such a dark time. Advent gives us a sense that something wonderful is coming. What our monthly theme of “Presence” means to me is that we include ourselves, which means that we bring light to those we are with. Being present is connecting with others by showing up, by sharing our beliefs—be they in agreement or not, and by looking each other in the eye. When we are aware of our own self-worth, we are better available to be in community with each other.
Presence is what happens in a musical ensemble. Take our First Parish choir. Being in the choir means you show up to rehearsals. You don’t have to be perfect but you do your best, which actually IS perfect. Singers listen and adjust to the needs of the group. Each choir singer knows that their individual voice makes all the difference in the sound of the group. And the light I see in each of their eyes as we sing at a church service speaks to their engagement and presence.
On Christmas eve, the First Parish choir will be singing “Carol of the Bells” and from Handel’s Messiah, “And the Glory of the Lord.”
I wish you much gratitude for yourselves and for our community as we all enjoy the holidays!
Charlyn Bethell
Charlyn’s professional training has followed two paths: as a professional oboist and as a music teacher and conductor. As Music Director at First Parish, she joins these two paths of her musical life, conducting the choir, coordinating guest musicians, and performing on oboe.