Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:6-7



Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Sing we all of the Savior's Birth

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Last night we attended the choir concert of my second son, Joshua. This is his second year in choir at his school, our diocesan all-boys prep school. Unlike most high schools, choir at S.C. is a class, not an extra curricular. I don't know if that makes it better or worse, just different. I do think that when you are being graded on your effort, you try a little harder. This is Joshua's senior year and last Christmas concert at S.C. (I do hope he'll continue with a men's glee club in college) and his choir director asked him if he would like a solo part. Joshua did not reveal to me that he had a solo part until last week. Partly because he knew I would stress it and partly because he just didn't want to make a big deal out of it. He said it was "just a couple seconds."

Well, he did a fabulous job and he shocked the pants off his dad and I (and a couple of faculty members who attended). This is a kid who generally doesn't open his mouth much, much less to sing. Such a surprise, a glorious surprise. Based on some developmental issues he had when he was young,  we wondered if this boy would go to school, much less this very challenging school, much less do so very well -- never doubt that God can work miracles. Never, never, never.

I apologize in advance for the quality of this video -- it's just awful (Noah was sitting next to me crumpling his program through half of it!), but I wanted to share such a big moment for us. I have posted the words to the hymn as they sang it below. It's beautiful. When there is only one singer -- that's Joshua!







He is born, the holy child.
Play on the oboe and bagpipes merrily.
He is born, the holy child.
Sing we all of the Saviour's birth

Through long ages of the past,
Prophets have foretold his coming;
Through long ages of the past,
Now the time has come at last. Chorus

Jesus, Lord of all the world,
Coming as a child among us,
Jesus, Lord of all the world,
Grant to us Thy heav'nly peace.  Chorus

15 comments:

  1. He has a beautiful voice and he did a very nice job. Singing is so much more difficult than playing an instrument; it's one of the hardest things you can do! You must have had a tear in your eye!

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  2. Thank you, Sara. He is not very open about sharing his voice with us, so I actually had no idea what his solo would be like. What a beautiful surprise. This choir has been a very, very positive experience.

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  3. Lovely, Barbara. What a beautiful voice. You and your husband must be proud.
    Have a blessed Advent and Christmas seasons.

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  4. Bravo! Well done, Joshua!

    Did you have goosebumps, Mom?

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  5. PS. Was that you I heard hissing at the program-crumpler?

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  6. Thank you, Jennie, and Gai.

    Margaret,
    I think you heard Noah whisper "that's Joshie" but it may have been possible to hear the sparks coming from my eyes when he crumpled the program the first time.

    I admit that I was too nervous last night to get goosebumps or tears in my eyes, but I have dozens of times since. ;-)

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  7. Wonderful! Congratulations to your Joshua! :))

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  8. Wonderful! I have sung in choirs all my life, and it is much harder than anyone thinks (and it did make a difference to me when I was being graded on it! ;). His solo was beautiful - he has such a nice tone to his voice!

    Wow - you know this is what I hope for with Fiver some day. Nothing is impossible with God.

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  9. Thank you for sharing Joshua's beautiful solo with us!!
    You must be so proud.

    blessings to you!

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  10. Thank you, Cheryl.

    Aimee,
    You got it.

    Lori,
    I am very proud. And still shocked! ;-)

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  11. WOW!!!!! I love singing, and I love listening to carols well-done. Your son did an amazing job on his solo--and the chorus did wonderfully as well.

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  12. Barbara, I'm hosting the carnival of homeschooling this week with a 12 days theme and this post would be perfect. Could I add it in??

    Katherine

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  13. I would be happy for you to, Kat.

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  14. Beautiful! There is something wonderful about choirs like this. Their sound is just soulful, ya know? He did a great job on his solo and the entire choir did wonderful!!!!

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I appreciate your comments -- sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself!