I heard the bells on Christmas Day...actually, 'twas the Third Sunday in Advent, but who's keeping track. Earlier that morning, the angelic host had proclaimed "Gloooo-ria in Excelsis Deo". Well, perhaps they were more energetic than angelic...Either way, a joyful noise was made.
Maybe even a little "yee-ha" before the shepherds arrived to tell the good news...
..and we dismissed to breakfast pizzas for the kids and Snickers and Butterfingers for everyone else.
There may not be snow on Christmas. Juggling the permutations of our big family means we may not open packages on Christmas. We may not always be together on Christmas. But there should always be music on Christmas. Joyful, exuberant, waiting-for-this-all-year music.
This year there is snow...perfect cold crisp snow...an unsullied expanse for kids and puppies to destroy....
And the rest of the family is nearby the fire; there are packages stacked haphazardly like the aftermath of an avalanche and shoes and boots thawing under the radiator. The food that won't fit in the refrigerator is stored the old fashioned way: on the frozen back porch. My Granny used to store her Christmas cookies in cookie tins and coffee cans on her back porch; one family friend used to come in that back way, eat himself full of cookies, and then go around the front to knock on the door for a visit!
"Their old familiar carols play.
And loud and deep, the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men..."
Out of nowhere, out of imagination and energy and the Spirit of Christmas and the sweetness of grandchildren toward grandparents, Aaron and Lizzie, Gabe and Abbie, Josh and Levi, have concocted the Redbarn Christmas concert this Christmas Eve (produced by the kids, with help from the adults says one sign)...
...Produced by the kids (with help from the Moms)
For the adults (but mostly for Grandma)...
says the sign affixed to an empty wrapping paper roll and waved about like a heraldic flag by Joshua.
And in case we don't get the message, Levi is announcing the concert in stentorian tones , with a death grip on Lizzie's karaoke mike. You can run, but you cannot hide....
Last Christmas, my mom and dad were up here in Tarkio for the first time in many years. This year we remember my mom's Christmas birthday with a bouquet of flowers. Two years ago, the great grandkids listened to their grandpa play in a Christmas concert down at the Lake of the Ozarks; they marveled at the bass clarinet and tried spreading their fingers over the keys of his clarinet.
This Christmas, they decide celebrate his decades of music the very best way: by singing and playing together unselfconsciously, generously, filling the rooms of our house with big sound and big singing and being rewarded with hearty applause and proud smiles from everyone in the audience.
Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
How I wish my folks could hear their great-grandchildren's songs this Christmas. Their hearts would have been touched: I can hear my dad say, "Yeah!"with an approving smile and see my mom grin with delight. 
For everyone who is celebrating this Christmas with an empty place in their heart, there is cheer in unexpected gifts like this spontaneous concert, a grace note, a hug from your Father, a reminder that He understands our hearts better than we....
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!"
May we all be granted the eyes to see and ears to hear the blessings that are around us.
May we be granted wisdom to give thanks for them.
Let the love of your Savior and Friend be your comfort
And His words your blessing...
Christmas Blessings for this day and days to come....
God Bless the Music Makers...for they shall bring Joy!
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