Every year, my family prepares a hand bell concert and plays in my parent's front yard the Monday before Christmas.
We've just started practicing for the upcoming season. I think this will be the 6th or maybe 7th year.
It is very time consuming. Practicing takes so much time, especially in the last few weeks before Christmas, when everything is already so busy. We spend a ridiculous amount of brainpower trying to juggle schedules and find times to practice with so many busy people.
I won't lie. I have mixed feelings about bells. To me, at times it has come to symbolize in so many ways what our modern, hectic, anything-but-peaceful holidays are, and more than once I've caught myself wondering if we're missing the whole point.
And then we have the concert.
Hot chocolate and muffins are set out and waiting for our arriving family, friends, and neighbors, who are bundled up and ready to settle into lawn chairs. Everyone chats and visits until we begin.
The music is beautiful. The coordinated movements of the polished bells, glowing in the dim light, is like watching a fire flicker in and out. Some songs float sweetly and peacefully, and others are cheerful and brassy, but all are a celebration of the season.
After we play, I am always content. I'm so happy to see everyone. Mixed in with old friends and faithful family are new faces, or sometimes the faces of neighbors whose names I don't know but I see without fail when we play every year. Everyone is happy, and I feel peace.
It's then that I wonder if I'm mistaken--if in those times when I question, maybe I'm the one missing the whole point.
1 comment:
I would love to come and see it, what time and where? I think that is such a cool talent and tradition! Miss seeing you guys, give me a call sometime?
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