December . . .

Started beautifully, yet with a hole in the heart that still rests close to the surface. But alas, I started December immersed in the Gospel presented in Handel's "Messiah".  Below is the text of one of my favorite movements from Messiah. Listen to the recording (link below), stick with it to hear the beautiful contrast between the alto and soprano voices (ignore the unimaginable dresses worn in the orchestra (-:). I have always been transfixed by the peace, beauty and simplicity of the music of this one, believe it or not, I have not been historically listening very closely to all the text (we're on stage for over three hours in this!)...but WOW...this speaks so PERFECTLY to my December needs this year AND it's beautiful musically!

He Shall Feed His Flock - Handel's "Messiah"

He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; and He shall gather the lambs With His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:11)
Come unto Him, all ye that labour, come unto Him that are heavy laden, and He will give you rest. Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him, for He Is meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
(Matthew 11:28-29)

Find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTCUC0wBkR0

 While I was Messiah-ing, Harrison was Boar's Heading.

I was able to see the dress rehearsal.

His first go at anything like this. Final word, "I think I might do that again next year."

(-:

 Also that weekend, "my" choir...the one I conduct, who's average age is 96 years old...I'm not kidding, (Carl from the tenor section is 100 and upped our average), was invited to sing at a local universities' Christmas festival. They loved it, I loved it and then I walked around and looked at beautiful things like pictured above. (-:

 December also saw Livia getting a bedroom to herself for the first time in her eight years. She has most definitely made it her own, with her little touches...and legos...everywhere.

(-:

December had this cool kid and his basketball team, (who's team name is so professionally smeared out by his tech cautious mom, oy!) winning 1st place in a tournament!

 Then, one night, while our school was refusing to post a snow day the next day, we took a gamble and stayed up a bit past bedtime and played a couple rounds of Cross Eyes. Fun, fast game.

 And then, whew, the next day was a snow day.

Yay!

 Nearing the end now, we enjoyed the annual school Christmas Program on a lovely Sunday afternoon.  Before we left I managed to get a couple of sweet pictures. 

 I'll have you know, William tied his own tie.

He googled it.

These two.

💝