Advent

I love Advent. I just love the way it FEELS. There always seems to be a renewed energy in church when Advent comes along, after the 793rd Sunday in Pentecost. People are warmer towards one another, smiles are broader, more genuine. And the music... Last night was our annual Advent Lessons and Carols service, which is one of my highlights every year. The service alternates between readings, Advent carols sung by the choir and congregational hymns. And every hymn is a favourite - "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," "There's a Voice in the Wilderness," "Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending," Hark, A Herald Voice is Sounding," "On Jordan's Bank," and so on. Between the regular morning service and the Lessons and Carols in the evening, it's a busy day for WH, and as new Choir Librarian, for me too. There's a lot of rushing around thrusting pieces of musical paper at people. After the service we all troupe downstairs for the traditional Advent potluck supper, complete with mulled wine. Mmmmm... mulled wine. I managed to throw together a potato casserole THING yesterday afternoon between the Sunday service and choir rehearsal, so I was able to enjoy the potluck guilt-free (which doesn't always happen).

By some miracle, WH and I will be finished our Christmas concert season by next Sunday, so we're in to the last stretch of craziness this week. Four hours of rehearsal tonight, a Christmas Pops concert with the local orchestra tomorrow night, regular church choir rehearsal on Thursday night, dress rehearsal on Saturday morning for two runs at the Vivaldi Gloria on Sunday afternoon and evening! And then everything is fairly peaceful, with the exception of the usual Church Advent and Christmas commitments, up until New Year's Eve, when WH is singing a concert. We have offered to host the post-concert party (and New Years count-down) on that evening, so I'm busy thinking about what deliciousness we might serve. Mmmmmm... mulled wine.