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MSIA Family Christmas Eve, 2010

Christmas Eve 2010 –time for the gathering at Wilshire Boulevard for the customary creative mixture of sacred, beautiful and comical which makes up the Christmas Eve Seminar. Against a heraldic backdrop of gold, green, scarlet, and royal blue, the seminar opened in style with a gorgeous trio for soprano, flute and piano, composed by David Stern who also played keyboards. Clara Beatriz Jaramillo and Claire Smith were the serene soloists.

This year, the Vahanian family hosted the seminar. It was wonderful to see the family together, healthy and radiant after some considerable health challenges with their young daughter last year. They are an inspiring demonstration of enormous courage, tenacity and loving.

We had some wonderful musical contributions – the glowing voice of Cheri Stark singing “What Child is this?”, Valerie Ojeda’s heartfelt “Care in J-R’s Eyes”, and a compelling original keyboard composition by Karen Hassett. The irrepressible Jsu Garcia then introduced the band currently known as “Joshua Hayes and the Middle-Aged Men”, and they brought the house down with a cover of U2’s “Magnificent”. The ‘middle aged men’ (although I’m not sure if they would welcome that description) included Jsu on lead vocals, Mark Samuel on drums, James Hassett on guitar, and John Morgan on bass. Despite not being male, the ever-youthful Karen Hassett also featured on keyboards, and some very classy groupies rocked out in back.

John Morton, Spiritual Director of MSIA
John Morton, Spiritual Director of MSIA

Our beloved John Morton then strolled up to the front to a hearty welcome, and was much impressed with his glass of milk and plate of cookies, and the (fake) glowing fireplace at which he warmed his hands. He then briefly tried the leather armchair and put on the Santa hat (which he proceeded to wear for the rest of the afternoon). Is it just me, or is our Traveler getting sillier? John-Roger, by the way, was sitting near the back of the room looking peaceful and beatific. It was fantastic to see him there. I sometimes wonder whether the passers-by on Wilshire Blvd ever sense his presence just feet away.

John-Roger, Founder of MSIA
John-Roger, Founder of MSIA

At the heart of John Morton’s words, for me, was the idea that when we admit that we don’t know what to do in a particular situation, it puts our gear in neutral, and from that place we can move into any gear we need- even reverse. A great example for me at that moment was a small boy playing near me in the seminar room. I watched the joy in his eyes as he played with a small rubber doll sporting an MSIA t-shirt. When one of its legs broke off, he was not the least alarmed, but rather delighted to discover that he could break off its other limbs and head as well. I realized that he wasn’t deliberately being ‘naughty’, but just exploring the world without prejudice. I love how children admit to not knowing, and are so willing to find out about life. In being present and joyful, they are powerful presences.

The talented Eric Lumiere then sang the contemplative “Star, Sword and Rose”, and a choir led by Penelope Bright gave a version of Pachelbel’s Canon. All too soon the seminar was over, and it was time for that whimsical, loveable, rambunctious bunch of Souls known as MSIA to head for the treats and coffee, and happy chats with friends. Wishing you many blessings of the season!

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