It is hard to describe an MSIA Christmas Eve celebration. It is not a Mass with its sacred and beautiful ritual or a traditional nativity based sermon. An MSIA Christmas Eve with the Traveler is a new take on ancient sacredness. As we learned on that hallowed night the new sacredness can be based on cherished themes — Christmas Carols.
John Morton’s calming voice brought us present after a hectic Christmas season. He recited the words of the Christmas songs we remember from our youth. Once a year we sing them, hear them on the radio and in churches. John’s simple but poignant commentary brought home the latent meaning of the songs we thought we knew. What beautiful words they are when listened to in their original context.
Hidden deep within the seldom sung second and third verses lay hidden treasure for those with ears to hear. Words like, “And the whole world sends back the song which now the Angels sing,” “Light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in his wings.” “Cast out our sin and enter in, be born to us this day,” “The dawn of redeeming grace.” John pointed out to us the profound messages hidden in the lyrics of Christmas Carols. He had help doing it from a supporting cast of players. Several performances punctuated the holiness (and playfulness) of the evening and the Christmas season.
Our MC’s this year were the Kelber family: Jeff, Maria Teresa and Max. They introduced the Spirit of Christmas in several languages with Max taking the spotlight. Next they introduced sisters Monica and Aura Maria Chavez who demonstrated the sacredness of popular Colombian Christmas Carols. They were followed by the MSIA kids group “HUGS” who sang the bi-lingual tune Feliz Navidad. I mean how cute was that?
John-Roger’s presence was with us in the back of the Brentwood Ballroom as well as in the form of video taped excerpts from Christmas past including the wonderful idea of Christmas in July! Nathaniel Sharratt proved that he has not lost a beat singing one of his now classic tunes with vocal back up from Brad Pie in the back of the room at the sound equipment, mixing the music and singing at the same time.
Tamsin Rothschild delivered what may be the most original offering that we have had at an MSIA Christmas Eve. She interpreted the story of Mary upon learning of her sacred duty of birthing the baby Jesus. Her poise and delivery were stunning. It was a hard act to follow but Jsu Garcia was up to the task with back up from James and Karen Hassett.
They were followed by an instrumental piece of harp and flute performed by Marjorie Eaton, Estelle Day and Claire Smith. The harps and flute ushered in John Morton and the seminar of the Christmas Carols which still resonates in my head on Christmas morning as I write this. John made it clear that the Traveler’s message comes in many forms and Christmas Carols are one way of transmitting and remembering that message.
The evening was brought to a close by the Chavez sisters who sang more Spanish Christmas songs with a Latin beat. The evening ended all too soon with Gabe Morgan reminding us of the humor in Christmas with “Run, Run Rudolph” backed up by his dad John Morgan on the guitar. That night visions of Christmas Carols danced in my head.
