Gratitude & Peace

Gratitude… I’m filled with it, for my family, my chosen family, my friends, my colleagues and for those whom I serve.

I am an optimistic and reflective person, somewhat introspective and very philosophical. I’m also pretty self-aware. So these are thoughts for this Christmas of 2015.

Being part of a very positive company, as well as,, working with performers for an entertainment company is great. I do my best to put a dent in the universe and I choose to be a positive force for good in the world.

In preparation for our SCT show, at our final choir rehearsal, I quoted a passage from a book by Rob Bell: “We are both large and small, strong and weak, formidable and faint, reflecting the image of the divine, and formed from dust.” For me, it helps put things into perspective. We are all connected. We all need one another. The minute we think we are the center of the universe, that’s the moment we realize we are but a small part of a massive puzzle.

Even though “it’s the most wonderful time of the year”, for many, Christmastime can be a struggle. The reality is many of us are hurting. The circumstances could be great or small. There is fear in the world. Some people even use threats as a business model. There is anxiety caused by a multitude of conditions. Some of my close friends deal with great sadness of loved ones gone.

RHP_7230At the Edmonton Singing Christmas Tree show, I sang a duet with my good friend John Cameron entitled “Peace”. Here are some of the lyrics (written by Michael McDonald):

I have come from so far away / Down the road of my own mistakes / In the hope you could hear me pray / Oh Lord, keep me in Your reach

How I’ve longed through these wasted years / To outrun all the pain and fear / Turned to stone from my uncried tears / And now it’s Your grace I seek

Oh wondrous child of whom the Angels sing / Know my joy, feel my suffering / Shining star make this love you bring / So bright that I may believe

We sang this song for us, and for those whom this season reminds them of pain. It’s too easy to offer platitudes that fall short of comforting the soul. The more we try to be candid with our pain, the harder it is to fake “having it all together”. Maybe we should try to allow for those dark nights, so as, to reach deeper truths. One of those truths I’m trying to live into is; we are all connected…

I’d encourage all of us to take time to look at the one you’re speaking with in the eye. Slow down and listen. Ask questions. Be curious. Be interested, rather than interesting. Use their name with affection in your tone. Make them feel important.

Here’s a worthy motto: Experience God’s love, then give it away. You may be what keeps them sane. Your love and affection could be the difference in their day. How do we love God? By loving others (Matthew 22:35-40).

I am filled with gratitude… for the beauty of connectedness.

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Music Review: Dig That Crazy Christmas: The Brian Setzer Orchestra

dig-that-crazy-christmasChristmas music in August?! I know it is summer, but I’ve been listening to Christmas music since April, in preparation for this year’s Edmonton Singing Christmas Tree. “Dig That Crazy Christmas” by The Brian Setzer Orchestra, was one of the many albums (why do we still call them that?) that I listened to in selecting music for this year’s show. Setzer and his ruckus band, roar and swing through 11 holiday classics, along with two originals; the horn-driven stomper "Hey Santa!", spiced with some sizzling vocal and instrumental interchange, and a roaring blues mélange: "Santa’s Got a Hot Rod", complete with blaring horns and a fine, growling vocal from Setzer, describing the wonders of Santa’s new souped-up ride, which has replaced a "rusty old sleigh."

"White Christmas" gets a gently rocking arrangement, graced by honking sax and robust guitar punctuations, while a mid-tempo instrumental version of "My Favorite Things" provides Setzer with a showcase for his serious guitar chops. There are plenty of jazz-tinged solos, ahead of fanciful flights of brass and woodwinds. For comic relief, Setzer brings his mock spooked-out vocal on "’Zat You Santa?", and his generous serving of ham on "You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," to which he adds a reverberant top-strings solo that pays homage to "The Munsters" theme song.

“Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!” drives just like you may expect a big band ought to do. Towards the end, it takes a turn with a short bass trombone solo catching you off guard. One of the most ambitious charts is, "Angels We Have Heard On High”. Setzer puts everyone out there at breakneck speed. Starting with the orchestra, trumpets at terminal velocity, then and a full-bodied church choir, with enough room for a burst of blaring horns and trebly rock guitar solos. Setzer ties up this holiday gift with a lush, dreamy rendition of "What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve”, which, like the rest of the disc, rings true both in content and spirit.

Though it was released several years ago, the music is anything but dated. Each tune is sure to put a smile on your face. If you’re up for a holiday sound amidst the sun, pop this in a let the grinning begin.

Speaking of “Crazy Santa Claus”, take a look at this promo video for the Edmonton Singing Christmas Tree

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