Journey to Bethlehem

My daughter, Katherine the Great, gave me the best gift this Christmas:  a recording of the 2009 Concordia College Choir Christmas Concert, titled "Journey to Bethlehem."  It opens with a lone chime calling the audience to gather in preparation for travel, if you will, to the lowly manger where the Savior will soon be born.  This summoning is followed by the deep, and somewhat urgent, beckoning of cellos and basses at the start of the first orchestral piece, an original composition by choirmaster Rene Clausen title "Fantasia O Come, O Come Emmanuel."  I love that the program begins with this carol as it is really a prayer, a calling out to God to please send the long-awaited Savior.  The middle of the concert describes Christ for us, reminding us that He is God and that He is coming in order to die for our sins.  We are also reminded of who was present to honor the babe born in Bethlehem:  angels, shepherds, Joseph, the three wise men.  The journey climaxes in praise to God, not only for His Son but for all creation and for every blessing we receive from the Lord Himself.  After a rousing rendition of this song:

the program concludes as it began, with a prayer, asking God to stay with us, which He does in the person of Jesus Christ.  Finally, just as it called us, a lone chime send us on our way.  Lovely.  Thank you so much for the wonderful gift, Miss Katy.  I love it!