Despite the formality, from uniform ensemble to the incense heavy procession in and out, Chapel was always fun. The songs, the words of wisdom from our chaplain, the scroll of commendations, and the announcement of who would be lead boy / girl that week were all uplifting. Students, regardless of their faith, looked forward to Chapel and the surprises it held all week.
Not surprisingly, my favorite parts about the service were the songs and the booming organ accompaniment played by the revered Dr. Jenkins. Everyone had favorites: The Saints of God, Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones, and the Alma Mater, naturally. But there was one song you looked forward to singing all year. And I believe it was right around this time of year when it would affect the program.
It started ...
It started ...
I've got that Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy down in my heart
WHERE?
Down in my heart.
WHERE?
Down in my heart. I've got that Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy down in my heart
WHERE?
Down in my heart to stay.
Then the next two verses would swap Joy, Joy, Joy with ... Love of God, Love of God then Peace that Passes Understanding ... THEN ... THE best part ...
And if the devil doesn't like it he can sit on a tack
(everyone, dressed in their formal wear, jump up in their pew) OUCH!
Sit on a tack
OUCH!
Sit on a tack. And if the devil doesn't like it he can sit on a tack
OUCH!
Sit on a tack to stay.
At Mass two Sundays ago, in between helping Mary color and replying to her request for snacks, I caught the gist of the second reading. And in it heard the lector say, 'the peace that surpasses understanding.'
No ... Really?
A couple minutes later, Father Bill was preaching about the difference between happiness and joy, God's love, and the utter contradiction of being a Christian, which is sadness. Despite Mary's plea to help her color and give her one more goldfish, I was on the edge of my seat, catching every word. Words that I needed to hear and words that sparked my memory of the aforementioned Chapel hymn. A couple hours later, I was singing it to Mary. And she was jumping out of her seat in the car during the last verse.
No ... Really?
A couple minutes later, Father Bill was preaching about the difference between happiness and joy, God's love, and the utter contradiction of being a Christian, which is sadness. Despite Mary's plea to help her color and give her one more goldfish, I was on the edge of my seat, catching every word. Words that I needed to hear and words that sparked my memory of the aforementioned Chapel hymn. A couple hours later, I was singing it to Mary. And she was jumping out of her seat in the car during the last verse.
***
Christmas seems to come with a uniform too. The Christmas tree glimmering in front of a big picture window, presents skirted underneath it. Snow and the men it molds. Fires, stockings, cookies and comfort food. Train rides to the North Pole, Santa, tears, and candy canes to sweeten them up.
Christmas seems to come with a uniform too. The Christmas tree glimmering in front of a big picture window, presents skirted underneath it. Snow and the men it molds. Fires, stockings, cookies and comfort food. Train rides to the North Pole, Santa, tears, and candy canes to sweeten them up.
And our Christmas was looking very uniform until about a week ago. Tree was up, Mary was almost through her advent calendar, presents were piling up under the tree, menus were planned, and tickets for Mass were in hand. (Phew!)
However, on our way to a fancy Christmas party last weekend, we noticed Bobby had hives on his back. Thinking they would go away within 24 hours or so, we partied on. Later that night, we returned home to a baby making our house anything but silent. Throughout the weekend his condition worsened. The hives spread and confluenced, inflaming his entire body. His eye was almost swollen shut, his ears cartoonish, his hands almost immobile, his mom and dad worried to death. He saw the doctor several times, he was in the ER, he was on steroids, than a higher dose of steroids. The blame was shifted to the penicillin he had been taking for his ear infection, to the Christmas tree in our house, to Peter's home brew, to my Pine Sol, to the dust kicked up from our kitchen remodel.
Out went the tree. In came the meds. Out went Mommy, Daddy and Bobby for a night. In came Mimi to stay with Mary. Out went the fire and the garland that I was going to drape around it. Our trip downtown to see trees and lights and decorated dollhouses was converted to a visit to a specialist at Lurie Children's hospital. Happy Mommy turned to sad Mommy.
I didn't know what was killing me more, the fact that I didn't know what was wrong with Bobby and I was continuously thinking my next call would be 9-1-1. Or the fact that my little girl at home, counting down till Christmas was confused and worried about what was going on with her little buddy as she calls him. I kept my game face (mostly) on in front of her. We baked cookies, wrapped presents, and danced the Nutcracker. But my stomach was churning and my heart melting.
So yes, this will go down as the Christmas out of uniform to remember. The Christmas of a Charlie Brown tree saved by steroids that might just end in the miracle of Tiny Tim (Bobby) walking. But it will be wrapped in the joy, love of God, and peace we all have down in our heart. The one thing Christmas should always have in the manger and under the tree.
Lo,
A very special thank you to Elfi Pahl who got us into the Lurie Children's Allergy Department on such short notice. The wonderful team at the Lurie Allergy Department yesterday. Our pediatricians. Dr. Opa. Eva. Mimi. And all of our family and friends who sent their care and prayers. Your support was invaluable.
And to all parents at hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses dealing with illness and injury far worse than Bobby's this Christmas, may the love of God and peace of Christ be in your heart during this difficult time.
Reading from Gaudate Sunday
A very special thank you to Elfi Pahl who got us into the Lurie Children's Allergy Department on such short notice. The wonderful team at the Lurie Allergy Department yesterday. Our pediatricians. Dr. Opa. Eva. Mimi. And all of our family and friends who sent their care and prayers. Your support was invaluable.
And to all parents at hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses dealing with illness and injury far worse than Bobby's this Christmas, may the love of God and peace of Christ be in your heart during this difficult time.
Reading from Gaudate Sunday
Brothers and sisters:
Rejoice in the Lord always.
I shall say it again: rejoice!
Your kindness should be known to all.
The Lord is near.
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
Rejoice in the Lord always.
I shall say it again: rejoice!
Your kindness should be known to all.
The Lord is near.
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
