Ah, Thanksgiving! Still my favorite holiday of the year. I am so grateful for many things, but, right now, I am particularly thankful to be in Fresno, California, which, though not New England or upper New York state, still gives us, from time to time, particularly fetching autumns where trees of so many vibrant colors light up our streets and lanes with their flames of bright yellows, rich oranges, wise browns and so many others. Speaking of flames, I am also thankful that the Creek Fire just northeast of us is finally 85% contained and we have good air to breathe. My wife and I are thankful for our two daughters and sons-in-law and our five grandchildren. And we are thankful for the health that permits us to take our tandem bicycle out for many rides in this majestic beauty that surrounds us.
Of course, the main reason that we are thankful is the season that’s coming up right behind: the Advent season that leads us to Christmas and the celebration of our Savior’s Incarnation and His living among us. The hustle and bustle of this season often obscures its Reason, but COVID-19, this horrible pandemic that has taken so many from us and isolates us from one another, has at least one tiny silver lining; it is slowing us down and forcing us to reflect on what this season is all about.
In Fresno and the San Joaquin Valley one of the most beautiful entrances into this season has been the Festival of Lessons and Carols hosted by Fresno Pacific University (FPU) right about this time of year. This presentation follows the traditional Festival of Lessons and Carols inaugurated in 1880 at the Truro Cathedral in Cornwall, United Kingdom, with its nine Scripture readings alternating with Christmas carols telling the story of man’s fall and redemption through Jesus Christ. Not to be outdone by COVID-19, this splendid, hour-long service is now offered virtually. To hear this Festival of Lessons and Carols in the comfort of your home, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/festival-of-lessons-and-carols-tickets-128146316081. This will enable you to obtain a ticket to the event, which you may then use to access it November 27 through December 27, 2020. Please enjoy this Festival with your best computer and speakers.
I am personally excited about this Festival of Lessons and Carols because it features the world première of my arrangement of When Jesus Left His Father’s Throne performed by FPU’s Concert Choir under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Wilson. What will you hear? Perhaps it’s Ralph Vaughan Williams meets George Gershwin meets a little rock ‘n’ roll. Maybe you will hear the majestic descent of our Lord from heaven, His love for us, and his majestic glory as the King of Kings. This is my and FPU’s early Christmas present to you. May you inaugurate your holidays – and your holy days – well with this Festival of Lessons and Carols!