In The Bleak Midwinter…
I’m writing this just a few days before Christmas, and thankfully, today begins the return of longer days, and the coming of the Light of the World is in sight…just in time.
I hope you and all you love are in good health and good spirits, even if there seem to be days when the whole world feels like it has turned upside down…good time for a miracle, I think:)
John 1:14 (The Message):
The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish.
Here’s a poem I discovered this season…love it:)
In the face of seasoned waves of evil
that we would sing that old noel,
that we would hang lights on branches,
that we would give gifts to others
even if that gift is only ourselves –
this, this is a defiance seemingly impotent
against the principalities and powers who
daily conspire to convince us that
we are alone and love is a lie.
But do not be deceived for the demons themselves
tremble at such quaintness.
Sisters and brothers, Christmas on.
___John Blasé
It’s been a busy musical season this Advent, with all sorts of ‘extra blessings’ along the way…
After a wonderful Have Yourself A Delta Little Christmas! show at GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi, I made a ‘surprise’ appearance at the 36th annual Evening in December fundraiser for Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville (the event that the Women in the Round started back in 1989 with my song as the ‘theme’ of the event). What a gift to see the Daystar staff and how much the ministry has grown over 36 years…amazing work going on there.
As I knew my Nashville trip would be quick, I reached out to several friends that I hadn’t seen in person for over a decade and assembled a group lunch over catfish at the Riverview Restaurant on the Cumberland River in Ashland City, Tennessee where I used to live. A four hour lunch with folks that I ‘did a lot of life with’ during my Nashville chapter…a ragamuffin bunch of creatives, deep thinkers, and lovers of Jesus. Four hours went by like it was no time at all….my old next door neighbor (who is still next door to my old farmhouse) hosted me for a couple of nights, and it was lovely to walk out and see stars in the sky over ‘Sycamore Hill’ again.
Zipped back to the Delta to perform at a really fun house concert for some local folks as part of my being an ‘auction item’ for the museum’s gala back in October. Great fun and participation by a lively group! This was followed up by the invitation to sing a couple of songs at the Christmas With Harmony show at Vernon Apostolic Church, hosted by local Gospel group, Harmony of Boyle, who was celebrating their 30th year of performing. We had a hallelujah good time for sure! On Sunday, the choirs of St. Luke UMC and First UMC here in Cleveland combined for the Lessons & Carols service and cantata. What a glorious group of voices, and I enjoyed the chance to sing in a large choir again. Here is a link if you’d like to hear the service.
Talk about some musical schizophrenia…after that beautiful liturgical service (and delicious potluck!), I headed straight to Airport Grocery for the Second Annual Deep Roots Family Jam for an afternoon of everything from blues to folk to soul to country with our wonderful group of local musicians who perform on a regular basis in our community.
Topped off the week with caroling for some of our sweetest and most precious local ‘saints’ at our two assisted living facilities. I’m so grateful to still be able to use the gifts and talents God has given me. Blessings upon blessings….
A friend shared this track with me a few weeks ago…I love it….hope you will, too:)
As we celebrate the twelve days of Christmas and head for a new year, here’s hoping 2026 brings you hope, good health, and happiness even in the nights that seem long and dark. Plans are to start working on a storytelling podcast early in the year…stay tuned.
So to you, good friends, a Merry Christmas, peace and good will to all people…
Pax Christi, Tricia
My “sermon,” if you will, was and continues to be, “Music can bring us together and make us better,” and trying to insert that idea has been my primary contribution while serving on this board. Others who have way more ‘left brain’ that I, have done the ‘heavy lifting’ of procuring funds, making political connections, overseeing construction, and developing staff in order to make the museum the reality it is today. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of such a magnificent project.
