Repeat !!

It has been an interesting Advent, to say the least. Although initially I found yuletide encouragement by reading an article, my steps have been hurried as of late by my interaction with those who walk by me (and sometimes with me!) on their own Advent journeys. In the past two days I have encountered a couple of friends who seemed slightly spent. Disheartened? Never! But, spent, all the same. Their faith in God always inspires me, but it was actually the fact that they were tired, that intrigued me. Being there for family, friends and their church while dealing with painful physical issues has to require a very special effort on their part. I tried to think of ways to help them out on their journey, but instead saw my own schedule looming in the background.

So as I went about my daily tasks, I grabbed a handful of Christmas Cd's to listen to while I worked. A couple of days ago I started out the season with the Christmas music from our local choir, which has always made me appreciate the fact that I was raised in a small church where I actually knew most of the people. I later selected a Michael Smith CD which reminded me of the many, many, Christian Cd's artists that have never failed to inspire me anytime of year. Then, with a grin, I picked up one of the WOW Christmas Cd's I have collected over the years, complete with rap tributes!! Muffling a gagging noise, I rocked on with the popular artists and their sincere attempt to 'own' the old mainstays of traditional music. (Not a lot of mention of the Christ child, but joyful warbling all the same.) So today I was ready for something that I did not think I could play while others were around. Ah! The Priests! Great voices, traditional music with varied interpretations!

A seasonal AH HA moment came upon me when I heard the Priests sing The Little Drummer Boy. I wanted to hear it again and again, but did not want to wander in and out to hit reverse. I suddenly realized that yesterday, without my glasses, I had hit the wrong button to what I thought would reverse and play again a favorite song on Michael Smith's Cd. Of course it took the fourth time hearing it play for me to realize that I had not pressed the intended button. I did not even know that there was even a repeat button on my Cd player! So I now intentionally pushed 'Repeat' and listened to the Priest's wonderful rendition of the Drummer Boy over and over. I thought of my friends and realized that I did not need to think of anything 'new' to do for them either. I remembered what actually brought us into each others lives in the first place. We actually knew each other because our paths had crossed as we followed the Star that led us to the manger. We eventually stood together at a simple stable and shared the wonderment of how something so simple and pure could fixate both Kings and Shepherds.

So, to help my friends this Advent season, all I have to do is actually hit 'Repeat'? Prayers, smiles, waves and hugs are the songs that can be simply repeated over and over and over and over and over. The simple tune that the Little Drummer Boy played for the greatest friend he would ever know, was enough. The Christ was his friend, and he played for Him what stirred his soul. The simple notes were enough.

So this Advent, to honor Him, I will play for them.