Let every heart...

I've been reading and listening to several great posts and commentaries about Advent this year. We are now in the second week of the Advent Season. One in particular that really inspired me last week was a blog post called The Thrill of Hope from The Beautiful Due. Please do take the time to read the entire post but here's just a few thoughts that caught my heart.

"Sometimes our Advent celebrations get so quiet and reflective that, well, I just about fall asleep. How about pealing them with carols sung by a legion of voices? And by carols I don’t mean more Feliz Navidad or Mariah Carey, but the heavy-laden theological lushness of songs like Lo, How A Rose E’re Blooming or God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen or What Child is This? Yes, I realize you’re not supposed to sing carols until Christmas Eve or Day, but I believe God became small so we could break the rules, so there."

And also this comment:

"If enough of our voices were raised the earth herself might listen and possibly join in, the very rocks crying out…what if we exercised just a tad of moderation to the reflection and focused just a tad more on projection, joining hands in the crest of newfallen snow while lifting our God-given voices? Man oh man, what a gift to give this weary world, the gift of sound – Advent, a thrill of hope…nations might even cease from their warring and sit back, close their eyes, and dream of a new and glorious morn."

I know the stillness and the quiet of the season can be a comfort to many too... but I just love this idea of focusing on our "projection"... our joy, our excitement and the "thrill of hope" in this amazing event. I've decided to do that by making some music available for download this Advent season. I'm going to try to share something each week during the advent season. This week it's my take on God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. some of it may be very stripped down and simple but I'll try to offer a tune a week. I know I'm a week behind already so watch for more to come soon. I hope these songs will help in your observance of Advent. I know for me it's all about making more room... let every heart prepare Him room.

A Little Bit of Light

Hey There Friends!
I'm here in my office today doing my best to not let this weather get to me. It's another rainy, cold day. I'm afraid we have not had many of those classic bright, sunny, blue sky, fall days here in Ohio this year. The reason that matters to me is because I'm someone who deals with SAD. It's not an incapacitating thing for me as it is for some. But still a very real challenge for me this time of year heading into winter. I've been down the road of medications etc but have opted to deal with it in a more natural way. One of the things I've discovered to be the best therapy for me is to focus on bringing as much virtual sunshine through music, laughter and fun to as many kids and families as possible. This happens in churches, schools, libraries and even house concerts.

I suspect that here in NE Ohio there are plenty of folks who might deal with a bit of the blues this time of year. I'm amazed at how powerfully we are able to combat those heavy feelings by simply coming together as family and friends to celebrate light, love and laughter with our children. You see I believe we all carry a little bit of light within ourselves and as we come together and I let my little bit of light shine with your little bit of light and so on and so forth well... amazing things can happen!

You can help me chase the blues away by requesting information about scheduling a Family Concert this fall/winter. I can work with just about any size venue from a theater to a children's bookstore. Drop me a line or click on the link here and let's make plans for a Brilliant Family Event!

Shine Bright-
Chip