dual personalities

After a disorienting week of coughing at home, I finally made it back to church on Sunday. We had one service so it was the whole congregation together–very nice. I sat behind the pastor’s wife and their two children and she complimented me on my plaid Christmas pants. Quelle nice girl.

Our own Becka Marsh sang this version of Simeon’s Song during the offertory and I thought it was so lovely.

I played it a lot when I got home and I cried every time.

I also read The Three Godfathers, the short story by Peter B. Kyne on which John Ford’s 3 Godfathers (1948) is based (also the seven other versions). It seemed appropriate. The story ends with the remaining godfather stumbling into New Jerusalem with the baby as a woman sings

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, lift up your gates and sing,

Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna! to your King!

He hands the baby to the woman and the author questions, “Who knows? Perhaps in that moment the woman, too, like the Three Bad Men, beheld the King!”

How could I not then watch the movie? (I did, and I could not love it more.)

Meanwhile, following a mild Christmas and balmy temperatures during the week–not to mention some fiery sunsets–

–we were warned a fast moving line of severe storms would move through Sunday afternoon–always exciting and unwanted. But nothing much happened.

My eyes have seen
My eyes have seen
Joy beyond belief:
I’ve seen the Messiah!