Where do you find JOY during the Advent season?

Like many others, I have always found joy in music. From bluegrass to folk to 70’s pop/rock, there is a lot of joy for me in a good song that touches my soul. I grew up in a musical family and began singing in children’s choir at church at an early age. I continued singing in choirs during my teenage years and even in college in a community choir. When I first visited Ardmore, I quickly joined the Adult Choir and have continued to joyfully sing here for the last 35 years.

One of my favorite Advent traditions is the special music the Sanctuary Choir prepares and presents each year. The work begins many months in advance as David chooses songs and readings and instrumentalists. Choirs begin rehearsals around September to learn and (hopefully!) perfect the music. Countless hours of work and dedication go into sharing a meaningful program and experience….and it is worth every second! It is a gift to glorify God in this way and nothing gives this alto more joy!

This year, our music will be presented at the 10:45 service on Sunday, December 14th. The program is titled Waiting in Wonder and merges beautifully with our Advent theme, All Creation Waits. The songs are rich and lovely pieces – “I Wonder as I Wander”, “In Bethlehem”, “Silent Night”, “Angels We Have Heard on High”, plus several others. If congregants enjoy them even half as much as choir members have while rehearsing, it will be a wonderful morning! Add in some lovely handbells and amazing instrumentalists and let your heart soar with ours!

A wonderful Ardmore saint told me years ago that her favorite tradition at Christmas was hearing the children’s, youth, and adult choirs present their music. She didn’t feel the true joy of Christmas until she had worshipped during these programs. I agree and very much look forward to the 14th. I hope you will come to worship and glorify God together as we all lift our voices with joy. Merry Christmas!

Becky Bryant