Church of the Holy Cross hosts this annual open sing of the first part of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah at 4:00 pm on Saturday, December 20, in the church sanctuary. Come along and sing along!
The event celebrates the life of Tom McAlexander, who instituted the first Singlong Messiah in Hilo sixteen years ago.
Join together with frequent and occasional singers. Enjoy the wonderful solo performances and lift your own voice in Hallelujah!
Scores will be available. There is no admission charge; a free will offering will be received.
Joseph had a dream, and it changed what he did, and what he did changed things for Mary and Jesus, and what they all did changed the world. What is your dream?
Here’s a transcript:
The service for the Fourth Sunday of advent the Church of the Holy Cross will feature the Christmas pageant performed by our young people. I’m not thinking about this week’s Scripture with the idea that it will become a sermon, but I am still thinking about the first chapter of Matthew (Matthew 1:18-25).
Luke described the circumstances of Jesus birth; Matthew didn’t. Matthew, however, talked about one of the real difficult moments in that series of events: because when Joseph discovered that Mary was pregnant, he determined to set her aside: quietly, so that she wouldn’t be shamed any more than she already was.
Then he had a dream, and in that dream an angel assured him that she was with child by the Holy Spirit, that this child would be the Messiah, and that he would be the one who would be called Immanuel, God with us.
You’ve got to have a dream.
That’s an old song from a musical, but it’s also true. Dreams change things when we set out to put those dreams into reality.
Joseph might have shrugged it off — I’m not sure how you shrug off the words of an angel whether in waking life or in dream life — but he could have. Mary could have had her child, the Messiah, all alone, cut off from family and friends. But Joseph had a dream, and Joseph’s dream meant that he had a role to play, and that was a supportive partner to those who were taking the lead roles: to Mary the mother who would carry and then comfort the newborn child, to Jesus himself, Jesus who would eventually carry everything including the cross, that Jesus had done so because Joseph had a dream and set out to live that dream.
What is your dream? Is it a dream of love and care and support? Is it a dream that overcomes your prejudices? Is it a dream that leads towards life becoming better, not just for you, not just for your family, but for all those around you and those perhaps on the far side of the world?
Dreams change life. Have a dream and live it.
That’s what I’m thinking. I’m curious to hear what you’re thinking. Leave me your thoughts in the comment section below. I’d love to hear from you.
When John asked Jesus if he were the they’d been waiting for, Jesus took the opportunity to define what a Messiah was, and to invite everyone into thee Realm of God.
Here’s a transcript:
For this third Sunday of Advent, I’m thinking about the eleventh chapter of Matthew’s Gospel (Matthew 11:2-11). If this seems a little far along in the book to be describing things that happened before Jesus’ birth, well, it is.
John the Baptist, who had baptized Jesus, had been arrested and was being held in prison by King Herod. He sent messengers to Jesus to ask him if he was the one who had been promised, or should they wait for another? Jesus said to the messengers, go and tell John what you see and hear: the people are being healed, the dead are being raised, the poor hear good news.
The messengers left, and hopefully that message brought John some comfort and reassurance.
Jesus then turned to the crowd and asked them why they had gone out to see John the Baptist in the first place? Did they go to hear a reed that was being blown by the wind? Did they go to see somebody in great clothing?
No. They went to hear a prophet. And yet, said Jesus, the least in the realm of God is greater than John the Baptist.
Well, that’s a lot, isn’t it?
In this message, Jesus defined for us what he meant an Anointed One, a Messiah, to be: a healer, a teacher, someone who restored people to life, someone who restored people to the full care of their communities. But Jesus also defined what it is to be a prophet. A prophet is one who tells the truth despite discomfort, despite oppression.
But Jesus also said it is God’s grace, the grace that brings us into the realm of God, that surpasses everything. God’s grace made John a prophet. God’s grace makes each and every one of us a citizen of God’s realm.
As we approach this season of Christmas, as we prepare to rejoice once more in the gift of Jesus Christ, let us rejoice as well that we have been included in that same realm of God as John the Baptist, that we share it with that great prophet and with so many other saints over time.
That’s what I’m thinking. I’m curious to hear what you’re thinking. Leave me your thoughts in the comment section below. I’d love to hear from you.
Church of the Holy Cross hosts this annual open sing of the first part of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah at 4:00 pm on Saturday, December 20, in the church sanctuary. Come along and sing along!
The event celebrates the life of Tom McAlexander, who instituted the first Singlong Messiah in Hilo sixteen years ago.
Join together with frequent and occasional singers. Enjoy the wonderful solo performances and lift your own voice in Hallelujah!
Scores will be available. There is no admission charge; a free will offering will be received.
Experience the joy of singing Handel’s Messiah on Saturday afternoon, December 21, at 4:00 pm in the church sanctuary. And if you’d like to just listen, you’re more than welcome, too!
Tom McAlexander Memorial
This year will begin with a short memorial tribute to Tom McAlexander (1939-2024), who dedicated 24 years to the Hilo choral community. Please email photos, remembrances, and thought to memoriesoftommcalexander@gmail.com for inclusion in the program and to share with his spouse, Emma.
Soloists Wanted
We seek a diverse range of community soloists to participate in the program. Please nominate yourself or your friends by writing to hilosongalong@gmail.com.
Optional Rehearsals
If you’d like to brush up on your Messiah memory, join us on Monday evening, Dec. 16, at 6:30 pm.
The rehearsal is not required. You’re more than welcome to show up and sing along!
