The need for quiet reflection from the hustle and bustle of this Advent season brought me to the evensong prayer service on Wednesday December 8, 2004. Moreover, this is exactly what I received! What a beautiful service. The church, dark except for the numerous candles burning, added an Advent ambiance. An overwhelming feeling of solitude came from the quietness. Deep in thought with the glow and the solitude, suddenly the evensong bell rang and the SJA Schola started singing Creator of the Stars of Night from the last rows of each section of seats and then walked singing to the front of the church. Old warm memories started to stir of a time when I was in boarding school, living in an old monastery. The Sisters of Mercy, who ran this all girl school, adhered to some of the old world customs. Advent signified chanting and singing through the season. Most of the girls hated all of this, while I was fascinated, as I had never seen anything like it. These are memories that awaken the heart.

Bringing my mind back to present, the beauty of the service flowed through O Come, O Come Emmanuel, lighting of the Advent wreath, an incense ritual, and the reading of Psalm 63:2-9. Following came reflections and songs, including one of my personal favorites, an Amy Grant tune, Breath of Heaven, sung oh so beautifully by Carin Vagle. Her voice was perfect for this song. The service ended with the Lord’s Prayer, a sharing of peace, putting out the light, and once again singing O Come, O Come Emmanuel. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you O Israel.

The evensong bell rang loudly.

and

Nancy Lynch says, "Joy is being a wife, Mom of fourteen, eight with varying disabilities and living at home, Grandma of thirteen, and Great Grandma of three. Serenity is listening and watching the ocean, alone, at our home on Maui. Passion is friends, photography, reading, swimming and children." Nancy can be reached at nalynch@aol.com.

Walking out into the crisp evening air, I felt centered with the community and myself. My heart felt reborn.