Winter solstice

Everybody was home this past week! Last Sunday, as is our tradition on the third Sunday in Advent, we had a Lessons and Carols service in the afternoon. The anthems are performed by Kairos: A Consort of Singers and the readings are made by friends, associates, fellow religious, local clergy and brothers (9 of them). The free will offerings from the audience are matched by our community and distributed to a couple of local food ministries.

Lessons and Carols. From left, clockwise: Associate Kelly Fairweather, Br. Raphael, Kairos member Michael Saunders, The Rev. Brian Steadmans, Hildegard Pleva, Br. Aidan, The Rev. Meredith Kadett Sanderson; Sr. Shane Phelan, CMA; The Rev. Suzanne Guthrie.

 

With the approaching winter solstice, the early sunset makes for atmospheric late afternoons and evenings. A flock of Canada geese has decided our meadow is to their liking. They flock in various numbers with loud arrivals and departures. There is an interesting turf war when our herd of deer arrive to browse the meadow. Usually the geese cede the terrain.

Monastery scenes. From top left, clockwise: Brothers listening to Kairos during the Lessons and Carols service; members of Kairos singing an anthem; a flock of Canada geese in the meadow (2 pictures); Br. Josép preaching about his eponymous saint on the fourth Sunday of Advent.

This past Friday, some of us went to a Bach Christmas Oratorio performance graciously offered by the Maple Ridge Bruderhof community in nearby Ulster Park. There were about 200 choristers and musicians with a matching number of visitors. The rousing music and texts set us in the Christmas mood.

Christmas oratorio. From top, clockwise: Bruderhof chorister and musicians (two pictures); Christmas tree lights as seen from the crypt through the little cloister; crafty Christmas trees on the stage at the Bruderhof concert.

The Prince of Peace is at hand. We wish you a Merry Christmas.