If the second week of Advent was about the music, then this week was about food. That sounds rather shallow and not having anything to do with the birth and life of Jesus, but let me explain.

In the reading of a chapter a day from the Gospel of Luke, of course I came across the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand people who came to hear him teach. So, he was conscious and sensitive to a person’s physical needs as  well as the spiritual. His instructions in Matthew 25 to take care of the ‘least of these brothers and sisters of mine’ is foremost in everyone’s mind this time of year. There are many opportunities to follow this precept.

At my work office, we chose two families for whom to buy food for the holidays (and hopefully beyond). These families have children who will receive gifts through the angel tree program. Employees who want to participate are asked to bring $10 worth of food or household items or to donate $10 to the cause. In years past many have found it easy to throw some money at the project and leave it to the secretary in charge to do the shopping. But this year, the spirit was different somehow. The box that previously held copy paper quickly filled and another was added. Each day the bounty grew. Every single employee participated. Many obviously spent more than $10. The boxes set out for donations were in my line of vision and it was awe-inspiring for me to see the outpouring of generosity from the people I work with every day.  Folks would stop by, survey the contents of the boxes, and say, “They need more …” or “They would probably like …” and return to the store to add to the provisions. Before school dismissed for the Christmas break, the abundant supply of groceries and sundry items (8 boxes full) was sent to the children’s schools to be delivered to the families.

On Wednesday night, the United Methodist Women cooked and served at the usual meal for the church (Worship on Wednesdays). Methodist women across the world are wonderful cooks and over the years have made a ton of money for missions selling cookbooks. The UMW prepared the food, chicken spaghetti and a variety of vegetables and desserts, and those attending paid $5 to eat. The funds raised were designated for Camp Aldersgate, a camp in Little Rock for children with medical or physical conditions or developmental delays. This camp is supported in part by the United Methodist Church through our mission giving. This meal served two purposes: provide a time of fellowship for our church family and contribute funds to a worthwhile project. Also, after dinner, we were treated to a program of Christmas music by the FUMC Praise Band.

Okay – regarding secular ‘food of the season’ events, I went to parties on Monday, Tuesday and Friday that involved me making a dish to take and share. Potlucks, as they are known. This is where people bring food, eat a ton of it and still have some left to take home. No one knows how it works out this way. It’s a Southern think, I think.

Food is a part of our Christmas traditions. May your holiday treats stick to your ribs and not your thighs.

Much of this second week of Advent has been about the music of the season, my favorite part. Since I was six years old, very few Christmas seasons have passed that I did not sing or take some part in a holiday program, pageant, play or concert. I have sung with a 100-voice community chorus and with a 10-voice choir in a country church.  When I was a child, there were school programs presented for PTA (which met at 3:30, during the last hour of the school day) and Junior Choir performances at church. I never had an outstanding voice, I was just a decent choir member. (We are a musical family, but the “talent fairy” skipped the middle child and sprinkled her music dust on the sibs on each side of me.) My rather utilitarian voice is fading, and singing at Christmas is something I will give up reluctantly, when the time comes.

Every day this week I have listened/sung along with the performance CD of Journey of Faith (created by Phillip Keveren and Tony Wood), the cantata our First UMC will offer during the worship service on the Third Sunday of Advent (tomorrow). In preparation for this, we added an extra rehearsal this week.

One of the joys of singing the cantata this year (and in years past) is finding a new song or a new setting of an older piece that speaks to my heart. Journey of Faith contains a contemporary setting of John 3:16 that is truly beautiful. I still favor “God So Loved the World”, the anthem from The Crucifixion (John Stainer, 1887), that I have heard and sung so many times. But  “God Loved The World”* from this year’s cantata inspires and lifts me this Advent Season.

These days I am also enjoying KVHU radio (“The Voice of Harding University”), mostly as I drive to and fro. They have played Christmas music continually since December 1. It is quite an eclectic array of songs, from “I’m Gettin’ Nuttin’ for Christmas” to Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.”

The last day of this second week was spent in a small gift exchange with some of my favorite people, the Central Arkansas Writers (at our regular monthly meeting). These women help me, inspire me and enable me to do my best writing and challenge me always to do better than my best. I am eternally grateful to them and for them.

*”God Loved the World” words and music by Jeremy Johnson, Paul Marino, and Jennifer Shaw c2010