Do you hear what I hear?
I wish you could have.
Heard what I heard.
Last night at the Durham Performing Arts Center.
Piano man extraordinaire, Jim Brickman, and his ensemble cast including…
*the earthy and gutsy voice of Anne Cochran.
*the pure and tranquil voice of Canadian sensation Mark Masri.
*the raw, unedited, yet perfectly tuned six-string electric violin belonging to Tracy Silverman.
*the rich and full orchestration of the accompanying North Carolina Symphony Orchestra.
To give words to such an event risks lessening the experience, but I thought I should try … at least in part.
Last evening’s “night on the town” was a gift to me. One I had been planning for months. I am a Jim Brickman fan. His music takes me places. His artistry is a rare gift. A mix of God-given talent coupled with a willingness to tend to that gift. And when the two merge as one, when the divine enabling mixes with the fleshly obedience, the result is breathtaking. Life changing. The stuff of kingdom living as it was meant to breathe and to walk on this side of eternity.
Thus, when I heard that Jim would be performing nearby, I purchased four tickets. Two for Billy and me. Two for my parents. A surprise for the people who know me best and who, perhaps, love me the most. Some pauses are worth the pocketbook, friends. Last night was one of them.
From the first note on the keyboard, to the final bow of our host, I sat spellbound. Perched on the edge of my expectation, I could have lingered for hours. The Christmas carols were in full bloom, along with some of Mr. Brickman’s most endearing melodies. Two hours and a few tissues later, it was over.
Still and yet, the music and the memory lingers.
The totality of participating in something far grander than my limited attempts at living accordingly is worth the pennies that I pinched to take me there. To see and to hear the fullness of artistry in motion and in living color is a rare and precious privilege for this home-spun girl clothed with a heart full of dreams and a past full of heartaches.
Last night was about believing. About recapturing the hope that scripts my heart with the truth that my life was meant to sing its worth, even as it has for my new musical friends. And while I don’t know where they are in their faith journeys … if they even understand from where their giftedness roots … I believe they have some inclination.
Who can sing the witness of the Savior’s birth while harboring the totality of darkness within? At least they were willing to allow their gifts–their voices and their instruments–to be the stage for the Song of the season.
The Christ Child. The Joy to the world. The Hark behind the angels voices. The Babe of the silent night. The most important Gift under our trees and upon his own this Christmas season.
As Christians, we all house the immortal, invisible, highest ranking and soul-changing Spirit of this living Gift. He makes his humble home within our feeble flesh. It doesn’t make sense. Doesn’t seem right; still and yet, he has allowed his musical score its voice via ours.
Through our songs. Our words. Our pens. Our work. Our homes. Our churches. Our kindnesses. Our love.
Regardless of your capacity to carry a tune or to play an instrument, your Father has endowed you with a gifting all your own. Yours doesn’t necessarily look like mine, and mine? Well it’s taken me the better part of forty-two years to be settled on the fact that mine doesn’t have to voice like yours.
As children, created in the image of the Most High God, we house the seeds of eternity within (Ecc. 3:11). And when those seeds are coupled with our willingness to tend to this unmerited yet freely given divine favor, the results are breathtaking. Life changing. The stuff of kingdom living as it was meant to breathe and to walk on this side of eternity.
Do you hear what I hear? Greater still, are you walking the truth of that hearing? I wish that you would. It is your privilege to do so. It is mine, also. Thus, may we all endeavor to walk the obedience of such a sacred listening.
God continues to write his musical score through the likes of you and me. And that, my friends, is the best Gift of Christmas we will unwrap in this and in every season of our lives. As always,
PS: Congratulations to Cheryl B. for winning an autographed copy of Jim’s “Homecoming” Christmas CD (my personal favorite). Please snail mail me your email Cheryl.
Elaine, I’m so glad you went to this concert. The excitement came through your writing so well. I really enjoy Jim Brickman’s music too. Sometimes, it really is worth saving those pennies up for something we really enjoy…it’s well worth it.
I love how you wrote about how God continues to write His musical score through the likes of us. Wow; I like the sound of that. It’s very humbling to think about.
Many blessings to you Elaine. I received the CD and love the music. Thank you so much!
Um, yes, I am jealous!
Looks like too much fun!
God bless you for sharing this with us, Elaine! I felt like I was there:) “When divine enabling mixes with fleshly obedience, the result is breathtaking.” My thoughts exactly, my dear, regarding this beautiful post!!!!
What a lovely experience. I’m so glad that you got to enjoy it with your loved ones!
Elaine,
Your words drew me in as if I attended with all of you. Our God is amazing.
Your family is beautiful. There's nothing like time out together. I'm sure they were as blessed as you were.
I am not familiar with his music but I will have to look him up.
As for Donny, he's from my era as well and I used to love the Donny & Marie show.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful night with us.
Merry Christmas as we rejoice and celebrate our LORD at this special time of the year.
I love love love Jim Brickman!!! Jim Brickman and Ansel Adams…girl we have some good taste!! I’m soooo happy you were able to go and hear him live!
In case we don’t get a chance to say this before…Merry Christmas Elaine!
ohhhhhhh,
May we all be thankful for the gift!
He was such a present for us here in our future from back in the past…still with us, guiding us, loving us.
great post! So glad you had a night out…what fun!
Thanks for giving us a taste of your night on the town. I’m savouring every moment. I feel the anticipation and complete delight. Music touches places in me where nothing else can go – it is a gift to receive.
Yes, I hear what you heard,
Joy
PS. Glad you enjoyed my Canadian friend.
Oh wow, what a night to remember!!
Thanks for sharing as best you could.
I realize you just have to BE THERE!!
I enjoyed the video, thanks!
Blessings my sweet friend♥
What a wonderful night you had, Elaine! May you continue to have a blessed Christmas season!
Moi is gonna comment!! I am so happy for you that you went. I went to piano today and I brought one of Jim’s Cmas books. So my teacher had it sitting out on the music stand by the piano so I saw his pic and told her that one of my friends got to go to one of his concerts last night. We were goth very impressed. I told my teacher that I think he should put out another hymn collection with the songs that he had on the recording called “Faith”. I absolutely love his arrangement of “Mighty Fortress”…
I will stop rambling now. Haha! Yay that you got to go to the concert.
I would have loved to be there. The words though that capture me the most here are “As Christians, we all house the immortal, invisible, highest ranking and soul-changing Spirit of this living Gift. He makes his humble home within our feeble flesh. It doesn’t make sense. Doesn’t seem right; still and yet, he has allowed his musical score its voice via ours. Through our songs. Our words. Our pens. Our work. Our homes. Our churches. Our kindnesses. Our love.”
Beautiful.
In His Graces~Pamela
What a lovely visual: God writing our score (and not keeping one).
You all looked festive fabulous! No doubt the memories have rooted in your “forever” keeper (what a wonderful, bottomless pit THAT).
Kathleen
Love Jim Brickman and I love the Homecoming CD (don’t enter me – raise someone else’s chances!)…so glad you allowed yourself this special night with those you love. You look beautiful!!
Big hugs my friend,
Melinda
How wonderful! I’m ashamed to say that I have never heard this talented man. You sold me, my friend! Music has such power to bring us closer to the Lord and transcend this earthly tent…
One thing I love about Christmas is all the special events we pause to take in. Why do we not do that more year round?
Hmmm. Food for thought.
I loved the pictures of your beaming beautiful face! How precious.
Spellbound, this held me spellbound. On the edge of my seat, as a farm girl myself, enjoying the glamour once in awhile, holds my heart tenderly.
I love being simple, and yet I love witnessing the not so simple.
Lovingly,
Yolanda
Just beautiful, Elaine. Thank you the most, however, for the reminder of the importance of finding, using, and honing our gifts.
Okay…I’m a little jealous. Just confessin’ :o)
Glad you had a great time.
Blessings…
I love, love, love music! Especially piano! Our youngest son plays….mostly by ear….and our daughter plays. I used to love it when they were teenagers and still living at home….they would sometimes play for hours in their spare time. It is something that I really miss!
So glad you got to do this for yourself and some of those closest to you!! A great Christmas present!
Marilyn
Thank you for sharing what you find to be so endearing… it makes me want to remember to live life to it’s fullest. Having something to save for… and it being worth EVERY penny!
A dear pastor’s wife spoke on the gifts God has given us and our likeness of him. She spoke of the women in her life and how they hold parts of Him. She said “look at Elizabeth she has His smile”. I was stunned to hear my name but more touched to hear her words express what my likeness is.
My gift is not music, but praise God I am gifted in raising musical children.
What a blessed event for you to be a part of. I am slighty jealous that snow has us cancelling all the Christmas events, so I read and your blog as added to the spirit of our Lord Jesus and His birth.
Elaine,
You and Joy are so alike. There is such a simple elegance and beauty in waht and the way you share your lives, that when we read and ‘see’, our hearts are left with that silent ‘wow’.
Thank you for sharing your life and love with me. Your generosity, your kindness, your wisdom, your compassion, your peace have touched me and I pray that you are filled to overflowing with a renewed passion for His calling in your life.
Always, with Love, Thoughts and Prayers,
Sita
By the way, I have never heard of Jim Brickman, but your obvious joy in his music inspires me…so glad you got to go out on the town with loved ones to have your hearts touched in another way by God, to appreciate Him in yet another way, to see Him in yet another way..and to share with us..thank you..
Love Sita
Glorious, Elaine! So happy that you received that wonderful blessing.
I believe the Lord is encouraging His children to praise Him in these days through song, dance, and creative worship. I’ve always loved to sing but never sang well at all. I would never dream of singing in the choir or in front of anyone! I just privately praised the Lord in my pitiful pitch.
Two months ago, He prompted me not only to join our church choir but also to show up for our church praise team … on Sunday morning without notice and without practice! I had no idea what I was doing! Long story short, His Spirit led me through every note, and I could feel His pleasure as I sang.
I am so grateful for the blessing to “sing to the LORD a new song”! (Psalm 149:1; Isaiah 42:10)
Elaine, just wanted to pop in and say “Thanks” for the cd! Very exciting to win! Thanks again — and Merry Christmas!
Elaine, so glad you had a wonderful evening!