Dear Parents,

You enter the concert hall and find your seat. You hear the cacophony of hundreds of voices all around you as other guests settle into their seats. You see the brightly lit stage, orchestra chairs empty, awaiting the musicians. You wait in expectation. Musicians enter, find their seats and begin tuning. 

The tension and anticipation around you increase. In a moment, the orchestra and audience become quiet, almost as if cued. The concertmaster and soloists enter. Silence. The deep breath before the plunge. The Overture. And then the first word. Comfort. Comfort. Comfort ye my people, says the Lord. 

The tenor soloist continues to sing. 
“A voice of one calling:
‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord…
Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low…
And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’”

Our grade 7 and 8 students have been studying G.F. Handel and his famous oratorio, Messiah. The sound of the music of the orchestra, soloists, and chorus has floated through the upstairs halls the last few days, putting us in the Christmas spirit. We aren’t singing, but in our hearts, we are welcoming our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. In this challenging time of our lives, we are so grateful for the angel’s words to the shepherds: 
“Fear not!  For behold, I bring you good news of great joy which shall be to all people. 
For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.“

You probably won’t go to a concert hall this Christmas, and many of us will be celebrating Christmas with our families virtually instead of in person. Yet, we can rejoice that during this season of waiting, this advent season, our comfort comes from knowing that we belong to Jesus, our faithful Saviour.  Join our intermediate classes this season by taking some time to listen to God’s words of comfort and hope put to Handel’s beautiful music, and may these truths of God’s redemptive story, along with the music of Messiah, ring in your hearts and homes this Christmas.

In Christ, 
Sara Flokstra, Vice-Principal