Looking Out My Back Door
Well, not exactly out the back door. I was standing just outside the back door when I took this photo after our December 19-20 snowstorm.
There was about 8-inches of snow on the ground when I took this pictures. Over the next couple of days we added about another 6 inches of snow. We made it out on December 21 for what would have been the Christmas music program at our church. Only about 100 other people made it (attendance would have normally been over 1500). So we all sat in one part of the sanctuary and sang carols, accompanied by two violinists who were part of the orchestra that would have been playing. They were playing from scores without any rehearsal; our music director was making up the program as we went.
It turned out to be one of the most wonderful Christmas services I've attended. It was so simple - just two violinists and 100 voices singing "Joy to the World", "Silent Night", "The First Noel", etc. Yet it was profound; everyone who was in attendance was there because they made an effort to be there. There was a sense of community, tranquility, and peace; combined with the quiet and peace of the snow it was quite moving.