CANTATA FROM THE BIG PINK

Upon waking, the wise men found themselves on the Advent wreath, (yes, they had to have a little help) Caspar, however, had found himself lost in a dark wood where the way had become wholly lost.  Melchior and Balthazar were little better, for they had arrived safely at the wrong destination.  “Friends,” cried Caspar, “The Pink one.  Today is the pink one!”  After some discussion about the way they would get to the pink candle, they saw a little lame man jump like a deer up to the pink candle.  He had been blind and now could see, and was mute but now could answer.  Clearly, this man knew the way.  “Say friend,” cried Balthazar, “How do we get to the other candle?”  The little man yelled back, “You are at the other candle.”

SCRIPTURE:  Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.  Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.  Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.  The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs.  In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.  And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way.  The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.
No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there.  But only the redeemed will walk there, and those the Lord has rescued will return.  They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads.  Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.  (Isaiah 35:5-10)

FOOLISH WISDOM:  Later that night, Caspar found Balthazar laying out some rice outside his tent.  “What are you doing, Balthazar?”  “Scaring the lions and ravenous beasts away.” said Balthazar.  “But Balthazar,” said Melchior, “There are no lions or ravenous beasts in Centreville.”  Said Balthazar, “Exactly.”

Enjoy the fantastic Cantata today and hear our beautiful music ministry make a joyful noise!

MUSIC SELECTION:

What Sweeter Music by John Rutter

© Oxford University Press 1988 and 2020

Laura Hesse, piano