For Newtown: Songs and Sorrow

Our oldest grandson Zachary, who is now twelve, has taken up singing.  For much of the past year he has been taking voice lessons at a small studio in Fort Myers and this past Sunday he participated in his first recital.

Our local hospital has a spacious lobby, equppied with a baby grand, and from time to time they host such events.  So there in the midst of the hustle and bustle of a busy hospital, complete with PA announcements, Zachary and his fellow students sang and played a variety of Chrsitmas songs and carols.

Each of the young performers were dressed in their holiday best.  Lots of red velvet and satin dresses and bows for the girls, white shirts and ties for the boys.  Zachary wore his first suit--a handsom three piece number!  Some of the students played the piano, some sang, and some did both.  The selections ranged from simplified classics to traditional carols.  Zachary sang two pieces, "Deck the Halls" and the song Alvin and the Chipmunks sing at Christmas time.  He handled himself well.

All this happened on the Sunday following the shootings in Newtown, Connecticut.  And it was hard to watch and listen to the children sing and play without thinking of parents and grandparents who would never hear their little ones sing again.  One little girl, just about the age of the children at at Sandy Hook Elementary, couldn't pronounce the word "ride" and so it was "fun to wide on a one horse open sleigh."  She was adorable--and when she was done, she ran into her proud mother's arms.  How empty other arms in Connecticut must feel right now.

Much has been made of what we need to do to protect our chidlren in the future.  Much has been said about intorducing new gun control measures and improvements in our system of care for the mentally ill.  People have bemoned the violence in our culture, especially in video games.  Others have talked about better security in our schools.  And that's all well and good.  But we need to do more than just talk about it.  We who are parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends and caring adults, need to be willing to work for the changes. For our children need to be in hospital lobbies singing their songs of the season, not in hospital ERs being treated for gun shot wounds.

Near the end of the concert "Brahms Lullaby" was played over the PA system, our hospital's way of announcing a baby had been born in the delivery room.  In a few days, like preachers around the world, I will also be announcing the birth of a baby, a baby we claim to be the Prince of Peace.  Might we work for the day when all children can sing in peace.  Might we work for the day when all children can grow into the fullness of their potential.