CONCERT: Message still resonates

We have been attending the NIC Christmas Concert for years and have always enjoyed it. But this year seemed especially meaningful. The enthusiasm in the auditorium was palpable and the audience seemed to really enjoy singing a couple of Christmas carols.

As we sang “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” the meaning of the words really impacted me.

Hark the herald angels sing,

Glory to the newborn King

Peace on earth, and mercy mild--

God and sinners reconciled

What does it mean? God and sinners reconciled. We sing these words because we have heard them for years. But the message is one of HOPE.

The baby Jesus was born for one reason only--to reconcile us sinners to God. We reconcile our checkbooks but it is not a word we use frequently. Reconcile means to come to peace by acknowledging and confessing our sins to the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. The audience and the choir expressed their feelings as they sang “The Hallelujah Chorus” with tremendous gusto.

In a world that seems to be full of chaos, sadness, anger, and despair, this concert was like a breath of fresh air. Thank you so much to all the participants.

KATE VIESELMEYER

Coeur d’Alene