In one of my adventures in parenting, daughter Siri and I took cello lessons together.  We worked up a duet in time for Christmas, “The First Noel” – a perfect choice for novices with only eight notes played in a pattern that essentially repeats four times.

In fact, the famous music historian Erik Routley said about The First Noel, “Well, it’s really a rather terrible tune. . .repetitive and boring.”

Yet, we love that song because its repetition is cumulative and grows in volume and intensity.  Finally it soars to the unexpected F-sharp note of the final, sung, “Noel.”  Now, not everyone can sing that note, but we’re grateful for those gifted singers who can soar and touch to that heavenly note.

There’s a lesson for us in the First Noel’s repetition and soaring note.  Are we called, occasionally, in our lives to soar?   Does God find us in our daily routines and duties and say, “Now, at this moment, I need more from you.  Will you soar, for my sake?”

We’ll ponder this song and question this Sunday.