Gratitude and Hope

Written by Kathleen Balling, Music Assistant

This week is Thanksgiving. A time to be thankful for all of God’s gifts, whatever they are: health, family, faith, friends, or the beauty of the earth. It can be a challenge to feel thankful amid the upswing of COVID-19 infection in our community.

The word 'gratitude' is derived from the Latin word gratia, which means grace, graciousness, or gratefulness (depending on the context). In some ways, gratitude encompasses all of these meanings. Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. People feel and express gratitude in multiple ways. They can apply it to the past, present or future. Right now, I think it is important to do all of these, but especially the future. You can express gratitude for the future by maintaining a hopeful and optimistic attitude.

Which brings me to the word “Hope”….

If you ask my family, Hope is one of my favorite words and feelings. On our farm, my tractor is a Farmall H. I call it the Hope tractor. I am a glass half full person (most of the time!).

I am hopeful about the season of Advent, which starts this Sunday. It is the promise of the coming of the Christ Child. In a normal year, the Cathedral Choir would be in final preparation for the annual Messiah performance. Handel’s Messiah tells the whole story of Christ: Part one foretelling the birth of Christ, Part two the Passion of Christ and Part three the Resurrection of Christ. Though we present it as a concert, to numerous people, this is a worship-filled service. It moves, nourishes, and inspires hope when they hear the soloists and Cathedral Choir, accompanied by orchestra, sing the words of this masterwork. All the words are taken from the Bible- the ultimate masterwork! You will still get to hear our Cathedral Choirs sing Messiah. We will present an encore online performance on Friday, December 4, at 7:30pm. We hope you will join us. We are grateful for all our families in the music ministry, as they continue to adapt and change to what “choir” looks like in this season.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

May you have a blessed Thanksgiving and Hopeful Advent.