Lux Aeterna
April 14th, 2006After a full afternoon and evening of Living Gallery performances, I went to the Bob Jones University Chamber Singers concert. Several members of the choir were also in Living Gallery so they had to postpone their performance until 9:00 pm (which I am exceedingly grateful for).
The Chamber Singers were performing Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna (choir & piano version) and, as usual, the University’s choral performance was breathtaking. Absolutely wonderful… After the final Alleluias and during the Amen section, I realized that I had stopped breathing, my body was completely tense, my eyes wide open, and tears were streaming down my face. After the applause ended and I had set a good minute or two in silence, I turned to Will & Alison (who attended with me) and said “I feel like I’ve just been through a breakup and then a marriage, all in one hour… like I’ve been twisted to the breaking point, and then completely shaken out.” It’s so hard to describe my reactions to these sacred choral pieces… it’s like sitting there in front of the choir while a spiritual dimension opens up around us and grace just begins to flow… you just get a sense that you’re completely enfolded in something so right, so pure… Come, Lord Jesus, my mind begins to say. Your kingdom is like this: pure, full of harmony, light, feeling, free from all discord or distraction, perfect in every part. Come, Lord… I begin going through the opening of the Lord’s prayer, Hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done (in me) as it is in Heaven…
I cannot express how greatful I am to the Lord for putting me in a place where I—sinful, petty, and insignificant—get to hear such perfect glimpses of God’s kingdom… and then to walk out into the warm, breezy evening on a beautiful campus with friends who are lovingly supportive of each other, who exalt the name of Christ and His work in each others’ lives… I just cannot tell how thankful I am for God’s grace which makes such beauty and harmony available to fallen mankind. Truly, Christ’s redeeming work has already begun, not just in our hearts, but on earth as it is in Heaven.
April 16th, 2006 at 9:47 pm
Thanks for this, Jeff.
You weren’t the only one like that, which is why we took a little while even to be able to stand up.
It was one of the more wonderful things to happen over a wonderful Easter weekend. Thanks for including us. I’ve always enjoyed listening to music with you. You seem to have a great ear for it in your soul.
April 17th, 2006 at 10:55 pm
Hey Jeff…I randomly came across your review of Velvet Elvis while doing some research on the book. Your review (well written, I thought) led me to your website and I noticed something about BJU. I’m in G’villian…I’m a pastor over at Grace Church over on Pelham (one of the 17,392,412.3333 churches in this town). Sounds like we’re reading some of the same books. Stop by sometime if you’re on my side of town. Peace.
April 20th, 2006 at 11:55 am
Jeff, your prose is like unto poetry. Not a common thing these days. I’m glad that you found a way to describe Lux Aeterna, because though I tried, I can’t. Calling it ethereal is the best I can do.
I have the Polophony recording if you would like to borrow it. You know where to find me.