The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of immeasurable value,

"...the musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of immeasurable value, greater even than that of any other art...The treasure of sacred music is to be preserved and fostered with very great care.” This is a quote from the second Vatican Council. Found in the Irish Times for yesterday.

Arminta Wallace writes of the burgeoning of choral works over the (pre) christmas season and the crowds that go to concerts and lessons and carols (and other) services. She is focussing on Milltown Parish church in Dublin which boasts a professional choir. I am thinking that St Philips is fortunate to attract almost professional singers and musicians to its many choral events and times, as well as our two actual professional musicians.

"Meanwhile, for choir and congregation alike, the Christmas Eve Mass is an annual musical and spiritual high point. “There’s always a beautiful atmosphere at that Mass,” she says. “It’s magical. I always feel there’s a sense of expectancy – but also a quiet, almost contemplative feeling as well as the joy at the coming of Jesus. That’s my personal feeling about Christmas Eve, anyway, and I suppose I would try and capture that in the music for the service.” .....

But sacred choral music is also part of the tradition. As we tune in to Christmas music this year, in whatever form and at whatever level we can, maybe – if we listen carefully – its other-worldly beauty might give us some clues as to how the human species can face, with dignity and compassion, a future which seems at best uncertain. It will undoubtedly – if we listen carefully – give us plenty of food for spiritual thought.

it's an article worth the reading...
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2009/1224/1224261230623.html