RICHMOND, Va. -- This time 110 years ago, they were still laying the Virginia granite and Indiana limestone on the Cathedral of the Sacred here in Richmond.
It’s one of the area’s most breathtaking churches. Just walking into it strikes a chord in the heart. And when it’s full of the faithful - chanting and singing - you can imagine you’re in any number of centuries.
Imagine being a child, part of a group of youngsters singing for a full cathedral – this cathedral - on Christmas Eve.
“It just feels amazing to just be spreading Christmas cheer to everybody out in the audience,” said 11-year-old Mary Finam Mudd, who was one of the oldest members of the Cathedral Youth Choir who performed during the jam-packed Christmas Liturgy Thursday afternoon.
“And they seemed to having a good time the whole time.”
Mary seemed to be enjoying the moment, too. She says she wants to be an author – a poet. In fact, she has already written some poems.
Mary said singing in a group, together, enhances the experience.
“When we get together, we sound a lot better than just by ourselves. It sounds the best and we get to spread a lot more cheer and joy.”
I watched Mary and her fellow choir members this Christmas Eve, thinking how this was playing out in churches around the world.
What better way to celebrate Christmas with the voices of the young . . . innocence, hope and faith defined.
Mary says it gets to “the true meaning of Christmas.”
And what is that?
“You can feel something in your heart you can’t explain,” 11-year-old Mary said. “And it feels just wonderful. And it’s not about getting presents and all that stuff. It’s just about believing in God and celebrating the birth of Jesus.”
I hope you get a chance to watch the video and celebrate innocence on this Christmas Eve and Day.
Best wishes to each and every one of you.
