An Advent Song

It has been fun to be in Italy during Advent.  We have watched the lighting of Advent candles in the local churches, just like at Roberts Park.  And we have seen the decorations adorning this already beautiful city of Florence.  Many of the streets have white lights hanging down like a cascade of snowflakes.  The store windows are decorated in preparation for Christmas and one store nearby has a mailbox where children can put their letters to Bobi Feste (I am guessing this is the same celebrity who goes by Santa Claus in the U.S.)

We were fortunate our first night in Florence to be walking toward the city square.  As we approached, I heard music, so we hurried our pace to see what was going on.  There were men dressed in what seemed like renaissance costumes playing instruments and doing a routine with flags.  It was a parade that had come to stop in the city square.  There were lots of people there and we joined to watch the festivities.  The culmination was the lighting of a large fir tree in the middle of the square.

Yesterday morning we walked to the top of the tower alongside the church.  It affords a beautiful view of the city of Florence and some of the surrounding Tuscan countryside.  Maybe it was the 414 steps leading to the top of the tower or maybe it was the view, but the word breath-taking comes to mind.  We caught our breath and took in the sights from every direction.                                                                                       




The view from the Church tower

 From atop the city, I could hear the sounds below.  I could make out the sounds of a saw and construction work being done.  There was the sound of an ambulance (very distinctive here!).  But after listening closely, I heard another sound.  It was the sound of a child singing.  I could not pinpoint where it was coming from, but it was very distinct.  From hundreds of feet above the city, the sound of a child singing was clearly heard.  It brought a smile to my face to hear such sweet music rising from the earth below. 

Isn't this what Advent is about.  Amid all the chaos and noise there is a faint sound that echoes above our cities.  It is the sound of singing...a child's song, Mary's song, angels' songs, a reminder that we all have a song to share.

Peace my friends!