Flash Mob Christmas

For Unto Us a Child Is Born

Händel - From Messiah - WarsawPhilh Orchestra and Choir, Haselböck

I don’t know if we could exactly call the gathering around the Manger a ‘flash mob’, but sometimes it seems that way to me.  Tradition tells us that shepherds, a few wise men, several animals, and even angels showed up for this event at one time or another. 

It is true, there were no social apps to announce this birth, but apparently bright stars and words preaching, “Fear Not,” was enough to start things off nicely.

Today, we have social media tools and although we hear less of this phenomenon called flash mobs, they still exist.

There’s a particular kind of "mob" that piques my interest.  You’ve seen a couple of these before.  This type centers around orchestras and choirs that show up unexpectedly in various places to perform for the surprised but delighted public. It's always interesting to me when watching these because sometimes, you can't tell the performers from the audience. That's kind of what makes them so spectacular! 

I did a little poking around on search engines and found a few that might be of interest to you. I’d be willing to bet that most will not watch all of them all at once and may even skip a few."Fear not", there will be no quiz. 

These are presented with the idea that we can impact others in significant ways. These are presented as examples of the gifts we can offer to complete strangers.  These are given as praise and thanksgiving for the gift of music and how it touches us throughout our lives.

And to those participants who suffered sleep deprivation, to those self-sacrificial performers who spent time, energy, and resources to bring joy and peace to strangers everywhere, thank you.

Merry Christmas

FLASH MOBS

Five Strings Flash Mob – Oh Come, All Ye Faithful

A little over 4 minutes.
"You'll never know how much light you have within until you try to shine it for others."

Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus
I remember the gift. The gift of practicing and finally getting it right. (mostly). 

I remember the gift. The invitation to participate - for EVERYBODY to participate - and they did.

I remember the gift.  Even today, I know my part and just cannot help but sing along with YouTube.

Thank you for this gift!

Five minutes.
Hallelujah in a Food Court.

XMAS Flash Mob @ the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (Oh HolyNight)
About 6 minutes

Gloria! – Christmas Flash Mob in Berlin

“Nobody has to sound like angels, nobody has to be an angel, to sing in God’s Choir. That’s why you join in!” And, they do!

A little over 5 minutes

Christmas Flash Mob moves to tears 

“A little girl asking for help. Hardly anyone pays attention. But those who do, experience a touching surprise.” 

4 minutes

*** Just a thought. Everybody Deserves is a platform to recognize 'those who do.' If you know somebody, let me know! (I have a work-related possibility that will hopefully pan out soon. Watch for it!)

Christmas Children's Flash Mob at YVR Airport

It’s a slow start. It’s a little long. Some of the time, it’s a little off-key but all of the time, there are smiles everywhere. It is children doing their very best for a worthy goal - you. It’s children, happy to be offering their gifts. And maybe, even though perfection is usually our goal, maybe – just maybe, that’s not the point at all.

A good 12-plus minutes

Darth Vader conducts Christmas Choir Flash Mob - Carol of the Bells

Why not? Everybody needs a break from exam study.

2-1/2 minutes.

WestJet Christmas Flash Mob
Maybe a little less flash mob and a little more advertisement, but smiles were produced so it qualifies. Especially with those flying the four-plus hour red-eye.

3 minutes.

MISCELLANEOUS 
Nothing "flash-mobby" here, but it is Christmas, after all. 

The Piano Guys - The Sweetest Gift (ft. Craig Aven) (Official Video)

For those who, no matter the reason, experience sadness and grief during this holiday season.

6 minutes

Pentatonix - Mary, Did You Know? (Official Video) 
Always a seasonal favorite. The words, the melody, it just works.

4 minutes

Angels We Have Heard on High (Christmas w/ 32 fingers and 8 thumbs) - The Piano Guys
I will let you vote on what this instrument hails to be. 

• Keyboard.
• Percussion. 
• Strings.

All things are possible but you have NEVER seen a piano played like this.  Let’s just call it a gift of EXTREME talent.

3- 1/2 minutes

Oh my.

So I'm proofreading and almost ready to hit "Publish". And then, I was interrupted by this one.  I gotta' stop watching YouTube!

Over A Thousand People Came Together To Break a Record - Angels From The Realms Of Glory

The Loads We Carry

 

“You don’t always get to choose the load, but you can choose how to carry it.” James Clear, author of Atomic Habits.

Just one sentence.

I decided to stop and think about how often I might apply these 16 words in everyday circumstances. 

I now live in Iowa. I have moved from a place that generally receives 11 inches of snow per season. Temperature discussions in Ohio typically center around the concept of above-or-below freezing. 

Northern Iowa on the other hand, receives between 38 and 42 inches of snow per season and will often discuss above or below zero. Above freezing is hardly worth the effort.

I will now be shoveling snow and if this last week means anything, this scoop on the end of a long stick will be scraping the sidewalk almost every day. You see, even if it isn’t snowing, the wind seems to replace all previous efforts of removal with a firmly stated, “Take that!” Yes, Iowa winds can speak.

A heavy winter coat, boots, gloves, and maybe a scarf begin the preparation. Shovel in hand with a bucket of ice melt and I’m out the door. Baby, it’s cold outside. (Yeah, I had to get the Elf movie in here somewhere – it’s that time of year!) 

So then, let’s see.  What else can I complain about?

But 16 words.

OK. OK. Maybe I will look at this another way. Today, blessed with warm clothing and a shovel in hand, I get some fresh air and exercise. My heart pumps a little more than usual and when finished, there is a safe walkway for the pedestrians that brave the weather to get where they’re going. All in all, a job well done.

I have no doubt that rethinking this task can make all the difference.

I have no doubt that the short phrase that began this discussion should be a mantra. Perhaps this year’s “Word of the Year” will again be a phrase.  Maybe I’ll use, “Sixteen words.” I’m going to give that some thought.

Whether being awarded the “Word/Phrase of the Year” or not, I can only imagine that choosing to remember the advice supplied will help keep attitude and energy focused on better rather than worse. It will seek gratitude rather than condemnation. It will focus on opportunity rather than misfortune. It will reveal blessings while dismissing the perceived curses. 

This will prove to be invaluable as I seek a closer relationship with God. I will find myself living with gracious thanksgiving and abundant life along with the hope that someday, all struggles will cease, all pain will be eliminated, and only love will remain.

As we approach Christmas, the joy of thinking about this seems to demand a chorus of praise.

Andre Bocelli sings, Gloria in Excelsis Deo. 

Merry Christmas!

Muted

A whirlwind of a week – or two.

It’s good that I’m in Iowa now. But the whole process was more than I want to undertake again anytime soon.

It seems that I’ve been working with cardboard boxes forever. Load ‘em up, schlep them somewhere, spend an entire day driving them westward, unload and unpack while trying to find a place for the contents. And, don’t forget the demands of office emails which are piling up beyond imagination.

And it seems that I get to do this all without what anyone would properly describe as a bed. Online ordering isn’t always what we’d like it to be!

The complaints are done, but there seems to be a legitimate topic for this week in spite of everything.