sha towers

Jazz legend Dave Brubeck died yesterday, 5 December 2012, one day short of his 92nd birthday. A noted composer, pianist, and band leader, he is probably best remembered for his recording of the 1959 classic “Take Five” (composed by fellow band member and saxophonist Paul Desmond), the first jazz recording to sell over a million copies. Brubeck’s fascination with exploring non traditional time signatures (at least for jazz at the time), is seen in other works from the time as well, such as his “Blue Rondo à la Turk (in 9/8 time). In addition to his work in jazz, he also composed orchestral works, ballets, oratorios, and cantatas.

In the 1970s, he collaborated with his wife, Iola, on the cantata La Fiesta de la Posada, reflecting the Mexican Christmas tradition commemorating the journey of Mary and Joseph and their search for lodging in Bethlehem.

Brubeck says about the musical tradition that inspired Fiesta de la Posada: This music “reflects those qualities I most admire in people…dignity in moments of tragedy, infectious high spirits in moments of joy, and an unshakable religious faith made evident in a strong sense of one’s own worth and a deep respect for the shared values of one’s group — family, church, village. These qualities, I think, are universal to people with a strong communal sense — an increasingly rare attribute in urban culture. It is this sense of sharing in an event which I have tried to capture in the simple retelling of the Christmas story.”
(source)

I had the wonderful opportunity to experience this cantata performed by Dave Brubeck and his trio in San Antonio in 1984.

From this cantata comes one of my most favorite “christmas songs” — God’s Love Made Visible!. Dave Brubeck incorporate the same 5/4 time signature used in “Take Five”, but here blends it with a joyful Mexican musical style (complete with claves, maracas with interjections from a celebratory pair of trumpets). Iola’s text beautifully sums up the the most central theme of Christmas:

God’s love made visible! Incomprehensible!
Christ is invincible! His love shall reign!
From love so bountiful, blessings uncountable
make death surmountable! His love shall reign!
Joyfully pray for peace and good will!
All of our yearning he will fulfill.
Live in a loving way! Praise him for everyday!
Open your hearts and pray. His love shall reign!

God gave the Son to us to dwell as one of us -
a blessing unto us! His love shall reign!
To him all honor bring, heaven and earth will sing,
praising our Lord and King! His love shall reign!
Open all doors this day of his brith,
all of good will inherit the earth.
His star will always be guiding humanity
throughout eternity! His love shall reign!

Blessing of Bicycles

A reading from the prophet Ezekiel:

When the living creatures moved, the wheels moved beside them; and when the living creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose. Wherever the spirit would go, they went, and the wheels rose along with them; for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. When they moved, the others moved; when they stopped, the others stopped; and when they rose from the earth, the wheels rose along with them; for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. (Ezek. 1:19-21)

Holy wisdom, holy word.
Thanks be to God.

Let us pray.
Present in a world groaning under the excesses of consumption, we acknowledge the inherent goodness of nonmotorized, human-powered transportation and give thanks for the simple beauty of the bicycle. God of life,
hear our prayer.
Present in a community filled with children, we pray for those learning to ride. Keep them smart, safe, and visible on their neighborhood roads. God of life,
hear our prayer.
Present in a community filled with strife, we pray for the victims of road rage and bike theft. We ask for the strength to forgive people who behave in unkind ways. God of life,
hear our prayer.
Present in a world of work, we pray for those who build, repair, and clean our bikes and those who rely on bicycles to earn their living. Bless those who choose not to drive to work and those for whom driving isn’t even an option. God of life,
hear our prayer.
Present in a community of beautiful diversity, we ask your protection and blessing on all who ride: recreational riders, athletes, homeless folks, students, children, eco-warriors, bike messengers, and all the others who take to the streets, bike paths, parks, and mountains. Keep us safe as we ride. God of life,
hear our prayer.

Let us remember all those who have died while riding (especially).
A brief silence.
God of life,
Hear our prayer.

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be ever at your back.
May all your journeying be joyous.
And until we meet again, may God hold you
and your bicycles in the palm of God’s hand.

Go in peace and safety.
Amen.

“The good, the true and the beautiful are gateways that lead us to God. The arts are an expression of all three . . . .”

I encountered this quote while exploring the website for Worth Abbey as I’m reading the book “Finding Sanctuary.”