“Tell us, what the God of Amos says in your ear.
Shepherd of a hundred sheep, what must you hear?”
-A
Shepherd, Heywood Broun
I had heard the story
of the shepherds a hundred times, from Linus’ recitation of the story from Luke
2 in A Charlie Brown Christmas: “And there were in the same
country, shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by
night,” to the recitative and chorus in Handel’s Messiah “and suddenly,
there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and
saying: Glory to God, Glory to God in the Highest!”
But the tale of the
shepherds that I heard at a Christmas service at Olympic Unitarian Universalist
Fellowship explored the story from a different point of view. What if there was
a shepherd who was unimpressed by the angels and the mystical glory that shone
down from heaven? Would shepherds really abandon their flocks to go on such a
journey? What if there was one shepherd who stayed behind?
That one shepherd’s
story, dubbedAmos by author Heywood Broun in 1929, explores these
questions. When I first heard the story, it touched my heart deeply. As a
person who always followed the beat of their own drum and who found awe in
different places than the people around me, I finally had a Christmas story
that I could relate to. I asked Rev. Chip where I could find it. He sent me a
word document, which I printed and kept in a binder to read every Christmas,
tears welling in my eyes as the story ends, and Amos shares what came to his
heart that Christmas night. A few years later, I searched and searched online,
and ordered a dismal picture-book printed on drab grey-blue paper that had been
withdrawn from a library collection. No wonder this book was so easily
forgotten. When the book arrived in my hands, the seed of the story that had
been singing to me for years awoke and began to sprout. As I was finishing up
my studies in Portland, I started composing. My work here at First UU and our
tradition of biannual Music Sunday services inspired me to complete the piece.
The choir plays two
roles in the piece; first, they are the voice of the multitude of angels, with
a baroque style Gloria. After that moment passes, they become the voice of the
shepherds, excited at hearing the fulfillment of ancient prophecy.
Understandably, they are incredulous at Amos’ reticence. But Amos sees that his
sheep are frightened, and there is work to be done. Amos listens to the truth
of his heart and has his own experience of wonder on that magical night.
Set a reminder to join
us for worship at 9 or 11 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8, to witness the world premiere
of this touching, tender cantata. I am so excited to share this story with you.
As always, on Music Sunday, we gratefully receive additional donations for the
Special Music Fund, which is set aside for music ministry outside of our
regular operating budget. Look for baskets at the main entrances to the Sanctuary
or donate online and choose “Music Sunday.”
What is it that
touches your heart and brings you to that place of awe and wonder? Is it a
multitude of angels? Or will you hear your own story in the tale of Amos, the
shepherd who listened to his heart, and stayed behind?
-Jaie Tiefenbrunn
Director of Music Ministries