Sunday, March 31, 2013

An Easter Memory


Although this photo was taken in the fall, a sunrise seems appropriate for Easter Sunday. In his younger days, my father would sometimes (maybe often, for all I know) would head to Mount Royal in Montreal for an Easter Sunrise service commemorating the resurrection. He told us how cold some of those mornings were. Even in my religious days, I never made it a such a service, but I don't think they were quite as popular in my day.

Forty-five years ago, however, I was involved in my own, unique Easter experience. I was at university but came home most weekends, and the church choir, to which I had once belonged, asked me to be the narrator for their Easter Cantata. The choir and I would take turns. I would narrate some of the Easter story and the choir would then perform an appropriate song. And so on ... until the resurrection.

It was quite a large church for its time although certainly not like a modern, mega church, but I don't recall being at all nervous, and, all in all, it was an interesting experience. Early on in the performance, I remember lifting my voice much more than I had in the two rehearsals by putting much more expression and enthusiasm into my narration. I guess that's what performers do.

I don't remember anyone telling me that I did a good job, so I suppose that I didn't, but it sure felt different from the rehearsals, and it is a bit of a pleasant memory.

Here is another sunrise. Both are from the cottage which we visit from time to time.


13 comments:

RVVagabond said...

Lovely photos. And what matters are the memories.

Donna said...

Beautiful shots ! And I'm Sure you did a wonderful job of it!
Happy Easter friend!
hughugs

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Happy Easter wishes to you and Sue and your family, John. Thanks for sharing the memories. For several years, we attended sunrise services on Easter mornings.

Mara said...

Having heard your voice in several videos you posted, it must have been a good performance!

Ginger said...

I'd bet you were a great narrator! I'd bet that the reason they didn't remark upon your performance was because they simply expected you to do that well. :-) Happy Easter, AC and family!

Hilary said...

Two lovely sunrise images, John. I enjoyed reading about your memories. Your father's sunrise on Mount Royal reminded me one of my own. Except mine had nothing to do with reason.. other than a group of friends hanging out all night and deciding that Mount Royal was a good place to watch the sunrise. In the warmth of summer, mind you. :)

Ruth said...

I have to agree with Ginger. You do have a "radio voice".

troutbirder said...

Gorgeous sunrises. Being an early riser it's my favorite time of the day...:)

Ginnie said...

The fact that you remember the performance so well tells me that you did a grand job. (Maybe you missed your calling !)

MARY G said...

My church at-odd-times memories mostly have to do with midnight service on Christmas Eve, but I have been to the odd sunrise Easter outdoor service. And cold is what I remember.
Lovely shots, and I bet your reading was vibrant and memorable.

Gina said...

We have a popular sunrise Easter service here in LA, but I've never been.

And, yes, shame on nobody for telling you that you did a good job! They could have at least told a little white lie even if it wasn't true! Which I'm sure wasn't the case!

Iona said...

Oh wow, beautiful pictures! You're really starting to get good at this! :)))

KGMom said...

Not sure if you saw the YouTube video of a resurrection pageant. The narrator is a singer whose voice peals forth while the tomb door appears to be blocked. Then suddenly Jesus emerges, with a bang presumably what was meant to blow off the door, which in turns starts a fire. Audience members rush up trying to put the fire out...and the narrator/singer just keeps on singing.