Dear Westwood Community,

For whatever reason, Christmas has snuck up on me this year. This is surprising, given that we have been playing Christmas music at home since November 1st! Gabrielle and Isaiah LOVE popular Christmas music and while can’t say that I love it, I have grown to appreciate how it puts us in the holiday spirit. Every now and then, I am able to add some of my favorite Christmas music to our Spotify playlist, and each time, Isaiah says something to the effect of “Daddy’s playing his Christmas church music again.”

Although you can no longer tell by my voice, I grew up singing in our church and our all-city choir. I love to sing, and among my favorite songs are Christmas hymns and traditional Black spirituals. Listening to music and drawing attention to the distinction between the lyrics and how I feel while listening to songs is one of my favorite spiritual practices. When we listen to music as a spiritual practice, it can help us connect to a deeper sense of ourselves and move us to expand our boundaries. I have worshiped in the Vatican, Seoul, Paris, and Compton, and while each service was unique, the throughline was sacred music that everyone recognized and could sing in their own language.

This Sunday, both worship services will have special worship music as we continue celebrating Advent. In the Sanctuary, the Chancel Choir, accompanied by a string ensemble and acclaimed harpist Alison Bjorkedal, will sing choral songs that highlight the Christmas season. Dedrick Bonner and The Singers of Soul Gospel Choir will be worshiping with us in The Loft, and I will do my best to stand in the back and make a joyful noise so that no one else can hear me. Regardless of what service you attend (you can always attend both!), my prayer is that the Holy Spirit will allow you to sustain a posture of openness such that the spirit of love, joy, peace, and compassion enfolds you as we prepare to celebrate the inbreaking of the Divine on earth in the little town of Bethlehem.

Love and Solidarity,

Rev. Dr. Carter