Christmas Carol Concert in Aix

This past Sunday, Sarah, Nick and I participated in a wonderful Christmas Carol Concert at the Cathedrale Sainte Sauveur in Aix. Sarah and I were in the choirs and Nick was an usher. This was a big thing for me as I'd quit singing in choirs when I didn't make the cut at tryouts in eighth grade ....fortunately, they are more forgiving in church choirs. Who knows, maybe voices improve with age and I just love to sing. At any rate, it was a fabulous experience. Our choir director, Hilary, is an energetic, young, endearing, Californian with a superb voice and spirit as well. Here she is reminding us to SMILE while we sing!


While the concert was held in the catholic cathedral, it was hosted by the protestant, English speaking church we attend, the International Christian Community of Provence. This is the biggest event of the year for this little church as nearly 1500 people attend the service. It was also a pretty big event for the Nick, Sarah and I as well!
St Sauveur is an interesting cathedral. The Michelin guide says "it is a curious building where all styles from the 5C to the17C may be seen side by side...the vast Gothic nave, Romanesque Provencal style doors, Gothic bell tower, 15C triptychs, Romanesque cloisters"...well, you get the point; it's VERY old, VERY big and lots of styles were used to build it over the years. It feels pretty awesome to be inside. Nick took this shot from the alter looking to the back of the cathedral.

We arrived about an hour before the service to help set up and go through a last bit of rehearsing. Hilary giving the kids some last minute instructions....

Helping two of my good friends with the decorations. (L) Julie Jones, our minister's wife, and (R)Christine Balandier, she also happens to be one of Sarah's teachers at IBS.

The afternoon concert began with singing by a gospel choir. Welcoming remarks were then given by our pastor, Darrin Jones, in English, followed by a French translation. Pere Gontier, the Father of the Cathedral also gave a blessing as well, only in French though. Then choir then processed from the back of the cathedral up to the alter singing "Joy to the World" and "Oh Come All Ye Faithful". It was an amazing sight and sound. Altogether, we sang about 10 songs, with the congregation encouraged to sing with us. (I'm over on the right.)



There were some scripture readings about the birth of Jesus, our pastor gave a short message and then there was a special presentation by the children's choir. They sounded wonderful singing "Little Drummer boy" and "Go Tell it On The Mountain".

Next, they asked each nationality to stand up when called...starting with the English, followed by the French and so on....Americans were about the 6th group asked to stand. It was interesting to see just how many nationalities were represented. They did a wonderful "Twelve Days of Christmas". This is evidently an annual tradition. We were instructed to sing the song but also to stand up when it came to whichever day in the song corresponded to the month you were born in...For instance, Sarah, being born in March, stood up when we sang "Three French Hens..." It was fun watching the congregation pop up and down for this!! The service ended with the singing of "Silent Night". While we sang the verses, all the lights in the cathedral were turned out and then one candle was lit at the front of the church by the Father, then he lit Darrin's candle and so on the light moved from the front to the back of the cathedral until the entire space was a glow with candle light. So incredible to see and experience! The final verses were sung a Capella....this was magical....the stuff of which goose bumps are made. Slowly the lights came back on and we extinguished the candles.... and the whole place was silent as people left the church....