What do the two have in common? A great deal if you are on the laid back island of Key Biscayne, Florida.
In December, prior to Christmas, I spent a week there where my very special buddy hangs out in the winter. His name is Tom and his company, the island ambiance and Miami skyline are worth every late flight, mechanical difficulty and hunger pain. It was my second visit and after the first, one of my requests was to attend the Sunday mass at the local Latin Catholic Church. Tom discovered it and is a regular. While certainly meaningful, the ceremony of a typical Catholic mass can be a bit dry and predictable, agreed? Not true of this one. For that hour the kids in church were the focus. They gathered around the Father and listened to his message. Intermittently and often the choir sang cool, unsophisticated, upbeat Latino music and truly, it was the best feel good medicine I've found in a long time.
That particular Sunday the children were called to front of the church and sat crossed legged around the Father. They listened to his message about the true meaning of Christmas and John the Baptist. John B. was all about sharing. If you have 2 coats and a man has none, Johns recommendation was to give up your second coat. If you have food and a man has none, share your chicken nuggets and fries....and so on. It was suggested toys should be shared but some were having trouble with that concept.
At the end of his brief sermon, he asked the kids to reiterate with him the lesson. Question: The meaning of Christmas? All little hands went up.....Answer: The celebration of baby Jesus' birth. Question: You have two coats? Answer: Give one to the needy. Question: You have an abundance of food? Answer: Give some to the hungry. Question: You have all the toys? Semi answer: Share with your brother and sister. "Got it?" he asked. The kids nodded yes and then he said, "OK, good, ciao, ciao," and they all scattered back to their parents. Immediately, the 10 person choir began singing their rhythmic latin inspired songs complete with tambourines and maracas. The tune is implanted in my head.....a one, and a two, and a.......hall-elujah, hall-elujah, hallelujah to The Lord..(maracas) Cha Cha Cha. Repeat chorus......
Anyway, like Tom, I'm still somewhat of a kid at heart. We get pleasure watching the energy of youth, embrace the upbeat and just say NO the downbeat. At this stage in life, who needs stuffy pomp and circumstance when we can be reminded of the likes of John the Baptist's teachings in such a simple and entertaining way. The Latinos of Key Biscayne and St. Agnes deliver.....yah mon!
Upward and onward...
Cha Cha Cha!
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