*A publication I read some years back carried the story of an annual church Christmas Dinner.  Over the years it had become a  family affair which welcomed everyone, including people off the street. Members of the church brought their extended family.  Small children, theater folk and those who had nowhere to go would eat together. The writer described it as a “weird and wonderful mix,” although not without problems.

One year, a loud argument broke out. There were caustic comments, threats of violence and worried people at the tables.  Serious trouble was brewing until a quick thinking music director slipped behind the piano and belted out “Jingle Bell Rock.”  Anger melted as Christmas carols rang out.   In the biggest of ironies,  those involved in the disturbance dropped their resentments and stood harmonizing with each other.

I thought of this story as we go through Advent with the background noise of…