Music – The Christmas Eve ‘Miracle'
Reginald Fessenden (1866-1932) was a radio pioneer. Among other things, he helped to develop wireless telegraphy – the code was transmitted by radio waves, but the only sounds transmitted were dits and dashes.
Under his direction, engineers at General Electric produced and alternator with a frequency high enough to make possible the wireless transmission not only of Morse Code, but a whole range of sounds.
Fesseden quickly built a transmitting station at Brant Rock, Massachusetts. On Christmas Eve, 1906, wireless telegraph operators were startled to hear Christmas music coming over their receivers.
This is the beginning of Zechariah’s “Benedictus” (from Latin for the first word, “Blessed”). It is part of the morning prayer for the Church every single day of the year. (Mary’s Magnificat is part of the Church’s evening prayer.)
In the days before electricity, there was a certain rhythm to life – light and darkness. Life was quieter then.
The first light of dawn is a symbol of God kindly greeting us. God is there to gladden our hearts, brighten our eyes, and get us ready for whatever the day brings. Nightfall is a reflective time.
Now, of course, there is morning TV and late night TV. Quiet time is hard to come by. We’re surrounded with TV time with reality shows or soaps that trap us in someone else’s world.
It’s the day before Christmas. This can be a hectic time. But there’s also a certain spirit in the air that easily lends itself to some good moments of prayer.
Don’t put God on “hold”. At least for a few minutes, tune in to the Lord.
Spend some quiet time with the Lord.