I remember when I was a child attending the yearly presentation of Handel’s Messiah and standing, as tradition calls, with the audience during the majestic Hallelujah Chorus. I also remember my mother passing along the story of why people stand during just that part. According to legend, when this unbelievable piece of art was first presented, the audience rose to their feet and silently stood in awe. At the time, applauding in church was considered shameful, if not sinful. What a difference now with modern worship abounding in clapping and oral response, so I never really understood the act of standing dumbstruck, in awe. Until now, that is.

Picture this: Several thousand of us at a music festival sitting on a grassy field with the sun baking our backs. Alternative bluegrass sensation, Cadillac Sky, on stage. The lead singer announcing this would be their final song and me checking my watch in surprise. They still had fifteen minutes left.

Then they started and I witnessed this Hallelujah moment. We realized there was something about this particular song, I don’t even remember the name. I only remember the pull it had. We rose to our feet and just stood there soaking in the music. No one clapped. No one moved. We just stood. What a gift they gave us. What a privilege to be in the audience.

And they went five minutes over their scheduled time.

May you all have a moment like that.

Granny Gretchen