A Day of Christmastime Surprises

     Glad tidings of joy!  That's what I enjoyed yesterday.  I decided to spend my lunchtime at St. Thomas Episcopal Church to enjoy their Christmas carols.  I couldn't think of a better way to get away from work or spend a December afternoon.  St. Thomas is an unexpected sanctuary (literally) betwixt the bustle and commercialism of midtown Manhattan.  
     I occupied a pew on the left and admired how other joyful people joined the merriment from their jobs or boroughs.  I was happy to see a change in patronage.  There were still WASPs wearing Brooks Brothers blazers and Belgian Shoes.  But, since the Episcopal church is gay-friendly now, there were lots of young men in pony-tails, clusters of gay fellows, and a handsome couple sat in front of me, in matching red deep-V sweaters… with one's arm around the other's shoulder.  Before its official gay-friendliness, St. Thomas merely had an older group of "confirmed bachelors", as its only gay demographic.

     High above the altar, on the magnificently carved wall, violet-colored stained glass windows glinted.  They were beautiful jewels of color!

     The mammoth organ rumbled alive for "Silent Night".  Stashed all around the church, winter greenery adorned the pulpit, choir seating, and candle holders along the aisles.  Large bouquets of white poinsettias punctuated the aisles.  All the candles were flickering, including lanterns nestled by the baptismal font and chapel, as well as the ones in the huge advent wreath, which hung down on chords from the vaulted ceiling.

     The world-famous Choir of Men & Boy sang "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", "Angels We Have Heard on High", "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear", and "Winter Rose".  I savored the boys' soaring high voices in "Sussex Carol".  The church's acoustics are amazing, and our voices resounded with the organ--really instilling a sense of camaraderie and joy.
    I shook hands with Rector Mead and returned to work.  There, I was delighted that two people coincidently brought Bûche de Noël from Francois Payard: chestnut and mandarin.  'Twas the perfect mid-afternoon treat!

      Nearing the end of my day, a friend of ours, Lauren, spontaneously invited us to dinner at Rosa Mexicana.  I had just received a surprise package from my Dad, so I carried the box to the restaurant.  The place was jolly and festively decorated with colored lights, wreaths and red poinsettias.  We met her Floridian friend, answered her requests with tales of living in the city, and munched on fondue, duck tortillas, chicken enchiladas, and fresh guacamole (made table-side).  The fondue reminded me of my travels through Geneva, Switzerland!

     When I got home, Lewis and I opened my package to reveal a fully cooked duck and a ham (both gently smoked over corn cobs and maple wood).  And a jar of "Game Sauce".  They came from Harrington's (established 1873 in Vermont).  Lewis knows how I like certain meat.  (coy smile)  Ha ha!