by Gian Carlo Menotti
Not a carol or a song, but an operetta, Amahl and the Night Visitors will always
be a special Christmas memory. Son Bob sang the role of Amahl for 3
years, with the first wonderful year being at St. Paul’s. The entire choir
played and sang as shepherds and townspeople. We had a children’s choir at the
time, so it seemed like our entire church was involved in the production in one
way or another. Our choir director then, Lorna Mount, was Amahl’s mother; her
husband John and two of their operatic friends played the three kings. And it
was then that our current choir director, Ron Revier, first “met” young 5th
grade Bob. Ron was seated on the aisle, foot out, as crippled Amahl hobbled
forward on his crutches, singing – and was nearly tripped. It all worked out.
Years passed. Ron was subsequently one of Bob’s favorite teachers in high
school and now directs him in our church choir. So many of our congregation
from that period are now gone. But while time steals things and people away, as
Viktor Frankl noted, time is also a “Trustee,” preserving those rich and
precious memories. And so, another Christmas memory forms our deep, abiding
connection with St. Paul’s.
—Pat Muckle
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