Art's sister, Phyllis, sent us this thought-provoking email:
A cold January morning in 2007 at the Metro Station in Washington, D.C.
A man with a violin played 6 Bach pieces for about an hour. During that time about 2,000 people went through the station, most on their way to work.
After 3 minutes a middle-aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.
4 Minutes later the violist received his first dollar; a woman threw the money in the hat, and, without stopping, walked away.
6 Minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen, then looked at his watch and walked away.
10 Minutes: A 3-year-old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The child stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. The action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.
45 Minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money, but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
1 hour: The musician finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this -- but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, on a violin worth $3.5 million dollars.
Two days before, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.
This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste, and people's priorities.
The questions raised?
(1) In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?
(2) Do we appreciate it?
(3) Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
Possible conclusion: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the finest musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made...
How many other things are we missing?
And for us: A lowly stable in a small insignificant village, a life lived and cut short in a distant unimportant corner of the world.....The most important event in all history...How do people miss it?
Every day -- what do we miss? What do we ignore? What do we neglect? The joyful presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives? A heart of gratitude that brings pleasure to God?
And what about those children who wanted to stop? Christ told us to be like children -- is this part of what He meant?
The song of a bird singing in the rain and storm....the gambling lambs in the field...the gathering of the cows along the fence...the rainbow...the colors around us....the smiles of people we know and love....the music of Bach...the Hallelujah Chorus...a really big American flag flying from a business in a small town....a fawn and mother deer in the meadow...words like "The Lord is my Shepherd"......A changed life, like Chuck Colson....and like me.
... .Sometimes we need to stop and feel the awe.
In the little village of Bethlehem
There lay a Child one day.
And the sky was bright with a holy light
O'er the place where Jesus lay.
Twas a humble birthplace, but
O how much God gave to man that day
From the manger bed what a path was led,
What a perfect, holy way.
..'Twas the birthday of a King!
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