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Nina Simone in 1964, FT, David Cheal, 3.2.2020
“Feeling Good”
Dear La Côte family and friends
Initially, I wasn’t convinced about placing a commanding bluesy performance of “Feeling Good”, between “A Merry Christmas” and “Jingle Bells”, at this week’s carol concert prepared by the International Women’s Club of Nyon (IWCN).
However, this same song, recorded by Nina Simone, became an anthem of liberation in the civil rights marches for racial equity in 1965. Unleashing her rebel spirit, she sang with gusto, of a new dawn, a new day, a new life, bursting with hope of freedom from oppression.
I was reminded recently, by Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani, that “the real story of Christmas is about a divine protest… God breaking into human history in a demonstration of gentle rebellion against the ways of the world.” God, born in a stable in Bethlehem, was ushering in a new dawn and a new life for all creation. Maybe “Feeling Good” is an apt choice for Advent and Christmas worship, after all.
This coming Sunday, in our children’s nativity service and carols by candlelight, as we hear afresh the story of divine protest through Jesus’ birth, let’s pray for guidance to know how to join in God’s gentle rebellion as individuals and as the Body of Christ, in favour of a transformed future for all.
Carolyn Cooke
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