One week ago, the Annie Moses Band (that’s us) was in the thick of the Christmas tour, performing at the wonderful congregation of Garner, North Carolina. We were greeted by a great house and happy folks. What a smashing good time (in the English sense of the phrase) performing our Christmas material! One of the secrets of the performer’s trade is that every holiday season is (depending on your music) either a sad attempt at a fresh re-imagining of Christmas classics, or a fantastically fun opportunity to shake up the status quo and deliver a great show. Clearly, we get to experience the latter every time we step on to a new stage, thanks to the ingenious arrangements of Bill Wolaver.

Thursday found us cruising the streets of New Bern, NC, an idyllic coastal community replete with boutique shops, tasty restaurants, and no Guitar Center (to our bass player’s dismay). Our destination was Temple Baptist Church which we had visited two years previously. Every now and then, we visit a church that not only receives you as a guest, but welcomes you as family. Temple Baptist is just such a place. The road can be difficult sometimes, but finding visionary leaders like Pastor Steve makes it worthwhile.

We spent three delightful days in New Bern, enjoying the scenery and performing with the excellent choir on our two of our favorite songs, Bethlehem House of Bread and Make His Praise Glorious. We even got to eat at this fabulous restaurant with beautiful wood flooring and paintings. The top item on the menu was the Grits’n Shrimp (I was dubious myself, but it’s really one of the best things I’ve ever had). Two nights and three rousing shows later, we left New Bern for the environs of Atlanta. The good folk of Cornerstone Church in Augusta blew us away with their energy and dynamic audience participation. I, for one, will never forget the sight of several hundred men and women competing over who could sings the lyrics of Deck the Halls with greater vigor (the men won, but we decided to let the ladies have it. Don’t tell anyone I said that by the way.)

And finally, a long awaited reunion came around, one that we have looked forward to every year for four years running. First Baptist Church of Lillburn has become a Christmas tradition for us. No other church could have provided us with a piano player as accomplished as Pastor David Huff, who joined Annie, Alex, and myself on the carol, The First Noel. Moments like that are the reason I love Christmastime. There is no other season where the joy, festivity, and music all conspire to make unforgettable memories. Thanks to everyone who has made these wonderful events possible. We are blessed to have been a part.

And that’s the Week in Review.