Editorial December 21, 2015 Issue

The Spirit of God bearing ‘outward, upward, heavenward’*

Allison W. Phinney

A friend recently sent along an Internet video that he felt was especially moving. I felt the same way as I watched it, and gradually I realized why.

The video opened with a winter scene in the Netherlands, near dark. The sky was spitting some raindrops and an occasional snowflake. People were Christmas shopping in the city center—somewhat preoccupied, expressionless. Then the camera began focusing on a man who was preparing to sing at the far edge of the square. He had placed his upturned hat on the pavement in front of him like a typical street entertainer, though he was actually an accomplished performer. As he began to sing, a few people stopped what they were doing to hear what was an uncommonly beautiful voice. More and more were drawn to listen.

It was no ordinary street performance—the man’s heart was obviously pouring into every word. He was singing about being weary and burdened and then being lifted up. “You raise me up so I can stand on mountains … you raise me up to more than I can be” (Brendan Graham, “You Raise Me Up”).

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