Congratulations Spain! Yahoo for the Saskatchewan Rough Riders!! Kudos to Denmark …oops, mustn’t leave out New Zealand, the Netherlands or Germany!

If there ever was a week of multinational celebrations, this has been it. From world soccer playoffs to the game between the BC Lions and the Riders to the closing ceremony of the 2010 Kathaumixw international choral festival, it’s been a rollercoaster of emotions.

Although I’m far from being an avid sports fan, I habitually cheer for the Riders. All I know of FIFA is that it’s the world’s most popular “beautiful” game and it takes a very long time to finally declare a winner. Way to go, Spain…and bravo to the Netherlands and Germany for their efforts – no one ever gets that far in any game without a lot of hard work and sacrifice.

And then there is Kathaumixw, the biennial competition I love. (Two years ago I wrote about the same festival and I plan to do so again in 2012). Anyone who attended this truly multinational celebration feasted on five days of musical excellence. Congrats to the choir from Denmark for taking two major awards, including the Choir of the World for Kathaumixw 2010. Stirring presentations of traditional Maori music helped the choir from New Zealand earn a well deserved and newly launched People’s Choice award.

Winning is more than about taking home a trophy, though; it’s about people staying in the race when quitting would be easier.

“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands….” Revelation 7:9

Now that will be one heavenly, multicultural celebration in the presence of our Jesus Christ! You coming?