First published 1998
Roger Bennett sits at his piano in the quiet hours after midnight, his fingers finding solace in familiar melodies as he battles cancer. The darkness that surrounds him becomes a creative sanctuary where he transforms fifteen beloved hymns into gentle piano solos. Each arrangement flows from his need for comfort and connection with the divine during his illness. Bennett weaves together classic songs like "Amazing Grace" and "Great is Thy Faithfulness," sometimes blending multiple hymns into single meditative pieces. "Jesus Loves Me" merges with "Jesus Loves the Little Children," while "This Is My Father's World" incorporates "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee." The music emerges from Bennett's personal struggle, each note shaped by his search for peace and reassurance. These midnight sessions become his way of processing fear and finding hope through the familiar words and melodies that have sustained believers for generations.
Genres: christian, christian-fiction, religion, spirituality, music, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional-atmospheric, intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, search-for-meaning
64 pages · Paperback · Lillenas
Content warnings: terminal-illness