The room is L-shaped, dark, filled with booths, round tables and barstools. Neon signs colorfully flash brands of alcohol behind the long classic mahogany bar as sunshine streams in large plate glass windows fronting the island's main drag.
The place reeks of smoke and when I get home Sarah and the girls prohibit me from entering until I strip and shower ... then we can be a family again and have Sunday lunch.
On stage, Davy keeps a vicious beat as Monty plucks lead with flying fingers, John adds Calypso on Congas as I sing a rocking version of "Do you hear what I hear?"
Jars of Eggnog line the stage, a gift from Sam one of our parishioners and I see the dimly lit Christmas Tree through the smoke.
Monty and I grin, pushing each other to play harder during a jam in the middle of the Christmas Carol ... Davy's relentless beating of the drums ... and John's in a trance hitting the skins.
People are clapping and dancing!
Well ... most people.
A Dad and his three kids greedily eat sitting in the booth directly in front of the stage.
People don't have money so they bring food instead. A pool table's converting to a setting of banquet fare and the hungry come for food ... music ... company ... a kind word.
There's no preaching ... the world has far too much of that.
There is simply an unspoken acceptance ... of sad smokers, broken Christmas Spirits and people wanting to find a job under the Tree this year ... or perhaps a smile on a day designed for families ... and nothing's going to happen for them.
The Dad nods to his kids and they flee to the Pool Table for seconds.
My voice cracks as I sing ... "Do you see what I see?"
Monty plays harder, pouring of sweat, giving them everything he's got.
Davy beats the living Hell out of the drums because nobody in this Bar needs any more of that ... having far exceeded their quota.
John kindly delivers solace to the wounds in the room, continuing his love like trance repeating his kind rhythms.
Before it's over, Dad huddles his kids and moves them outside ... embarrassed I think ... because this is all he can give them today ... maybe all they'll get for Christmas.
It doesn't matter.
We're giving everything we can.
They've taken what they need.
As the open the door to leave, brilliant sunshine pours into the darkness.
"A star! A star!" I sing ... "dancing in night."
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If you care to help, you can find Bar Church at www.gofundme.com/tybeebarchurch
Thank you and Happy Christmas!
