A SONG OF LOVE
I want to tell you about my experience this morning that charged my Christmas
attitude! And I do really mean charged, not changed.
I went to church and the first person I saw was faithful Eloise Divers and
her companion, slowly coming up the walk. Next, the greeter had a cheerful red
blouse and a smile. I was overwhelmed by the calm feeling and quiet talk before
the service. It was like coming home to see some of my favorite seat companions
already in place. Several families who sit near me have three generations in the
church and all take an active part. There were also some new-comers of the past
year that are now part of the church family.
Then I saw something that made me wish for my camera.
A young mother was holding her son over her shoulder so his face was visible. He
was looking at something in the top of the church. His face and eyes were
bright. It was really a Christmas card moment. But the next happening brought
tears to my eyes. His grandfather, an usher, was returning to the pew and the
child held out his hands to him and almost jumped into his arms. It was a living
reminder of trust.
Next, I noticed the diversity of the congregation. There were children,
teenage girls actually dressed in suits, young college students with ties. Many
times, I see them there in jeans and shorts. Older folks who never give in to
their aches and pains, like Eulanee Hathaway. Many of the business people of our
town were partici-pating. There were at least 18 occupations and professions
that were represented. There were people who live in Calhoun County, but drive
to work in other areas. We also have the quiet people who are the attentive
audience. Any choir person will tell us that it is much more rewarding with an
audience.
Then the program started and the amazement continued. A teenager, Brianna
Blankenship, played “O Come, All Ye Faithful” on her trumpet. She was poised and
confident. Next was the REAL Christmas Story read by a real grandfather, Shirley
Fitzwater, sitting in a rocking chair with the small children around him on the
floor. This was the real thing, not acting!
Michael Bonar, a young career man, had come home to play the piano for the
singers. Stephanie Skedel, an elementary student, sang “What Child is This?”
accompanied on the guitar by Larry Springston. Amber Gannoe, another college
student, sang a folk type song, “O Mary Did You Know,” which asks Mary if she
knew beforehand about giving birth to a son that would rule the world. I was
looking for tissues again.
About this time, there was a glitch in the sound system and strange things
were happening. We all forgot the tissues and enjoyed the consternation of the
choir and laughed with them.
We did settle down again as John Oshoway sang “O Holy Night,” not just from
his heart, but his whole being. I looked to see if the roof was being raised.
The program ended with the singing of these words: “He started the whole
world singing a song. The words and the music were there all along!” What the
song had to say was that love found a way to start the world singing a song.
I wish you all a blessed Christmas and New Year, joining in the singing of
the song of Love.