It was not surprising. The church was filled to capacity on
Christmas Eve. Folks who showed up once or twice a year were there. The “Specialty Christians” she had dubbed
them. Usually felt the call on Easter
and Christmas. But it was good that they
were there. Perhaps this service, this congregation, would ignite the thought
to come more often.
Her oldest son sat beside her husband at the end of
the pew. Daughter in law and younger son
to her right. Young granddaughter roamed
between them all. Her granddaughter’s
mommy was in the choir loft, readying to sing her solo part with the a cappella
group.
The service was lovely. The sanctuary filled with red Poinsettias,
beautiful words and music. Young
granddaughter sang along, not knowing most of the words. Communion proved to be
a challenge, but forgetting the bread, granddaughter entertained herself with
the neighbors behind them. And then, the long awaited ending. Rows of candleholders singing “Silent Night.” She was reluctant, at first, to hold a
lighted candle…for fear of her granddaughter torching the lady sitting in front
of them. But her son gave her an encouraging nod and she shared the candle
flame with her husband.
For a few moments, it became a tug of war with her
granddaughter over who was to hold the candle.
The rights fell to the grandmother who was holding her granddaughter
with one arm and the candle with the empty hand. Soon the granddaughter was in awe of the warm
candle glow throughout the sanctuary. “Ooh,
it’s dark,” she said, as she looked up at the ceiling and out through the wavy window
glass reflecting the lights on the Chrismon Tree.
Perhaps it was a combination of the softness and the
majesty of the evening, but as the grandmother looked at the reflection of the single
candle light in her granddaughter’s eyes, she shed a tear for the hope that
Christmas brings. Her granddaughter
would never be this sweet, beautiful age again, but the memory of this evening
and the wonder of Christ’s birth would live on.
“Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.”
Psalm 97:11.
