FOLLOW THAT STAR - IF YOU DARE!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I debated on which Christmas story to blog this year – there are soooo many in my 73 plus years!! Some were magical, some sad, some comedic, but all were special.  This one however, is one of my very favorites: kinda combines all of them.  I hope it brings a smile to you as the busy day(s) wind down 😊

When Dan and I were married, we were continually active in Southeast Christian Church in Columbus. Married there twice (gulp), I was still a deaconess and Dan a deacon.  It was the church my sister Lisa and Sara and Marty grew up in and still holds many great memories for me.  This Christmas one though is quite special.

Her name was Brenda.  She was a fellow member of the church and CWF (Christian Women’s’ Fellowship) when I got to know her.  Small groups are the BEST ❤️ Brenda was a gentle soul…quiet in the general public but fun and sweet in our small group.  She and her husband George were very active in the church, so it didn’t surprise me that she was put in charge of the Christmas Program for young Sunday Schoolers one year.  However, she was a bit terrified: not of the children, but of putting on the play on the Sunday before Christmas.  You see…the men’s Sunday School was invited to cancel their regular class that day and attend the service to share in the word through the voice of the young.  Why a bit terrified you ask?  Let’s just say…the men’s group was a BIT temperamental.  Not mean…just set in their ways (small groups ARE GREAT🤭).  Word got back via the grapevine that they would come…but a bit begrudgingly.  Several of the men were rather aged (like fine wine😊) and quite frankly could put some consternation in one, especially if that someone was getting a group of rambunctious children to make everyone feel the magic of Christmas.  But God love her…she worked at it!  Hard.  The title of the play was "The Christmas Star"⭐️, and Brenda worked tirelessly to get costumes done, made sure every child had a part and knew their lines – especially the last part that had to go off without incident.  I offered my help but didn’t interfere (surprise😆). It was a great growth opportunity for her in her spiritual journey.  I just prayed everything would go off perfectly.  Perfect…what a loaded word.

On the Sunday of the performance, Brenda was a wreck.  She was confident in the children – but more afraid of what was going to be the reaction of the men’s group.  We took our seats on the opposite side of the area “reserved” for them.  I wanted to keep eye contact with her to assure her that no matter what, it would be fine.  They were children. It would be beautiful.  After the opening hymn and prayer, Brenda and the children were on.  She was onstage, facing the crowd, but slightly away from the performers. All was quiet except for the sound of someone(s) clearing their throat loudly. Oh my.  But as I thought, the play went on without a hitch.  It was a recreation of the shepherds in the field who saw a star - THE star - and Brenda had made signs with  beautiful gold letters (spelling out STAR) that four children were to hold up at the end before the final hymn (everyone was to then join in).  She had rehearsed that part over and over: how to stand next to that certain person and hold those signs high and in tandem to “make the statement”.  And a statement was made...

The kids DID line up next to who s/he was supposed to…but in reverse.  Instead of STAR…the signs read:

  RATS

Ohhhhhhh nooooooo!!!! 

Have you ever seen a person’s face alternate with red and green in front of a congregation of hundreds of folks (at least it was seasonal – quite the achievement!)?? I thought she was going to faint! 🤯 It was total silence.  Total.  And then a muffled guffaw...a snicker…followed by the sound of a single clap - and then more joining in - from the men’s group section!!! And suddenly the whole congregation started clapping, and all started singing “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night”. 

Red and green can certainly change back into flesh color just by the power of love, togetherness and rejoicing!

May you dwell on the meaning of that star today and every day as we continue to await His coming.  Love and peace to you all!!!