Christmas Angels

By Kay Heitsch

By Kay Heitsch

One of my favorite Christmas memories was living in Dover, Ohio. My friend Ruth Ann, who has gone Home now, and I were in charge of getting "Angels" for the Christmas Eve service.

Several weeks before, we were busy calling teenage girls asking if they would like to be an "Angel" for the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Each girl we called was excited to be a part of the service.

The church was beautifully decorated by the altar committee. Jo Schilling, who has also gone Home now, was in charge. Everything looked wonderful.

The night of the service, the girls gathered in a room, putting on white gowns with a halo of gold tinsel on their heads. Each girl was given a long white unlit candle to carry. After they were all dressed and ready, they gathered in the narthex, waiting to walk in.

The night of the service was so touching. Music played softly, and the lights were turned down as each "Angel" walked down the long aisle with their unlit candle. As they came to the front of the church, our pastor, Rev Jim, stood with the "Christ's Candle," and the girls lit their candles off of it.

After lighting their candle, they went to the end of each row and lit the candle of the first person in the row. Then, as that person had their candle lit, they would light the candle of the person next to them.

After a few minutes, every candle in the church was glowing. Then, our organist, Linda, began playing "Silent Night," and everyone sang as we raised our candles in the air. Tears filled my eyes, and I'm sure others experienced the same loving feeling.

I had never been to a candlelight service, so this experience was new. I loved the symbolism this ceremony told. As we go to Christ, we receive His light/love. After we do, we light/touch the people around us, and His light/love continues.

I'll always remember this special Christmas memory. It has stayed with me all these years. I pray we will let His light shine for all the world.

Christmas Caroling

By Kay Heitsch

We spotted the porch light as we slowly drove down the street that cold December evening. "This must be the house." I told our "Positive Teens In Action" group.

We pulled up in front of an older home with a glowing porch light. We gathered our songbooks, walked up the steps, and knocked on the door. We heard a faint voice from inside say, "Come on in. The door is open." We opened the door.

An older woman with a big smile sat in a rocking chair. "I've been expecting you," she said weakly. Ruth was one of the Meals On Wheels stops I had arranged, along with the usual church members who enjoyed carolers.

We handed Ruth the basket of goodies the teens had assembled earlier that evening. Then I asked Ruth what carols she would like to hear. Ruth's face was beaming as she joined in, singing each song.

As we hugged Ruth goodbye, she said to me with tears glistening in her eyes, "The day you called, I was still in bed. I had just finished praying. I asked God if it would be possible to have some Christmas Carolers come to my home and sing this year. Thank you for being the answer to my Christmas prayer."

Our Bible verse says. When you pray, go to your room, close the door, and pray to your unseen Father. And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you. Matthew 6:6

Wow, what an incredible experience to have the opportunity to be the answer to someone's Christmas prayer.