Christmas Angels

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.

Cabbage Patch Dolls

By Kay Heitsch (Funny Story)

Do you remember "Cabbage Patch" dolls? Years ago, those dolls were a big rage. Everyone wanted one, and the stores could not keep them in stock.

To get a doll, people were given a "rain check" they could use when a new supply came in. Even though Bill, my husband, was the General Store Manager of K-Mart, I did not get any special treatment.

I stood with my rain check, waiting to get a Cabbage Patch doll with everyone else. Listening to people whine and complain while waiting for their dolls was interesting.

Finally, I couldn't stand it anymore, so I added to the conversation. With a straight face, shaking my head in disbelief, I spoke up, "You'll never believe this, but I actually slept with the manager of this store, and I'm still standing in line!" You could have heard a pin drop!