A bird in the balcony

Christmas Eve I took the children to an early candlelight service at a church we've been to a time or two. The freezing temperature and the early darkness made me a little skittish about trying anything later.
We found a place in the uncharacteristically crowded parking lot and I remembered my promise to someone who asked me not to snicker at the folks who get all dressed up and go to church but once a year.
Daughter bird ran ahead and announced that this year she would NOT be sitting in the balcony. "I want to sit with the regular congregants" she sang as she skipped "like I do every Sunday when I am away at College."
Fair enough. The boy and I will sit in the balcony "in case he can't handle the whole thing" she finished my sentence for me...we agreed to meet in the *lobby* when the service was over.
We got our order of worship and our candles and made our way up to the balcony, where several families were gathered with children who clearly might not make it through the "whole thing". Crayons and coloring books and other Waiting devices were piled next to the bibles and hymnals.
He noticed that the program was several pages long and pulled a pencil out of his jacket pocket. When things get LONG and grownup, it is useful to have a pencil to check things off as you go as see just how far you've been.
We sort of sang the opening hymn, thoroughly enjoyed the sacred dancing (although his shouts of BRAVO during the clapping afterwards produced more than a few of The Looks from the fine upstanding once a year atendees...I didn't snicker though, not even once. Y'all would have been So Proud.)
We put our money in the collection plate as the children's choir sang sweetly.
The baby Jesus was carried to the manger scene and the boy stepped up to the edge of the balcony for a closer look down. "Happy Birthday baby Jesus" he crowed, eliciting more and more Looks.
I patted the pew beside me and he returned to his seat.
He *gets it* I thought. Will WONDERS never cease!
We listened to the readings and sang another hymn. Then the minister stepped up and said "Let us PRAY." The boy said in a Rather Loudish Sort of Stage Whisper "OKAY now, fold your hands, be very very QUIET and LISTEN!"
Giggles from the regular congregants. Looks from people who thought they were being told what to do.
Still, I did not snicker.
The minister prayed. We sat quietly, hands folded, and listened.
I prayerfully joined in the AMEN and added my silent thanks for an appropriate, full sentence, in CONTEXT, in CHURCH.
The lights were turned out in the church and the flame was passed, candle to candle through the pews. When all the candles were lit, the organist began the intro and we all sang
Silent Night
Holy Night
All is Calm
All is Bright....

It was absolutely Heavenly.

At the close of the service, when the candles were blown out and placed in the baskets and people were leaving, we waited in the lobby for Sister. She shouted from the center of the sanctuary..."hey Mom, How did he DO?" Before I could answer he yelled "great JOB. Good Listening!" A ripple of giggles rang out around us. "Oh" she sang back "GOD will be So Proud!"

Just at that moment it was our turn in line to greet the Minister. The boy bird grabbed his hand and shook it quite enthusiastically. "Merry Christmas!" sang the boy bird.

Merry Christmas indeed.

Comments

[Jenika]

Thank for you for such a beautiful post. Your children are wonderful.

[caroline]

what a beautiful, heart-of-christmas story, Greta! I send you hugs for a wonderful new year...

[Celia]

As usual, your post has me in tears. Good tears. Happy New Year, Greta. May your life continue to be enriched by your children.

[Rachael]

Remember when we talked about your poetry? Oh, honey....

[sUsAn]

I love your retellings, Greta...very proud indeed.

[Melissa]

How wonderful, Greta. You should be amazing proud!

[April]

Greta -

It sounds like Boy Bird had a great time! If I were a member of that church, I would have been SO PLEASED to have an active participant in the service. I've been to services where everyone is asleep no one gets anything from that! But an active, special needs, attender that is GETTING IT! - that lifts the heart!

April

[Nathania]

I'm in love with your baby birds and I haven't even met them yet! You're such a blessing in my life, dear Greta. Your gifts overwhelmed me. Much, much love to you and yours. See you in person SOON!

[Christine]

What a lovely post. Happy Holidays to you and yours!