Wonder in Carols
Posted: Saturday, July 24, 2010
by Sandra Renee Hicks
Solid Journey
This is a story about the people on Wonder Street. The central figures on this street are the widow, Ms. Potent, her newly arrived neighbor, Emmanuel, and Mr. Fervent, a Christian, who was on a mission to put together a Christmas caroling ensemble.
Ms. Potent was mean. Four boys, Ahab, Manasseh, Josiah, and Saul were the neighborhood "toughs." They would go to Ms. Potent's house to harass her relentlessly. She would, on occasion, come out, and angrily shout at the youths.
Emmanuel was a compassionate child. He observed how Ms. Potent was taunted by the four boys, and how she responded in anger. This deeply troubled Emmanuel. Initially, he thought it best to leave the matter, and to mind his own business.
Near Christmas, as Emmanuel prayed, the Lord spoke to him about Ms. Potent.
The Lord asked Emmanuel, "Is not Ms. Potent My business, and are you not to be about your Father's business?"
The Lord gave Emmanuel guidance as to how to demonstrate love to Ms. Potent.
Emmanuel received permission from his parents to visit Ms. Potent.
He went to her house to show her love.
She did not receive him warmly.
Emmanuel would not be deterred.
Gradually, Ms. Potent opened up to him and began to look forward to his visits.
Emmanuel told her about the love of Jesus as he helped her with her chores.
Meanwhile, the four boys kept up their harassment of Ms. Potent. But they began to wonder about Emmanuel. "What is up with him," they wanted to know. They asked Emmanuel why he bothered to help the mean unfriendly widow.
Emmanuel explained that he was a Christian whose love for God enabled him to love all people and to demonstrate love with actions.
The boys could not understand but began to feel ashamed of how they treated Ms. Potent.
Weeks before Christmas, Mr. Fervent, had decided to form a Christmas choral ensemble from the people on Wonder Street. He posted flyers throughout the neighborhood.
Mr. Fervent came up with the idea to sing many of the classic carols, but wanted a new carol written, to be sung with the old favorites.
Mr. Fervent remembered the four boys who were the "toughs" on the block. He approached them about joining the Christmas caroling team.
To his surprise, one of the boys began to sing, "Silent Night." The boy had pipes that resounded with melodic splendor!
Mr. Fervent looked up in praise to God. Mr. Fervent found that all of the boys could carry a tune.
They agreed to join for caroling.
Emmanuel was still presenting Ms. Potent with love. Eventually, he loved the mean right out of her.
She gave her life to Christ. Later she shared with Emmanuel bits of why she became so mean. She had been deeply hurt by many people, and she had used her mean-spiritedness to "cope."
In the meantime, Mr. Fervent was still busy with his caroling agenda. Progress was steadily being made. He almost had enough people> He desired two more participants. Also, the new carol had not yet been written. It was close to the performance dates, and he was finding it a challenge to find a writer for the new carol.
One day as Mr. Fervent was passing by Ms. Potent's home, he heard someone playing a piano. He knocked on the door, and discovered that it was Ms. Potent who was playing the instrument.
She had not played it for years.
Mr. Fervent sought her advice about the composition of a new Christmas carol. He also informed her of his desire to have two more people to join for the caroling performances.
Ms. Potent, a retired music teacher, volunteered to write the song, and to join the team. She recruited Emmanuel to be the last one (the last shall be first) to join.
Ms. Potent titled the new carol," Love Gains in Every Season." The name they all agreed on for the carol ensemble was " Sure Waters."
On performance days, " Sure Waters" sang impressively, and belted out the tunes with gusto, and much enthusiasm. Several times requests came forth for encores of "Love Gains in Every Season."
Thanks be unto God who says in His word "his waters shall be sure." (Isaiah 33:16 KJV).
Copyright 2010
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