Today Diane and I attended church at Grace Baptist Church to watch Daniel, Jennifer, Cedric, Lydia, and Jeran light the Prophecy Candle for Advent. Diane and I thought it would be pretty simple, but all five of them had a part and all of them made us proud.

They were lined up in front of the congregation, behind the advent candles … from left to right there stood Jennifer, Jeran, Lydia, Cedric, and Daniel. Jennifer began by introducing the concept of Advent, Jeran explained that the first advent candle is the Prophecy Candle, Lydia recited Isaiah 9:2-6, Cedric said a prayer, and Daniel lit the candle. Not all at once, mind you, but one after the other, left to right.

Doesn’t sound like much, does it? But having our Daughter and family standing up there doing this emphasized to us what this season is all about. In addition to celebrating the birth of Jesus, it’s about family.

Jennifer has a great speaking voice, and set the pace. Jeran jumped right in with his part and did an awesome job. After a short pause, Lydia looked out at the congregation and recited her part, then Cedric finished the narrative with a prayer while Daniel lit the candle. A well done for all. Jeran’s voice is steady and sure, Lydia has a voice like Diane’s, and Cedric’s voice has changed into a booming baritone.

Back to Lydia for a moment – I kept expecting her to look down at her paper, but she didn’t have one. Nothing to fall back on. But she didn’t need it. I later learned that she had to read the passage a total of three times before she could do it without looking. Quite impressive, I thought, because it’s a lot of words, just like these …

² The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
³ You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
⁴ For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
⁵ Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
⁶ For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

The service was excellent and we enjoyed it immensely.

After the service everyone excited to the common area and enjoyed an excellent spaghetti lunch, followed by a dessert auction. Not wanting any dessert, we observed for a short while, then departed for home where I had to work on getting Diane’s computer back online. I jerrie rigged a few things, admittedly, but it only has to work until next Thursday when Comcast is hooked up. Then it’s all going to change again. So, for now, I’ve got cables running all over the place. As long as we don’t go into the basement, none of them pose a trip hazard.

Now I must stop and eat supper. Diane just showed up with something from Burgerville after taking her Mom home.