WONDER IN CAROLS

Greetings -

This is WONDER IN CAROLS:

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 is on a mission to put together a CHRISTmas caroling ensemble.

Ms. Potent is mean. Four boys, Ahab, Manasseh, Josiah, and Saul are the neighborhood “toughs.” They go to Ms. Potent’s house to harass her relentlessly. She, on occasion, comes out, and angrily shouts at the youths.

Emmanuel Hosanna and his family moved next door to Ms. Potent on Thanksgiving weekend. The Hosanna’s are Christians who deeply love being righteous, and obedient to God.

Emmanuel is a compassionate child. He observes how Ms. Potent is taunted by the four boys, and how she responds in anger. This deeply troubles Emmanuel. Initially, he thinks it best to leave the matter, and to mind his own business.

Near Christmas, as Emmanuel prays, the Lord speaks to him about Ms. Potent.

The Lord asks 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 goes to her house to show her love.

She does not receive him warmly.

Emmanuel will not be deterred.

Gradually, Ms. Potent opens up to him and begins to look forward to his visits.

Emmanuel tells her about the love of Jesus as he helps her with her chores.

Meanwhile, the four boys keep up their harassment of Ms. Potent. But they begin to wonder about Emmanuel. “What is up with him,” they want to know. They ask Emmanuel why he bothers to help the mean unfriendly widow.

Emmanuel explains that he is a Christian whose love for God enables him to love all people and to demonstrate love with actions.

The boys cannot understand but begin to feel ashamed of how they treat Ms. Potent.

Weeks before CHRISTmas, Mr. Fervent, has decided to form a CHRISTmas choral ensemble from the people on Wonder Street. He posts flyers throughout the neighborhood.

Mr. Fervent came up with the idea to sing many of the classic carols, but wants a new carol written, to be sang with the old favorites.

Mr. Fervent remembers the four boys who are the “toughs” on the block. He approaches them about joining the CHRISTmas caroling team.

To his surprise, one of the boys begins to sing, “Silent Night.” The boy has pipes that resound with melodic splendor!

Mr. Fervent looks up in praise to God. Mr. Fervent finds that all of the boys can carry a tune.

They agree to join for caroling.

Emmanuel is still presenting Ms. Potent with love. Eventually, he loves the mean right out of her.

She gives her life to CHRIST. Later she shares 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 is still busy with his caroling agenda. Progress is steadily being made. He almost has enough people – he desires two more participants. Also, the new carol has not yet been written. It is close to the performance dates, and he is finding it a challenge to find a writer for the new carol.

One day as Mr. Fervent passes by Ms. Potent’s home, he hears someone playing a piano. He knocks on the door, and discovers that it is Ms. Potent who is playing the instrument.

She has not played it for years.

Mr. Fervent seeks her advice about the composition of a new CHRISTmas carol. He also informs her of his desire to have two more people to join for the caroling performances.

Ms. Potent, a retired music teacher, volunteers to write the song, and to join the team. She recruits Emmanuel to be the last one (the last shall be first) to join.

Ms. Potent titles the new carol,"Love Gains in Every Season."  The name they all agree on for the carol ensemble is 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 October 7, 2008

Note: This is fiction but it could be true.