ANDERSON, Ind. —
The Christmas season is a perfect occasion for special music. But who knew how special a guest musician would be for several youngsters.
Our church had a guest harpist on this particular Sunday morning, a girl from Anderson University by the name of Heaven Fan. She did a magnificent job of handling a complex instrument. But back to the story.
The harp was located back near the choirloft, making visibility difficult, especially for diminutive youngsters. Promptly one mother brought her young son to the front row; he scooted toward the middle where he could get a glimpse of Heaven.
Shortly after that his brother joined him. Then another girl slipped into the front row for a better look. A little later here came two more girls. The youngsters sat entranced with the strains of Christmas music coming from the large instrument onstage.
Later the kids were dismissed for their weekly Godly Play experience. But I’m convinced the experience they had already had would be hard to top.
He probably didn’t realize it at the time, but it’s a good observation that the first little boy started a fan club. Or maybe it would be more accurate in this case to call it a Fan club.
Then, less than a week later, the happiness of the season was interrupted by the unthinkable. A score of children in Newtown, Conn., about the age of those in that church service, and a half dozen adults trying to protect them were sent to the next realm by one man’s totally irrational act of violence.
Christmas is all about the children. It springs from the celebration of the birth of a child some 20-plus centuries ago. And the trappings of the season are easily assimilated by young minds captivated with holiday strains wafting from harps, mandolins, guitars, pianos and organs, with candles and tinsel and tiny lights on a dark night. And with greenery and decorated trees and mixes of red and green. With choirs and soloists telling and retelling the story of the birth of a baby in the most unlikely surroundings, whose coming was heralded by the highest and lowest of creatures.
It is a happy season. Christmas is not supposed to be a time of heartache as it will be for more than two dozen Connecticut families this year.
I expect parents will hug their children a little tighter this year as the youngsters greet Christmas morning (or Christmas Eve, according to your wont) with expectation and unwrap their presents with eagerness and glee.
But 20 children’s presents will be unopened on Christmas morning this year. And all of our understandable questions will go unanswered; there are no answers that make any sense.
But in my mind’s eye I see the 20 Newtown kids happily experiencing their first glimpse of heaven, eagerly awaiting eternal reunion with their parents in what amounts to the blink of an eye.
Jim Bailey’s column appears on Wednesday. He can be reached by email at jameshenrybailey@earthlink.net.
Columns
Related Photos
-
Jim Bailey
Discussion
Jim Bailey: Christmas offers two different glimpses of Heaven this year
- Columns
-
-
Jim Bailey: Gospel concerts both fun, ministry
What’s really important is the impact of a concert on the audience. Gauging that often comes from feedback received in the electronic media as well as handwritten communiqués.
-
Emmett Dulaney: First sports marketing camp starts in June
For the first time, Anderson University is offering a summer camp for high school students who are interested in learning about the field of sports marketing.
-
Charo Boyd: Social Security honors all who serve
Every day of the year, Americans across the nation remember friends and family members who have served and sacrificed for their country. Memorial Day is a day when we all come together to honor those who have given their lives in the defense of freedom and the principles we hold dear in this country.
-
Scott Underwood: Spring brings new athletic inspiration
Spring is a great time for sports in the Madison County area. In addition to high school softball, baseball, tennis, track and field, and golf, younger kids and older folks are out and about participating in sports.
-
Maureen Hayden: Indiana’s liquor laws are confusing to consumers
I’m not much a drinker, so I haven’t spent much time thinking about how Indiana’s alcohol laws personally impact me, but that changed last fall when my daughter got married.
- Brinduse story full of war and laughter
-
Big Joe Clark column: Competing with tax policy difficult in a changing world
Years ago, I received valuable insight into the eyes of the Internal Revenue Service.
A client was being audited, and I saw the writing on the wall of the financial impact if the fines were truly assessed. -
Maleah Stringer: Pets, like humans, can get better with age
As I mentioned in the column last week the Animal Protection is full to the brim with wonderful adoptable pets. Unfortunately many of these pets are seniors, 8-plus-years-old.
-
Theresa Timmons: Covering the bases but not always in order
The weather had finally warmed up, and it made for a sticky Tuesday. The 6 p.m. sun was drooping in the sky, but it still packed a hot punch -—enough to start the oversized bobbleheads sweating under their brand new un-faded baseball hats.
-
Verna Davis: God gives us reasons to wake up each morning
Last Monday, I had a good morning. It started bright and early at my 8:15 doctor’s appointment. (I know that 8:15 a.m. is not bright and early to a lot of you. But to a night owl like me, 8:15 comes way, way too soon for me to be cheerful about a doctor’s appointment!)
- More Columns Headlines
-
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
Former Rep. Weiner Running for New York Mayor
Jodi Arias: Death Penalty Would Cause More Pain
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Families Begin Returning to Their Homes in Moore
Raw: Aerial View of Moore Tornado Damage
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Raw: Students Clash With Police in Chile
Protests Outside Cincinnati IRS Office
New Xbox One Entertainment Console Unveiled
