EPILOGUE

The following Sunday evening, Randy sat in the front seat of the crowded church, watching his daughter play the role of Mary. People lined every pew in the sanctuary, as the actors and actresses performed their roles. Another young girl played the role of the angel announcing the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. The rest of the teenagers played the angelic choir. When the “herald angel” announced the birth of Jesus to the “shepherds,” the “angel choir” sang a song based on the familiar verse in Luke. Outside, snow drifted to the ground, forming a thick blanket.

All the while, Randy leaned against the back of the pew, eyes fixed on the actors and singers, and on his daughter, in particular. A proud smile lit up his face; Kristen’s own face glowed.

The pageant ended with a rousing rendition of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.“ When the song ended, Kristen shed her costume and draped it over the manger. Her father enfolded her in his arms, beaming. “Sweetheart, you did a great job!” Tears wet his face as he hugged her.

A grinning Tess approached them. Turning Kristen loose, Randy turned to her and clasped her hands. “You were right, Tess.” He put his left arm around Kristen’s shoulders. “We would have missed out on so much if we hadn’t come here. And if I’d refused to celebrate Christmas.” He hugged Kristen against his side. “Kristen, here, would have certainly suffered. I didn’t realize, till very lately, how all this was affecting her.”

Monica stepped up next to Tess. “The pageant is a vehicle God has used to honor and focus on the birth of His Son. And He is pleased with the way everybody here took part.”

Tess nodded agreement. “The time is coming, Randy, when every believer will be forced into hiding, but for now, you can still worship God and talk about Him, to an extent. And for now, the support group can still meet, to support and pray for one another. This is a time to rejoice that God loves you enough to send you such a gift.”

Monica nodded agreement, her pearl earrings bobbing and gleaming in the overhead light. “And He sends messengers in times of trouble, to help you and to remind you of God’s love. He will be dispatching us everywhere during the next several years, because the need will be greater than it’s ever been.”

Randy nodded. “I want to thank you. Both of you. If it hadn’t been for you coming to us, I might never have seen what I was doing.”

Smiling at Kristen, he helped her put on her coat, then donned his own. Still smiling, he led her out the front door. Peace filled his heart as he and Kristen climbed into his car. Times might get very bad in the near future, but for this Christmas season, there was the gift of God’s peace, delivered by angels. And he and Kristen would be exchanging some materials gifts a few days hence.

Tomorrow, I mean to do some Christmas shopping, Randy thought. Christmas Day is approaching, and we need to start getting ready. Kristen fastened her seat belt as he turned on the ignition. A dove flew overhead, cooing.

THE END

©2003, by Kathryn D. Green

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