Christmas Spirit

I found myself in church on Christmas Eve waiting for the service to start. I got used to this with the Christmases we spent with Grandma Kann in California. Grandma got us to church so early, I don't even consider it early. It was an hour before the service started, so it was more like Grandma's social hour. About 45 mintues before the service, the Christmas songs started; before you knew it, the Christmas service would start. Grandma had the experience to know that if you arrived less than 30 minutes early to St. James on Christmas Eve, you would find yourself standing in the back. And that is not acceptable.

This was a new experience for me (arriving to church on time) before our time with Grandma Kann. Every Christmas Eve prior, the Volkmanns (all six of us) would pile in the station wagon or Volkmann-mobile and arrive just in time to file in the back (if there were still seats open). But sometimes we found ourselves unfolding chairs so we didn't have to stand the whole time.

Fast forward to December 24, 2008. Michelle and Benny arrived 15 minutes early only to see the previous Christmas service attendees leaving the chapel. So we had 15 minutes until the service was set to start. There is a lot of praying one can do in 15 minutes. The chaplain walked by, wished us Merry Christmas, stopped and smiled (still looking at us) before asking "Can you do the third reading for us tonight?" "Sure," Benny responded confidently. "Great thanks, Luke Chapter 2, verses 1-7. Then you two will light the third advent candle (third candle signifies love)." "Both of us?" Benny confirmed. "Yes, both of you will go up there for the reading and candle lighting," Chaps responded.

Time out here. You know when you get that feeling that the preacher is talking directly to you? Litterally, yes. But when he is addressing the whole congregation and you still feel he is talking directly to you is what I am talking about. This was one of those times, where I'm pretty sure the big man upstairs had something to do with how this all unfolded.

Of all the readings, five in all, Luke 2:1-7 is the part of the Christmas story that describes Joesph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem. Of course Mary is with child (exhibit A, Michelle with child) and Jesus is born in the barn and wrapped in swaddling clothes. Of all the readings, there could not have been a better one for us to read.

The other reason we knew the big man upstairs had something to do with this: The music tied to the reading was Ava Maria (exhibit B, one of our wedding songs). Many of you didn't see me before I walked down the aisle to meet Michelle at the altar at our wedding, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't have goosebumps about that biggest milestone of my life to date. In fact, I still get goosebumps at the sound of Ava Maria, as it reminds me not only of Mary and Jesus, but also of that awesome day in October, and how awesome and blessed we have been since.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and wonderful 2009, and hope the holiday spirit has touched you as it has us this Christmas.