My husband had a kidney stone that needed attending to, and they scheduled him for a procedure on Christmas Eve Day. The nurse told me to fill his prescription for pain at the pharmacy next to Friendly’s. I thought I knew where she meant. I didn’t. I walked out of the hospital and wound up at a Walgreens that had bars across the prescription area. They kindly explained that I needed to go back to the hospital to fill the script unless I wanted to wait for 2 hours. I left.
Now, I have the directional instincts of a gnat, so I took a wrong turn out of the pharmacy and before I knew it, I was walking into the city, in dimming light, and I could not see the hospital because of the buildings. I had no idea which direction I should travel in. At one point I walked past an abandoned house that had a man just standing in an empty window, looking down on the street. My imagination was working overtime, and I got scared. It was cold and dark, and as I passed a neighborhood bar, a man walked out. He was about five feet tall and was a little unsteady on his feet. He spoke no English, and I had no Spanish, but he recognized the word “hospital,” and kindly took my arm to lead me where I needed to be. When we got there, I tried to give him some money, which he waved away. He wished me Feliz Navidad and walked back into the city. His name was Felipe, and he was my Christmas miracle.
Hopefully this year will have less drama but carry the same light and sense of wonder I experienced on that street so many years ago. West Suffield Congregational’s bright new doors will be open, the organ is magnificent, and the choir is ready. The children will be having their pageant at 10 a.m. on December 17. We set it up in such a way that any child attending can participate without practice time, as we will have hosts of angels, shepherds, and kings costumes to share. Since Christmas Eve is on a Sunday, we are having two services: one at 10 a.m. and one at 5 p.m. We sing Christmas carols before service every week during Advent, then we light the candles in our wreath and return to the Advent Season worship.
Join us, come sing, come giggle with the children, or come to rest and renew with the hope that Christmas brings. Blessings on your day.