Christmas Bell Medley – Mandisa
Year 15
"We'll close out tonight's service with Silent Night. Sang by our very own Erin Avery. Please join us…"
Erin made her way to the front of the stage. She was in her Christmas best, even having gone shopping for a new dress for the service.
She sang a Capella.
Silent night
All is calm, All is bright
Round young virgin, Mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, Holy night
Shepherds quake
At the sight
Glories stream from Heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born
Silent night, Holy night
Son of God, Love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus Lord, at thy birth
Jesus Lord, at thy birth
When she was done the entire sanctuary was eerily silent. One of the few things that could be heard was April's sniffling and the extra packed sanctuary beginning to shuffle out. Jackson pulled her into his arms and held her, letting the tears fall. She did a beautiful job with the song she had been practicing for weeks now. He couldn't believe that was his daughter either.
"She was so good." Jackson remarked in awe, looking over his wife's shoulder, trying to spot her. She was being interrupted by a million families they had all known forever, since attending that church together.
"She is amazing. She's so good and mature for just 14 years old. I can't believe that was our baby." She breathed, looking back at her daughter who was in a friendly conversation with Mr. and Mrs. King and their son David.
Catherine was in a conversation with Joe and Karen Kepner and it was something to have to do with religion that they were in the middle of. They'd gotten terribly used to each other and their beliefs over the years, their theological conversations were always friendly and thought-provoking.
April's sisters were gathering their kids and husbands and ushering them out of the sanctuary toward the narthex. The whole clan was in Seattle for Christmas.
Catherine found April and gave her a tight hug, then whispered in her ear, "Good people raising their babies right."
That was the biggest compliment April ever received from Catherine. She took it to heart.
They arrived back at the Avery house just after 9 pm. This was the first year that none of the kids believed in Santa, Colin broke the news accidentally one day in early September when he went on a rant about the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy and Santa all being made up. It broke April's heart a little bit but she knew it was coming.
"So looks like those voice lessons are really paying off." Richard beamed at his granddaughter. They were his birthday present to her since he knew she had a voice just like her mother but never decided to take lessons.
Erin grinned, "I love going to lessons Grandpa. I sing at church a couple weeks from now too. Are you going to come?"
Richard shook his head. "I would love to sweetheart but your Grandma and I will be in Europe. Next time?"
Erin nodded, she seemed happy with that.
Karen interrupted, "Do you sweetie? Maybe one of you can record it for us."
April stopped her. "Mom, you know there are no phones allowed in church. Even for recording." She said sternly, looking mostly at her two boys to reinforce the policy. Karen shrugged.
"Mom, do we have a vase for these?" Erin jumped up, holding the pink roses her Grandpa Richard gave her after church and the yellow roses from the Kepner side. They were gorgeous. April nodded. "It's in the top shelf. Have one of the boys get it for you if you can't reach."
Graycin jumped up to get the vase, he was already taller than his father was even. April knew he was taking after Big Joe.
Colin counted the people in their living room. "There are 19 of us. That's a big family." He laughed, telling Jackson. He agreed. He grew up with three people around for holidays, sometimes. It was weird not having Harper around, but he died a couple of years ago after a brief battle with lung cancer.
"I think we should make a circle and all share one of our favorite Christmas moments." Karen smiled, gesturing toward the living room where they could all sit. It wasn't Jackson's thing but it's where his family was so it's where he was.
Karen insisted on going first. "This is mine. The whole family is here, and for that, I'm thankful."
Everyone smiled and the torch was passed to Big Joe. April jumped up to grab the sugar cookies and coffee from the kitchen. Joe had his. "My favorite Christmas moment was what… over 50 years ago. Right Karen?" He asked his wife, trying to remember. They were both pushing 80 these days and memories were slipping. Karen knew which one he was talking about though, so she confirmed it.
"It was the Christmas we spent at my Mom's house, the year before she died. She got to see all of you girls and I had never seen her so happy." He choked up, wiping his eyes quickly at the memory of his Mom and his four girls and the pictures they got. It was dear to him.
Jackson was sitting next to Big Joe. "Mine… Mine was the year we went to Moline. And Grandma and Grandpa (he motioned toward his Mom and Richard) got to meet us out there too. We got to see all the animals and see how Mom used to have Christmas. Do you guys remember that?"
They all agreed in unison. They always talked about that Christmas. They had only been out to Moline once for Christmas a few years ago. It was hard with all of their schedules. They'd gone on many occasions throughout the rest of the year but making it out for holidays always took a lot of effort.
The torch was passed along to every member of the Kepner/Avery family, until everyone got the chance to share their favorite Christmas memory.
After a while, the kids retreated to their spots in one of the bedrooms, and the adult couples went to the other bedrooms in the house that the kids had graciously offered up.
April and Jackson were the last ones up, making sure everyone else was taken care of. As they walked past the bedroom all three of their kids were sharing they overheard their conversation. "I'm grateful for the day I don't have to share a bedroom anymore with you two idiots." Erin laughed as she was saying it and it was immediately followed up by her brothers laughing too.
"We could not have asked for better kids." April sang to her husband as they walked to their room. He agreed, pulling her hand into his as they walked on.