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Chapter Seventy-eight

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Advent and Beautiful Music

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Nathan and Allie entered the church sanctuary to find a large group of young people and adults seated and awaiting instructions. As they slipped into a seat beside Sally and Rachel, Ardis Ross turned around and stood beside Jane Samuels facing the gathered volunteers. Ardis blushed and nodded at Nathan and Allie, then turned her attention to the task at hand.

"Welcome volunteers, both younger and older! Thank you for coming today. With all these helping hands this job will be done in no time. For those that may not know me, I am Miss Ardis Ross, the Art Teacher at St. Anne's Academy and I am one of the chairwomen in charge of the decorating committee. Beside me is Mrs. Jane Samuels, my co-chair! Once we assign you various tasks, please find either of us for any questions? Jane?"

"Yes, welcome to you all. As in previous years, we have garlands, ribbons, wreaths and swags of greens, in addition to the two large Christmas trees that you see on either side of the platform. Please note that those trees should look as similar as possible? Ardis or I will circulate and let you know if we must make adjustments. Our theme this year is simply red and green, with the addition of some pinecones, so that should help us stay coordinated. Now, the plan is to hang the large wreaths on both sets of the front double doors of the main entrance in the high tower as well as on the low tower doors and the outside door of the side entry." Jane nodded at Ardis.

"Our plan is to hang the oversize wreath in the center front of the speaker panels, so we need some tall adult men to handle that!" Ardis instructed. "From the balcony, you can see hooks already in place for the garlands and red ribbon bows. A swag of greens and a red ribbon should be tied on the very first pew and on the last, whichever aisle you see. Try to match those as well, please? Garlands of greens should be draped across the low walls in front of the choir loft and along the curved stairs on either side. Now." Ardis waved her hand to draw everyone's attention to the stacked greens. "You will see that the greens are laid out down here in front on white sheets, so please do your best to contain the falling needles to those sheets to save our custodian extra work later this afternoon? Thank you all."

"Also, remember the ladies guild is serving Christmas cookies in the fellowship hall after we complete our tasks." Jane reminded everyone. "That's something to look forward to! Now, let me first get the menfolk for the wreath hanging? Jon will guide you all on that."

As Ardis and Jane pointed to him, Nathan stood and made his way to Jon Samuels, along with Josiah Blake and a tall, blonde young man. Josiah proudly introduced Nathan to his son, Jared, who was equally pleased to meet Allie Grant's father.

"Hello, Jared. I am pleased to meet you. Allie mentioned you when you sent a gift for her birthday a few weeks back." Nathan extended his hand, even as he made a quick assessment of the handsome young man.

"I am glad to meet you, Sir. Yes, Allie and I have become friends at Youth Group. She is a lovely young lady." Jared colored slightly because that comment slipped out before he thought about it.

"Well, Jared. We agree on that for sure. I don't recall seeing you at the Sunday services. Do you attend?"

"Oh, yes, I do, Sir. As an older teen, I assist with the junior high boys group on Friday nights and those who attend church without their parents sit together in the balcony most Sundays. I am one of the helpers, or at least I try to be!" Jared pointed to the section, adding. "We sit over there."

"Ah ha. I will take note from the choir loft now that I know!" Nathan clapped his hands, rubbing them together. "So tell us what to do, Jon? Josiah?"


Allie watched nervously as her Dad met Jared on the other side of the church. All she could do was hope it went well! Soon, she heard Miss Ross call her name and request that she, Sally, Rachel and Ellie Blake work on the trees. Once your fathers are finished with the high jobs, maybe they can assist with the upper parts of the trees. Jared can probably help with that as well."

Since Jane and Ardis had been responsible for a few years now, the decorating went well and the sanctuary was looking like Christmas in no time.

Nathan and Jared did join Allie and her friends, assisting with the trees. As he always did at home, Nathan draped an ornament over each ear and made believe he didn't know what the girls were giggling about when they noticed. Allie blushed with embarrassment, but since even Jared was enjoying the antics, she finally relaxed and joined the laughter, much to her father's delight.

Unbeknownst to Allie, Jared had slyly draped a twig of greenery on top of her head and as he watched, Nathan grinned, thinking to himself. 'This fella's got potential!'

Ardis had created a lovely arrangement of evergreens, holly, pinecones and red ribbons for the altar table and placed white pillar candles of differing heights interspersed with additional greens. Surveying the decorations she and Jane were satisfied that their vision had been realized, so they instructed the men about what needed to be gathered and cleaned up. When the sheets were rolled up and the ladders removed, the sanctuary was ready for the next few weeks of holiday services and everyone admired their accomplishments.


In the basement fellowship hall, the volunteers gathered around the tables of goodies and Nathan got to meet Steve and Barbara Barrows, known to the Youth Group as Mr. and Mrs. B.

"I am so happy to meet you both. I am also thrilled that Allie has so enjoyed becoming a part of this group. It is such a challenge to relocate and find your place, you know? Thank you for your part in helping Allie settle-in." Nathan said as he shook their hands.

"Great to meet you, Sergeant Grant. I must admit that Allie hasn't needed much help. She has actually reached out to a few of the more quiet members and included them in our activities. You should be proud, Sir."

"Thank you for telling me this! I am so grateful for how Allie is living out the ideals we've strived to teach her. She is a blessing to me and I am grateful to know she is that to others as well!"

"Excuse me, Sergeant, you said "We've strived to teach her? I was under the impression that you were her only parent." Barbara Barrows inquired. "Am I wrong?"

"Did I say that?" Nathan blushed slightly. "I am her only parent. I guess I was thinking of her teacher back in Hope Valley. She used to help me when we first moved there and it was her kind assistance that allowed Allie to come out of her shell, overcome her fears and make friends for the first time." Nathan chuckled. "At times we worked in tandem."

"Well, that's a lovely tribute. Obviously whatever you have done has resulted in a lovely young lady, Sir." Steve Barrows responded.

"Thank you. I think so!" Nathan agreed. "Ahh… would you mind using my given name? Nathan? I don't need to be reminded of my Mountie position outside of Depot!"

"Gladly, Nathan. I am Steve and my wife is…Barbara?"

"Yes, please, Barbara is fine. In the Group though we are Mr. and Mrs. B. just so we are not too formal nor too familiar!"

After confirming the time to pick-up Ardis for dinner, Nathan and Allie said their goodbyes and returned to the Cottage to get ready for their special evening.


Allie had instructed her father on what she thought was best for him to wear and Nathan chuckled as he got dressed. He imagined this was what it would be like to have a wife!

"Oh Allie-girl! You look lovely. That dress is beautiful and that shade of teal blue is one of my favorites. I love that simple way you twist your hair on the sides too. Do I need to tie a ribbon or anything?"

"I don't think so, Dad." Allie glanced in the mirror by the front door, tilting her head from side-to-side. "I may be growing out of wearing so many ribbons. I want to just wear these hair-combs that Naomi gave me. I think the iridescence of the seashell picks up the color of my dress. Do you see it?"

"You know I do, Honey. Very nice." As Nathan adjusted his necktie, he asked, "So does this look alright? I want to make my girl proud!"

Allie tweaked his collar, tightened his necktie, patted his shoulder and gave her approval. "You always make me proud, Dad. Well, that is except for the tree ornament earrings this afternoon. That was a little embarrassing!"

"Are you joking? Everyone loved it! Even Jared." Nathan helped her with her overcoat. "Say, whatever happened to the sprig of greens you had on your head?"

Allie turned around quickly. "What? What sprig of greens?"

"Ooops! You didn't know?"

"Daaaaddd… What did you do?"

"Me? No, I would never!" Nathan placed his hand over his heart, making a dramatic face. "No really, Honey. I did not do anything." He winked. "Must have been someone else who likes you besides me!"

"Do you know, Dad?" She held his arm.

"I'll never tell. Now let me be certain I have my gloves. There. Are you ready for our evening, Miss Grant?"

Allie took her father's offered arm. "I am. But I still want to know what you are talking about."

"Mmm Hmmm. Let's go!"


Ardis was waiting at the door when Nathan walked up the pathway.

"Good evening, Ardis! You look lovely with your hair up like that. I'm sorry I don't know the name of the style though." Nathan chuckled.

"Hello, Nathan. Just the fact that you noticed is amazing. I can tell you are the father of a daughter!"

"Guilty as charged." He whispered conspiratorially. "She even told me what to wear tonight! It seems that this old Dad can no longer choose his own clothing!"

Ardis's laughter rang through the crisp night air as Nathan opened the front passenger door for her.

"Hello, Miss Ross! You look pretty." Allie grinned from the back seat.

"Well, thank you, Allie! Let me look at you." Ardis half turned as Nathan entered the driver's side. "Lovely, my dear. Are you excited for a special concert?"

"I am!"

"Excuse me, Ardis, but you have the tickets, right?" Nathan inquired before he started the vehicle.

"I do. Why don't I give them to you to turn in?" Ardis handed them to Nathan.

"Sure." He tucked the tickets inside his suitcoat pocket, adjusted his coat and started the car. "We are on our way. We are going to the King's Restaurant. Have you been there before? Our guest last weekend took us there and we really liked it, eh, Allie?"

"Absolutely! The shrimp scampi was the best!"


Having enjoyed a delicious meal and a getting-to-know-you conversation, Nathan, Allie and Ardis turned towards City Hall and the concert venue. "Now Ardis, please advise me on the best street to take for parking? I have never been here for an event."

"Of course. I'll tell you where to turn, although we may have to walk a short distance. I guess that is fine since we indulged in a rich chocolate dessert just now!" Ardis laughed.

Finding their seats in the center section, Nathan whispered. "I guess we need to thank Rachel for prime seating! This is lovely." Nathan assisted Ardis out of her coat and adjusted it behind her, then turned to his other side to assist Allie with the same. Leaning forward he shrugged out of his own overcoat and both ladies helped make him comfortable before they all began to read the program.

Ardis leaned forward to include Allie as she pointed to a particular piece, 'Romance in D-flat major, Op. 24/9' by Jean Sibelius. "I used to play that when I took lessons. Wait till you hear it. It is lovely. Oh, and you'll love Debussy's 'Arabesque, One and Two' lovely as well! And Chopin's 'Nocturne in C-sharp Minor.' This looks like a fine program." Ardis settled back in her seat, one grateful lady.

As predicted, one of Allie and Nathan's favorites was the Sibelius piece and, as they drove to Ardis's flat, they compared their experience. Arriving in front of her home, Ardis turned to say goodnight to Allie, promising to see her at school, if not at church.

"And thank you for the invitation Nathan. It was wonderful to share the night with you and Allie, and thank you for the delicious dinner treat as well. I am especially looking forward to your solo tomorrow, Nathan. You have a wonderful voice."

Rather than respond, Nathan nodded then opened his door and circled the vehicle to open Ardis's door.

"Good night, Allie!" As Nathan offered his arm she spoke quietly, "Thank you, Nathan."


As Nathan climbed back into the driver's seat, Allie commented. "Isn't she nice, Dad? That was a fun night."

"She is nice and it was a lovely evening, Allie-girl." In the quiet during the rest of the ride home, Nathan evaluated the date, silently. 'A lovely woman who could be a good friend. Yet, the same as with Rachel, no sparks or unsettled feelings, just comfortable conversation. I can only compare the difference with those two ladies and Elizabeth. I get flustered just thinking about Elizabeth!' Sending a silent prayer to the Lord, Nathan turned all these relationships to the Lord for His will to be done.


Gramma Carol and Grampa Peter found Allie in the sanctuary at Knox and settled in to the seats she had saved for them for Advent Sunday. Opening with "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," Nathan's lilting solo rang out clear as the hymn began. Scriptures about the Angel Gabriel coming to Mary announcing that she would be with child, God's choice to bear God's only begotten Son. As the congregation settled in for the sermon, Nathan had moved down the choir loft stairs to stand beside Rev. Huntley who moved aside and motioned for Nathan to speak.

'Watching and Waiting

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A Holy Son,—in star patterns and ancient Hebrew texts foretold—

He is first known by the chosen two on that night in a hidden cave.

Judean hills and shepherds soon witness the divine pronouncement

as the sky fills bright with messengers singing His glory.

Far away, wise men recognize signs, preparing gifts for their journey

while wondering at the King's star that first Christmas night.

Calendar time, dated by His earthly advent, marks our yearly celebration

of joyful carols of praise, candlelight's glow and presents lovingly given

in honor of Messiah's birth.

Yet no calendar can date His return—King of Kings and Lord of Lords

when around the world all will witness His glorious descent.

So, amidst the darkness we join creation longing for His Glory.

We worship, pray and share His love, as we watch the signs of the times.

Ever hopeful, we sing of our Lord, our Light and our Salvation,

while keeping our lamps ready awaiting the earth's last Christmas.' (EMH)

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Moved, the congregation was silent and thoughtful as Nathan returned to his seat in the choir. Of the many special moments in this Sunday service, many later commented on Nathan's poem and how perfectly it fit with the theme of the Advent sermon.


(EMH) 'Watching and Waiting,' Original Poem by E.M. Hunter, Self-published in Illuminations, Copyright 2014