Ho, ho, ho! How's your Christmas going? Mine is going great! Here's my gift to you: a new chapter for this story! Hope you enjoy it!
It is Thursday. Riley is reading a book with her class when the principal over the speaker announced, "Attention, students. For those of you who signed up to perform in the Christmas program, please report to the gym for auditions. Thank you."
Upon hearing this, Riley heads to the gym.
At the gym, when it was Riley's turn after a few students auditioned, she sang her song. The teacher of the audition fell in love with her singing voice.
(What sing is she singing? It's a surprise!)
"That was beautiful, Riley!" the teacher congratulated her. "I love it!"
Riley smiled widely at this.
Inside HQ, Joy said gleefully, "You hear that? He said she sang beautifully! That means she will sing good at the Christmas program! I should tell you, that show is going to be a success for Riley!"
"I'm sure it will." Anger agreed.
The next day, at the final hour before school ends, all the students who are participating to perform in the Christmas program are gathered in the gym, along with the students' parents and the rest of the school.
After a few students have performed, it was Riley's turn.
"Up next, we have Riley Anderson!" the announcer announced. The audience cheered and applauded loudly for Riley, with Jordan and her parents being the loudest.
"Go, Riley!" Jordan shouted.
"You can do it, sweetie!" Jill encouraged her daughter.
"You sing beautifully!" Bill said cheerfully.
Riley took a drink of water from her water bottle before stepping onstage and walking up to the microphone. Her parents and Jordan wave at her, and she smiles as she waves back at them. Then she takes a deep breath and picks up the microphone and begins singing.
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn king
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic hosts proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethelehem
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn king
As her emotions monitored the screen, they admired her singing voice and Joy sang along.
Christ by highest heaven adored
Christ the everlasting lord
Wait in time, behold him come
Offspring of a virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh, the godhead see
Hail the incarnate deity
Pleased as man with men to dwell
Jesus our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn king
As Riley sang, her parents recorded her with their cameras.
Hail the heaven born prince of peace
Hail the son of righteousness
Light and life to all he brings
Risen with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn king
After she finished singing, the audience erupted into loud cheering and applause. Riley smiles as she bows to her audience. "Thank you! Thank you!"
Jordan smiles with love in his heart while Bill and Jill cheered wildly, impressed by their daughter's singing.
Even Riley's emotions cheered and applauded.
"Bravo! Encore!" Disgust cheered.
"I really enjoyed that." Sadness commented as she smiled weakly.
"Not bad." Fear complimented.
As Riley and her parents walked to their car, Jordan ran up to her.
"Riley!" he called, getting her attention.
"Hi, Jordan!" Riley greeted him. "Did you like my singing?"
"Are you kidding? I loved it!"
The two share a heartfelt laugh while Riley's parents smiled as they watched.
"So, I'll see you at the gift exchange?" Riley asks Jordan.
"I'll see you then." Jordan replied.
"Good." They share a warm hug. After they pull away, Riley gets in the car with her parents and they drive home. On the way home, Riley sighs as if she's in love, which she is, and her loving smile remained stuck on her face the whole way home.
Well, what do you know? Riley's performance at the Christmas program was a huge success! You know, I used to sing Christmas songs with my classmates and performed them publicly when I was in elementary school. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter because they next one will be the gift exchange.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!