.
A HOPE VALLEY CHRISTMAS
Chapter X
"Christmas Eve"
Part I
"The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him,
and delivereth them."
Psalm 34:7*
. . .
True to her word, Allie said nothing to her Dad, realizing she had done all she could do.
Now it was up to her Dad and Mrs. Thornton if the four of them were ever going to be a family!
But that didn't mean Allie was doing nothing.
That child prayed like never before!
At the table, she always added, "And please answer my secret prayer, too, God," which always brought a raised eyebrow from her Dad.
At bedtime, she added her plea to her nightly prayers, but without the specifics when her Dad was listening.
She even got up early to go to the Church each morning to pray with Pastor Canfield at the altar.
But she didn't stop there!
She had her school friends definitively praying that Allie would get the family she wanted for Christmas.
As well as her Uncles and Aunties, employers, and a few other adult friends, who, unknown to Allie, were already praying that exact same prayer!
Well, if we're being completely accurate, she had asked just about every person in Hope Valley to pray for her Dad and Mrs. Thornton!
Little did Nathan or Elizabeth know there was a huge prayer army lifting them up each day, multiple times a day, in sincerity and love, praying for their union and the start of a beautiful family of four...
Thursday and Friday of Christmas week continued with all of Hope Valley savoring the miraculous Spirit of the Holidays.
Everyone was anxiously awaiting the Children's Christmas Pageant to be performed at the Church on Christmas Eve Night.
Of course, that, also, was being directed by none other than Rosemary LeVeaux Coulter, stage queen extraordinaire, so they knew they were in for a treat! Rosemary had lived for the stage in the past, loving every moment, while it became an integral part of her. To her now, even in Hope Valley, all the world was a stage, with the purpose of making things better, touching people, and enriching their lives. She was a true champion of the arts, even without trying, but try she did, giving whatever she undertook her all, making anything she touched beautiful!
Her many endeavors, and there were many, ultimately left the little frontier town of Hope Valley blessed to be the beneficiary.
But through this magical Holiday Season, the secret gifts for Nathan and Allie (although Allie now knew exactly who her benefactor was) continued each day, with many unexpected acts of kindness thrown in.
Now that Elizabeth had an accomplice in Allie, she even arranged to polish Nathan's boots one night.
By the time she was through with them, those boots were gleaming like never before.
"Thanks, Allie Girl! My boots have never looked better!" complimented Nathan as he kissed the top of his daughter's head.
"I didn't shine them this time, Dad! But they sure do look good!" and off Allie ran up the stairs before her Dad could ask her anything else, leaving her father first with a puzzled look, which was quickly replaced by a knowing one.
Nathan just shook his head!
In spite of everything else going on around them, he was doing his best to stay focused, concentrating on his work as well as giving his daughter the best Christmas Break ever.
Although he didn't dare let Allie know, he had finally accepted the inevitable, and, now relaxed, was quite amused with all the secret gifts and kindnesses.
Besides her prayer schedule, Allie stayed busy working, while using her spare time to hide away and make her Christmas gifts for others.
But through it all, make no mistake, the Hope of Christmas and more, was in the air, permeating and enveloping all of Hope Valley…
Over the last month, Elizabeth had planned Jack's Birthday Party to be held at the Café, as the number of people attending seemed to grow each year.
Because the Christmas Pageant was on the same day, the party was being held promptly at 1 P.M. so everyone would have time to rest and change for the evening.
"Na'tan, ou come to my Birfday Potty?"
"Awee, ou come to my Birfday Potty?"
Allie knelt down on Jack's level, struggling to keep a straight face.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world, Jack!"
And so, it had been settled, with a personal invitation from the Birthday Boy, himself, Nathan and Allie would be attending Jack's Birthday Party…
The Birthday Party was in full swing when Nathan and his daughter walked into the Café. As usual, the Constable had been held up on official Mountie business. But truthfully, given the situation, he was alright with being a bit late.
It was still awkward being around Elizabeth, but for Jack's sake, Nathan agreed with Allie that they had to attend.
The room was decorated in beautiful birthday blues, sparing no expense.
Blue and white balloons were hanging everywhere from the ceiling!
White flower arrangements decorated the tables, intermingled with little boy toys.
Bags of party favors tied with pretty blue bows waited by the door to be taken home by all the little ones.
Children were running around laughing, playing, and having the time of their life, with, of course, the jovial Birthday Boy in the thick of things!
There was a huge Chocolate Birthday Cake in the center of the room, compliments of Uncle Bill, decorated with a 'horsie' on top that looked oddly like Sargent.
An Ice Cream Bar set up on the side contained every imaginable confection for making your own Dream Sunday, including sprinkles galore!
But as soon as Jack saw his Nathan and Allie, he stopped playing and ran to them, hugging them both.
"Come pay wif me!"
Allie took Jack's little hand and followed while Nathan, already feeling a bit uncomfortable, navigated his way to the sidelines with Bill and Lee.
Rosemary, assisted by Allie, gathered the children for a spin of 'Pin the Tail on the Donkey,' followed by a rather vicious round of 'Musical Chairs!'
When the games finally came to a tired halt, Bill asked Nathan to lead them in a round of "Happy Birthday."
Nathan happily complied.
"Hey, Birthday Boy!"
Jack ran to his Na'tan, who picked him up and started singing, with everyone joining in.
Even Little Jack joined in, clapping his hands and singing loudly, leaving no doubt the Birthday Boy was thrilled with his Party!
"Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday Dear Jack
Happy Birthday to You.
From good friends and true,
From old friends and new,
May good luck go with you,
And happiness too." (*26)
Nathan holding Jack and singing to him was so touching, not to even mention the fun the two were having together, that Elizabeth had to wipe tears from her eyes.
Nathan and Jack together just felt so right.
But Elizabeth wasn't the only one in the Café having that thought. No doubt, if a poll had been taken, the consensus would have been unanimous that these two belonged together!
"Jack! Are you ready to cut your cake, Sweet Boy?"
Jack clapped his hands, and Nathan let him down to run to his Mama.
It was hard to say which was better, the homemade Chocolate Cake or the Sunday Bar, but one thing was certain: no one enjoyed his cake more than Jack, as the little guy was covered with chocolate from head to toe!
Elizabeth and Rosemary did their best to clean him up, but it eventually took some assistance from Bill.
"Mama, dis?"
"That's a Nativity Scene, Jack. See, it has the Angel here on top looking over everyone, with Joseph standing right here, Mary sitting in front of him, and here's the Baby Jesus in the manger. Oh, and look at the Shepherds and all their little sheep. That's what you're going to be tonight! And here are the Three Wise Men with their gifts for the Baby Jesus. They're riding camels!"
"Boo ti ful, Mama! Me want it! For Cwismus!"
"Sweetheart, this one belongs to your Uncle Bill. It's been in his family for a very long time. We'll find one later to take home tomorrow for Christmas Day."
That pacified her boy for now, but she chastised herself that she hadn't previously thought about buying a Nativity Set, not realizing he would be interested quite yet.
Wait! What was she thinking?
She realized now, after she made her promise to Jack, there was no way she was going to find a Nativity Scene by Christmas.
Christmas was tomorrow!
Maybe with all his presents, Jack would forget.
'Please, Dear God, help my little boy to be distracted and forget.'
But Nathan noticed Jack going straight back to the Manger, his eyes full of wonder as he stared at the Baby Jesus.
"Time to open presents, Big Boy!" announced Bill, tearing Jack away from the Nativity by picking his godson up and raising him high to lots of giggles.
With no shyness now, Jack was big enough to know what to do. He tore into the packages around him, one after the other, holding each gift up and telling everyone how much he 'wuvved' it.
"Say thank you, Jack!"
"Tank ou!"
Uncle Bill got him a train set, while Uncle Lee and Auntie Rosie got him a new, larger toy horse to ride since he was growing so fast!
Elizabeth got her son miniature buildings for his fort, lots of little soldiers who looked just like Mounties from where Nathan stood, and a few new horses.
Nathan noticed and was a little surprised that Elizabeth had also gotten her son a book about Mounties.
Needless to say, Jack was thrilled with all three gifts!
But he saved Nathan's and Allie's gifts for last.
Fiona managed to capture the look of pure delight, along with the squeal, when he opened the Fishing Rod Nathan had made for him, which was just his size.
"Tank ou Na'tan. Me wuv it! Me wuv it!"
He danced a little jig and rushed to Nathan to give him a big hug.
"If your Mama's okay with it, Allie and I'll take you fishing, when it gets warmer, Jack."
"Yay," the Little Guy squealed. "Me go fissin!'"
When he opened Allie's gift, he held it up for everyone to see, loving it because it was from Allie, without quite knowing what it actually was.
"It's a little tackle box, Jack, for when we go fishing!"
His little face lit up!
"Me wuv it, Awee!"
And from that moment on, Jack carried his tackle box with him everywhere he went, with his Mou'tie inside, of course...
By that evening, when it was time to get ready for the Pageant, an exhausted Jack was not at all interested in going.
"Me pay, Mama!"
"Jack, we can't play. We have to get you dressed. You're a shepherd, and Auntie Rosie is depending on you to do your part tonight at Church!"
"No!"
"Let's get you in your costume!"
"No, Mama, no!"
Desperate, Elizabeth cajoled him with a cookie.
"How about if we eat a Santa Sugar Cookie first?"
Jack happily ate the cookie, reaching for a second, which she finally relented and allowed him to have.
However, to Elizabeth's dismay, the much-desired sugar rush did not at all inspire her son to get dressed!
She washed his face, combed his hair, and then bundled him up, carrying the costume on her arm, as they walked to church in the snow…
"Rosemary, I'm so very sorry we're late, but Jack's having a meltdown and doesn't want to wear his costume," whispered Elizabeth.
"Jack, come and let Auntie Rosie help you dress!"
"No, me no dess!"
And Little Jack stomped his little foot in finality.
Allie noticed, already dressed in her beautiful Angel costume, and walked over to Jack to see if she could help.
"Hey, Jack? How are you?"
Jack made a pouty face while Allie bent down as much as she could in her elaborate costume with her large wings.
"Jack, I'm an angel tonight, but I can't sing my song if I don't have any shepherds to sing with me. Should I just take my costume off too?"
"No, Awee! Ou boo ti ful!"
"Well, then, I need a handsome shepherd to help me sing my song. But I don't know who!"
"Me vill!"
"You will? Oh, Jack, that's so great! Do you need help to get in your shepherd's costume?"
Jack shook his head yes, vociferously up and down, like a little Bobblehead.
Elizabeth and Rosemary moved in to dress him.
"No, Mama! Awee dess me!"
And that was that.
What a precious sight, though, watching the starring angel of the night dress her little shepherd!
Unknown to Allie and Jack, the whole time Jack was being dressed, Fiona was snapping away…
As Jack had made Elizabeth late, and the whole town had conspired against them, or actually for them, there was only one empty seat left in the entire church.
By no coincidence whatsoever, the empty seat just happened to be the seat on the second row next to Constable Nathan Grant.
Florence had practically hog-tied the Judge when he started to sit there. Molly and a few others stepped in too, doing whatever was necessary to reserve that one special seat.
Poor Nathan was beginning to think no one wanted to sit by him!
But as the hour grew closer for the Pageant to start, Florence and Molly were wondering where in the world was their Elizabeth!
When Elizabeth finally entered the church by the front door, Florence proudly pointed out there was only one seat left, but they had saved it just for her!
"Hickam will escort you there," she innocently announced.
As Elizabeth reached the second row on Hickam's arm and realized what was happening, her pounding heart leapt to her throat.
Mike motioned her on into the row.
For one split second, Nathan's and Elizabeth's eyes met.
"I can find another seat, or I can stand," she offered quietly.
Looking around, Nathan saw there was nothing else.
"You're welcome to sit here. Oddly, there doesn't seem to be another seat in the whole Church."
Elizabeth nodded and sat, with both of them looking straight ahead.
Nathan scooted over toward the wall as much as he could, while Elizabeth made herself as small as possible, leaving quite a bit of space between them, much to the chagrin of both Florence and Molly, who were closely watching from the back!
Suddenly the lights dimmed, and Angela started playing 'It Came Upon the Midnight Clear' as the children filed out, one from each side at the same time, with one exception. (*27)
Jack came out holding Allie's hand, and he stayed, insisting to stand by his Awee, at least for the time being.
Pastor Canfield stood and went to the Podium on the left side of the sanctuary, as the Pulpit had been removed to make room for the Pageant.
"Welcome to our Christmas Pageant put on by our beautiful children. What a blessed night this is going to be! Please stand and join me in singing 'It Came Upon the Midnight Clear' and remain standing for prayer after."
"It came upon a midnight clear
That glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold
Peace on the earth, good will to men
From heaven's all gracious King
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing
Still through the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled
And still their heavenly music floats
O'er all the weary world
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hovering wing
And ever o'er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing
All ye beneath life's crushing load
Whose forms are bending low
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow
Look now for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing
O rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing
And hear the angels sing." (*28)
Standing so close to him, Elizabeth trembled at the richness of Nathan's voice.
"Will the congregation please join hands as we pray?" asked the Pastor.
Nathan tentatively took Elizabeth's hand, struggling hard to keep his mind on the prayer.
But in all fairness, Elizabeth was having the same difficulty, as tiny shocks ran up both their arms.
"Dear Heavenly Father, we come to You on this Blessed Christmas Eve night with wonder at your most magnificent gift to each of us, the gift of your Son, brought to earth in the form of an innocent baby boy. Although undeserving, we are most grateful."
"We pause now to prepare our hearts for a most beautiful celebration of the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ."
"Help us to clear our minds and focus only on You, we pray. Consume us and help us draw closer to you. May our spirits cry out 'Alleluia' with the heavenly host of angels who delivered those glad tidings so very long ago."
"Immanuel, God with Us, Prince of Peace, the Son of God, Messiah – may You fill our hearts with both gratitude and worship as we come humbly before You now."
"On this Christmas Eve night, we surrender all that we are, to You."
"Just as the Magi brought gifts to celebrate your birth all those years ago, we bring You, tonight, our devotion, our obedience, our love, and our service."
"Simply, we ask for You to be with us on this holiest of nights."
"And all of God's people said with fervor: 'Amen!'"
A rousing cry of 'Amen' rang throughout the little church.
But somewhere during that prayer, Nathan's and Elizabeth's fingers had intertwined, so that when they sat down together, neither pulled away.
Apparently, Pastor Canfield had been summoned as an active partner in Hope Valley's Mission called 'Nathan & Elizabeth,' bringing their couple one step closer.
"You may be seated," the Pastor smiled. "May we enjoy the Children's Christmas Pageant in this the Year of our Lord, Nineteen Hundred, and Eighteen."
In fact, probably without even realizing it, Nathan and Elizabeth inched closer together after they sat, to the extreme delight of Florence and Molly, who were still watching from the back of the Church.
Suddenly everything darkened.
Yet Angela played on in the abject darkness she alone was accustomed to. But that overt darkness was being beautifully brought to life via her own brilliant rendition of the music. Thereby bringing a wondrous joy to her and all those around her.
Soon a spotlight from the back highlighted Robert as he began quoting the scripture, speaking the first verse of the scripture passage from memory.
When he finished, the spotlight moved to one of the smaller children who took the short second verse and so cutely broke 'Cy…ren…e…us down into very slowly pronounced syllables
Then the spotlight continued to move from child to child, showcasing each child as they said their individual verses.
When the children finished their parts, the spotlight moved to a few adults, scattered throughout the congregation, who stood when taking their turn saying their assigned scripture.
Each child quoted their verse from memory, whereas the adults read theirs from their own Bibles by the light of the candles in each window.
Through it all, Allie, the resplendent Angel, stood tall in the center, behind the Living Nativity, but with Little Jack 'still as could be' at her side,
And so, on this special Christmas Eve, the Christmas Message was brought to life by the children of Hope Valley through word, song, and dramatization…
2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. (*29)
In this unusual but meaningful manner, the children fluidly gifted the Word of the Lord, falling on the ears of Hope Valley in a new, impactful, and memorable way.
Leaving no doubt in the hearts of all, Christmas was joyously here…
. . .
*25. Psalms 34:7, The Holy Bible, King James Version, Public Domain
*26. "Happy Birthday to You," Patty Hill & Mildred J. Hill, 1883, Public Domain
*27-28. 'It Came Upon the Midnight Clear,' Lyrics Edmund Sears, 1849, Music Richard Storrs Willis, 1850, Public Domain
*29. Luke 2:1-20, The Holy Bible, King James Version, Public Domain