I would have had a pretty amazing video for you if the batteries in my camera hadn't died. Isn't that the story of so many great shots? So I'll have to try to describe the joyful singer to you.
At the end of the church service today, all the little kids were brought in from the other room. I know you know where this is going... Yup, the kids sang a Christmas song, in fact, "Joy to the World." They actually did a good job. The children knew the words to three verses by heart, and they weren't just singing along with a vocal track that covered their voices. So that was impressive. But, I'm here to tell you about the little guy in the front row.
He was about 4 years old, wearing neat black pants and a white shirt over a red turtleneck. His black hair was cut in long bangs, but did not obscure his eyes, which were dark sparkling buttons in a pixie face. We haven't been attending this church for long, so I have no clue whose child he is, or his name. He gets this press coverage based totally on his merits, not because I know him to be a cute kid in another setting.
Well, the kids began to sing, and they all were focused and singing and smiling (as opposed to some such performances where the kids stare in all directions and occasionally sing a word or two). But even in this group, our little fellow was a standout. His face lit up in a smile as big as any you will see on Christmas morning over a new toy. His eyes sparkled and he waved his wand with the word "Joy" emblazoned in glitter in time with the music. He knew every word of every verse, and could barely contain his enthusiasm for the singing. This was a boy who personified joy!
I am reminded of a pin-back button that I used to display on the dash of a vehicle we owned. "If you feel the joy of the Lord in your heart, please notify your face."
For someone who tends to be Scroogeish during this season, the lesson from this small boy was much more powerful than the sermon. If there is truly "Joy to the World," then I should act more like it.
Tomorrow: if we are lucky, Kitchenhenge. However, if it is as cloudy as this morning, I won't be able to get a picture of the sunrise. We'll see! But if I can't get that, it is a special day for another reason too...
12 comments:
Oh, Shark, your description of the little boy is wonderful. I know that the Lord must feel such love for these children who can express their feelings so openly and unabashedly. If only we remained like children all our lives, at least in this respect!!
Always bring spare battery. That's the lesson I've learned in the past.
It is indeed a joy to watch group of kids singing on Christmas :)
That's so cute! I love when the kids actually look like they enjoy singing! Have a joyous Christmas!
well, he really loves singing.
That is a fantastic story. I can just picture that little boy singing with such happiness. Thanks for telling us about it. I have always said that children make Christmas.
What a beautiful story! I could see the joy on that little boy's face!
The scene stealer at our children's program is a little blond gal. Anna looks like an angel and very sweet. But this diminutive pre-schooler can belt out a song. They sang the camels' song yesterday. It could also be called the camels' lament. It ends with this line, "Poor us. Poor us. Please next time take the bus."
There is something about the sound of children singing that refreshes our souls, isn't there?
I can picture his cute little face as you described it. What a great story, must have been fun to watch. Good lesson we can learn from this little one also. Can't wait to see what you've got coming tomorrow
Carmen- You are so right. I haven't been smiling much lately, and it's beginning to show. I need to work on that.
Vanilla- yeah... I forgot that I had switched out the lithiums for rechargeables, and they don't last very long.
Karen- Kids sure do brighten things up... I'm especially fond of well-mannered ones!
wenn- He really does! Thanks for stopping by
Marg- Children are so spontaneous, and we've become so used to the canned music of professionalism that we need huge doses of kids singing to counteract our drugged condition.
Icy- His smile was awesome!
Oh Chuck- that is so funny! I don't know that song, so now I am REALLY curious... not all that many weird songs that I have never heard (I thought)
Hi cherlock- kids don't have any pretensions. We love it, but refuse to live that way ourselves, thinking that it is immature.
Ann- Thanks! I hope today's story doesn't disappoint. It's just family stuff.
A good story. It always helps to think of little kids during Christmas. I sometimes think they are what Christmas is for.
Hi Ratty- We sure do tend to lose the wonder of the season, don't we? I think that is what we enjoy seeing in the kids faces.
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