We had another beautiful Christmas Eve service last night at the First Congregational Church in Fairhaven.
Photo courtesy of Jim Mahaney
My friend, Rev. Bette McClure, had asked me earlier if I would do a reading. She gave me a reading from John 1:1-5:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all the people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”
As I read this, out loud for the congregation to hear, I was reminded that a few months ago I never would have been able to read this in public. My stroke prevented me from speaking clearly and I certainly would have slurred my words. Through many months of practice and constant encouragement and correcting by my family and wonderful speech therapists…….last night I NAILED IT!
I bring this up on this Christmas Day to encourage my fellow stroke survivors or anyone dealing with a health issue to not give up. You will be tempted to just throw up your arms and say, “Forget it!” But keep trying. Even if everything doesn’t come back, progress can be made.
We also sang “Silent Night” by candlelight. I should say everyone else sang “Silent Night.” I still can’t make it through that song. I always think of my mother singing that song with us. Mom always went to church with us on Christmas Eve, even when we no longer went to the same church as she did. She always came to ours and I remember her holding a candle and singing “Silent Night.”
This year I also found myself thinking of her sister, my aunt, Alice and her husband Ron from Maine. They have all passed away now but we had many wonderful years with them. Church was such an important part of their lives. Uncle Ron was the minister, Aunt Alice was the organist at one point and a choir member. My mother was a choir member also and had many jobs at the church over the years.
Church was something that happened every Sunday and Christmas time was so special back then. When did it all change? Why did it all change?
Their family and ours produced six children and I think there’s only a couple of us that still attend a church regularly. Only a few grandchildren too.
Everyone has their own reasons and I don’t mean to be critical, but last night I had those wonderful memories come rushing back to me and there was something special about that quieter time.
We also had some friends over after church and I tried something different: I put my phone away for the night. Guess what? I had a great time! And I really didn’t miss much.
Let’s take a minute this week between holidays and think of ways we can re-connect. And rehabbers…… keep moving forward.
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