The Salvationist - Chapter Eighteen

The Greeter hands Grant a program as he spots Emma sitting in the far corner up towards the front. He squeezes in next to her where there really isn’t room for him. Emma smiles and moves to her left to allow a few more inches of room for him.

“I’m sorry but I don’t think that I can move over any more” states Emma glad that Grant decided to sit with her so that they will have a chance to talk as they have been recently doing quite a lot.

“I’m comfortable any time that I am next to you” charmingly replies Grant with a twinkle in his eye “So, are you ready for our duet?”

“Yes, I think so. I’ve been practicing at home as well. I think that I have figured out the couple of pitching problems that I’ve had” explains Emma excited that they will be performing together for the first time in front of their friends.

“I was glancing at the program and saw that Jane and you are doing a duet at the end for the benediction. I didn’t know that you had been practicing together” curiously mentions Emma wondering why he never mentioned it.

“It was just something that Elton asked us to do at the last minute. I’ve only run through it with her once after church last week. She seems quite nervous. I really hope it goes well but you never know when your nerves get the best of you” explains Grant with a note of experience “It seems people tend to go flat or sharp in an effort to overcome their fears”.

“I do that too. But hopefully today will be a different experience altogether” contently states Emma rehearsing the lyrics once again of their duet in her mind hoping that everything goes well.

The Christmas celebration of music begins with an introduction from Elton. “Greetings and welcome to an evening of the ‘Spirit of Joy!’ We are so glad each one of you is joining us tonight!” he glances over and notices Emma and Grant whispering and laughing together. He pauses takes a deep breath “This is a day of celebration to remember our Savior who is God’s gift to the world”. He looks around and stops at the back entrance. Elton sees April walking in animatedly waving to him with a smile that doesn’t appear it could become any more wider.

Elton sighs again. “Tonight we bring you the best musical talents of Crestwood. The Band, Songsters, Singing Company, Praise Team, with individual solos, a a couple of duets, and women’s quartet will be providing the holiday music of Christmas joy and cheer.” He sees Harriet gleefully listening to the announcements preparing to sing and wanting to spread a little happiness of her own with lighted reindeer ears that are blinking in the dim lights of the chapel. She has been very attentively lately and he isn’t sure what to do about it. Subconsciously he glances down at his program for a moment to recollect his thoughts.

“The Christmas program will begin tonight with the Songsters singing ‘Calypso Christmas” by Natalie Sleeth. Jennings starts playing on the electric piano as the songsters take their places on the risers. The women begin to sing “Down into the town of Bethlehem . . .” The men and a few percussionists join her as the lyrics continue “What a wonder what a joy, what a day of joy, God has sent a baby boy, God has sent a boy, what a happy Christmas morn, What a happy morn, when the Savior was born . . .”

“We have another special song that we would like to share with you. It is written by a friend of Crestwood, Kathy Farmer. It is titled “Birthday of a King” and is a celebration of His birth.” The solo begins with Knightly singing in a smooth baritone voice “An angel said ‘Mary, you are chosen to have a child who will save the world’. Joseph held onto the promise God is faithful. In the night a star has brought light” the others joining him on the chorus “Hallelujah! Our Savior of the world . . .”

The enthusiastic songsters in anticipation rhythmically sway with moroccos, an egg shaker, bongos, trap set and a base guitar as the song “A Starry Night” by Joy Webb begins with the piano “And all the angels sang for Him, the bells of Heaven rang for Him, for a Boy was born King of all the world . . .”

This is followed by the beautiful and moving “My Own Nativity” written by William Himes and William Luhn which easily flows and stirs with its melodic chords.

An effortless transition is made with an ensemble of the band accompanying John Rutter’s “Candlelight Carol” as the songsters sing “How do you capture the wind on the water? How do you count the stars in the sky? How can you measure the love of another? . . .”

The songsters who are also band members take their places on the platform. They play “Shepherd’s Surprise” by Kenneth Downie, “Christmas Joy!” then “Christmas Bolero” by William Gordon followed then by “Veni, Veni: O Come, O Come Emmanuel” led by Bandmaster Alexander Cole.

Harriet remembers that they are next and scurries to find her black folder which she put under her pew but accidently kicked to the pew behind her. April kindly picks up the folder and hands it to her. Singing the French carol, “Noel Nouvelet”, Emma, Harriet, Ann and Jane eloquently sing a women’s quartet arrangement similar to the one sung by Anuna which translated means “Let us sing Christmas for the New King. New Christmas, Christmas we sing here!” Ann explains as the song begins.

Before intermission the songsters unite with the band and finish their set with an arrangement by James Curnow of “Stille, Stille, Stille – one can hear the falling snow. For all is hush, the world is sleeping . . .”

A short intermission is announced. The corps band made a few CDs earlier year with Christmas favorites which they are hoping to sell in the lobby to raise funds for World Services. April rushes to the counter to buy one because Elton has given an introduction which she wants to save for posterity.

Emma sees Elton speaking with Ms. Bates. She finds Harriet and suggests that they take a moment to talk with him. Elton is thrilled when he sees Emma coming his way. She is lovely tonight. He has been waiting to see her all day. Harriet is walking beside her but Elton doesn’t notice because he is focused on Emma.

“Hi! The concert is going really well. What did you think of the quartet?” asks Emma.

“It was absolutely beautiful. Your voice was amazing. I listened to hear your part” exclaims Elton looking directly at Emma “You sounded like angels.”

“Yes, Harriet was very good. I like to hear her sing” responds Emma mistakenly believing that he was speaking about Harriet.

“Thank you. We worked very hard on it. Emma made us practice a lot” shares Harriet flattered that Elton is so obvious about his admiration with his comments.

“Practice is always a good thing with a good leader. All your efforts really paid off” compliments Elton “I would love to hear you sing again some time.”

Emma gives Harriet a look of thrilled excitement that Elton is so ecstatic to hear Harriet sing again completely oblivious to the fact he is speaking to her “We’ll definitely have to try again!”

In the corner of the foyer, Harriet sees Robert out of the corner of her eye. She hasn’t quite forgiven him for making fun of her. She sees him slowly walk up to her. He seems slightly intimated but determined.

“Hi Harriet. How have you been?” asks Robert a little shyly.

“I’m okay. I haven’t seen you lately. What have you been up to?” asks Harriet feeling friendly at the moment and with a little nudge in her heart that she has missed his company.

“I’m training as a manager at the new Game Point store at the other mall across town. They’ve given me a new schedule for the next few weeks until I have a chance to set one of my own. I’ve missed doing the street ministry at Devon. Are you doing okay?” asks Robert somewhat nervously.

“Things have been going great! Emma and I have been spending a lot of time together and helping at Crestwood. Elton is busy and we like to volunteer in the evenings” replies Harriet feeling warmly towards Robert that she has not felt in awhile.

Robert contemplates his thoughts for a few seconds, “Why haven’t you returned any of my phone calls and emails? It seems like forever since I last talked to you.”

Harriet stares at him and isn’t quite sure what to say feeling that he is putting her in a corner. “Well, you know why. I don’t need to remind you. It wasn’t very kind of you. You should have known better”

“What are you talking about?” curiously asks Robert.

“You know, the text message” defiantly states Harriet.

“Which one?” asks Robert not sure exactly what she is talking about since he has sent her quite a few that she has not answered in the last few weeks.

“The one with the songs – you sent me a list of song titles” returns Harriet a little upset that he can’t even remember the love songs he sent to her confirming that it was nothing special to him and was sent to mock her.

“You got my message?” asks Robert not understanding at all why she is mad that he sent it to her except for the only reasonable answer is that she wasn’t interested in him and he has made a complete fool of himself.

“Yes, I got your message. What were you thinking?” asks Harriet feeling that he intentionally was making fun of her at Emma’s suggestion “That was a really dumb thing to do” justifying her hurt feelings and wanting a little vindication for him to feel badly too.

“I didn’t mean to upset you. I didn’t know that you were going to respond that way” explains Robert a little upset and feeling intentionally misled.

“How could you not know? What way was I suppose to feel?” asks Harriet “You know me” still hurting that he did not feel about her the same way that she felt about him at that time.

“I was trying to give you a message in a clever way” explains Robert “I never meant to hurt you.”

At this statement, Harriet looks at him somewhat confused and thinks to herself “What message was he giving me by making fun of me. Does he think I’m an idiot?”

“I think it would be smarter for you to keep your “messages” to yourself!” shouts Harriet turning on her heel and angrily walking away from Robert who is standing a little dumbfounded by the whole exchange of words.

In the meantime April has been trying to push her way through the crowds to reach Elton. Conveniently just as April is about to reach near his proximity he is able to slip away to quickly to find a conversation some place else. Finally, he has talked to just about everyone in the room as she approaches him desperate for contact. “There you are! You are such a busy man. You have so many friends, it is difficult to find a moment with you alone!” exaggerates April “Thank you so much for inviting me!”

Elton looks a bit confused and then remembers that his secretary sent out a blanket email with the poster of the concert to all the corps in the division. Politely he states, “I’m glad that you could come.”

“I’ve been planning to come for weeks. I wouldn’t miss seeing you for the world! Life is short and there is only so much time to enjoy it. You are worth every moment!” gushes April stroking his arm.

Elton gently pulls away and steps back. “I’m glad you are having a good evening. But I need to get back. Intermission is almost over and I need to check a few things before the second half of the program begins.”

As the guests begins to dissipate back into the chapel, Emma sees Knightly chattering away to Jane who seems very pleased with his company. Jane is swaying back and forth and blushing with whatever he is saying to her. Emma doesn’t like this much. Knightly seems relaxed and is sweetly smiling at her as he talks. Emma decides that she wants to find out what is going on. “Hey Knightly! I didn’t see you come in. When did you get here?” asks Emma

“I’ve been here the entire time. It was a nice duet by the way with Grant and you. I was just telling Jane here how beautiful I thought “The Prayer” was. I don’t think that I have ever heard such a touching version before now.”

Emma shakes her shoulders as if subconsciously brushing off his comments, “It was a nice song. I like it when Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli sing it together. Have you heard it?”

“Yes many times. However I thought tonight was exceptionally wonderful and moving” states Knightly keenly recognizing that Emma is trying to change the focus of the subject.

“Are you coming for Christmas dinner with all of us this year like you usually do?” asks Emma thinking of the many good times they have each year making special memories together.

“No, a friend from college invited me to spend Christmas with a few of the families of our other friends. It is kind of a reunion. I’m flying out on Christmas day because the flights are little more reasonable” explains Knightly who although he deeply cares for Emma and knows that this would be a special time together doesn’t want to be wrapped up in her nonsense and flirtation with Grant.

“Oh really” sulks Emma very disappointed at the thought of Knightly not being there as he is every year and suddenly feeling that loss “Couldn’t you fly out the next day?”

“I’ve already bought my ticket. I think it will be a great time catching up with my friends and I am really looking forward to it” responds Knightly surprisingly aware of her disappointment.

The lights dim and flicker several times to let everyone know the program is about to start again. “I’ll see you after Christmas sometime. Here is a present for you. I brought it with me knowing that I would see you” explains Knightly pulling it out of his pocket “Make sure you put it under the tree and wait to open it until Christmas day.”

Emma is delighted with his thoughtfulness “I didn’t know who weren’t going to be with us or I would have brought your gift as well. It is already under the tree. You have to promise to come over when you get back so I can see you open it up in person.”

“Alright all do that” states Knightly pleased with her insistence and urgency in her voice as they walk together back into the foyer.

Upon returning from the intermission, Grant expertly leads the Praise Band as they play start the second half of the program with Bebo Norman’s arrangement of “Come and Worship”. Then they sing together “How Many Kings?” by Downhere and “Born in Bethlehem” by Third Day with fascinating and moving video presentations. Afterwards the congregation sings “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” similar to the version sung by Kutless which is familiar to everyone.

Well loved by the kids because of her gentleness and friendliness, Jane helps the children in their best Christmas outfits who are lined up sitting in the pews from tallest to shortest take their places on the risers. She reminds them to put their hands down at their sides and to smile before returning to the piano. Emma silently takes her fingers and motions to the children to keep their eyes focused on her and to wear big smiles as she counts for Jane to start the introduction. The Singing Company sings “Go Tell it on the Mountain” in loud joyful voices and “Rise Up Shepherd & Follow” with passionate clapping and stomping and plenty of giggles as a couple of the younger ones make up their own version of a wiggly dance routine to the music.

Knightly stretches his legs as he reviews his bulletin and notices the next item on the program. He looks over to a gleaming Emma wondering how long she plotted to make this happen. Grant is resting his arm around Emma which annoys Knightly. Grant is a nice friendly guy but a little too charming in Knightly’s opinion. He doesn’t care much for how Emma typically responds to Grant and this evening is no different.

Emma smugly smiles to everyone as she stands next to Grant wearing his Christmas sweater and best dark jeans at the microphone. Grant takes a moment to tune his guitar with Emma patiently waiting as she readjusts her elegant dress and pushes back her hair behind her shoulders. She smiles politely to everyone in the congregation as Grant starts to play. Emma and Grant sing “The Angels Cried” with Grant accompanying on the guitar which everyone believes is good and pleasant.

Having prepared for this special evening in mind, Elton provides a meaningful devotional that reaches to the hearts of those who are listening reminding them of the precious Gift of life that God offers to everyone. April sits on the front row in the seat she earlier claimed next to Elton. She keenly nods in agreement with each statement and adds a few additional amen’s for effect. Trying not to be distracted, Elton attempts to ignore her and keep with the message that God has compelled him to speak.

The Christmas program concludes with “The Prayer”. Jane quietly walks to the piano and arranges her sheet music as the song is announced. She has spent quite a bit of time praying for this moment and hopes that it will be more than just a one time experience in the memories of those who hear it. Jane and Grant perfectly blend their voices. Jane beautifully plays the piano as Grant plays his tender melodic guitar next to her. During the song, Jane and Grant sincerely look at each other several times with genuine warmth and a comfortableness that they have shared many times before in the past. As the remarkable song finishes, the room still in awe pauses for a moment of silence to absorb the beauty which they have just been blessed with in voice.

In conclusion, Elton announces “The Songsters have one final piece that they would like to present to you. It is from Handel’s Messiah “The Hallelujah Chorus!” The music begins with a rather successful cohesion of lyrics and music. But unfortunately in her nervous anxiousness, Alice Hammer has forgotten her part for the next section. She makes up an original melody of her own to flow and blend with the music with a few extra “Hallelujahs” thrown in for excitement. To make sure that everyone is oblivious to this mistake, she sings her part with much gusto and vibrato. As Elton leads, his eye bows get higher and higher with his eyes widening with each creative measure. He has never heard anything like this before in his life. With an exceptional amount of relief for many parts the song finally comes to a close and so does the evening’s benediction.