Christmas on Cape Cod by Nan Rossiter

Author:Nan Rossiter [Rossiter, Nan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2011-09-29T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

“Dad, look! It’s snowing!” Noah whispered. Asa looked out the window and nodded. The old New England church was filled to overflowing, but Asa, standing in the once familiar sanctuary after so many years, hardly noticed. He gazed at the falling snow and his mind filled with memories. He thought back to his boyhood summers on the Cape, sitting in church on Sunday mornings, longing to be on the other side of the magnificent many-paned windows ... and then he recalled the sad occasion when he had stood there last ... it had been for Noelle’s funeral after she died giving birth to Noah. So lost in thought was he that Maddie had to nudge him twice before he realized his parents were standing in the aisle, waiting for him to make room.

As they squeezed into the pew, an older gentleman with white hair came over to greet them. Samuel stood to shake hands and they exchanged a few friendly words. The man turned to Sarah and took her hands in his. As they spoke, Asa tried to place the gentle smile and kind, gray eyes ... and then he realized it was the minister who had served the church for many years.

The minister looked up, as if on cue, and nodded to Asa and Maddie, and then leaned toward Noah. “This must be Noah—all grown up!” Noah nodded shyly and the old gentleman continued. “How would you like to help with the service tonight?” Noah smiled and nodded again and the minister handed him a program highlighted with notes. He pointed to one of the highlights and then to the front of the sanctuary and explained what the job entailed. Noah listened carefully, clutching the program in his lap. The minister stood up and winked at him, clapped Samuel on the shoulder, and walked to the front of the church. Moments later, a hush fell over the sanctuary as the first chords of “O Little Town of Bethlehem” were played.

The service was beautiful and, just as Samuel predicted, perfect for young families. Carols were sung and passages from the New Testament were read; between each hymn and reading, a youngster from the congregation tiptoed to the front, picked up a small wooden hammer decorated with a red bow, and tapped a shiny brass Christmas bell that had been set out just for the occasion.

Noah followed the program carefully with his finger. There was an asterisk penciled in the space between the reading of Matthew 2:9–12 and the hymn, “We Three Kings of Orient Are.” His heart pounded as he listened ... “And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.” Just as the reader finished, Maddie gently nudged Noah and he stood up resolutely and squeezed to the aisle.

The congregation watched expectantly as the little boy in the handsome red sweater made his way shyly to the front. He picked up the wooden hammer, hesitated briefly, feeling the weight of it, and then gave the bell a resounding clang.

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