All I Want For Christmas

On the Sunday afternoon before Christmas, the Cannon and the Halstead small groups decided to join forces to serve some of our older, less mobile members by showing Jesus’ love to them through Christmas caroling. This proved to be the perfect activity for the current situation since it could easily be accomplished while keeping everyone involved safe. The caroling ensemble consisted of children from age 5 up to adults age 60+. We are all on our unique walk with Jesus but had the same goal in mind that day – to bring a smile and show love to our audience (both on earth and in heaven). The young parents in the group remember caroling for shut ins as a teen and how serving them made them feel. They are making the decision to continue the tradition with their own children. In doing so the parents are modeling taking next steps with Jesus by teaching their children to serve and put others’ needs and happiness ahead of their own. Us older carolers realize the years these older members have invested in the lives of many of us and in His Kingdom here at Clear Creek. We want to let them know they are not forgotten. We also realize that we will be standing in their shoes in the not-too-distant future and hope we will be remembered as well.

The sheer joy and expectation on the faces of our audience was priceless and gave everyone a warm feeling inside. They all eagerly came outside onto their porches and some had even alerted their neighbors so they could also enjoy the concert. All the familiar tunes were sung and everyone sang along – songs like Silent Night, Joy to the World, Jingle Bells and Rudolph. With a huge grin on his face, Waymon even conducted the group while we were at their house. While there were huge grins on most faces, there were also some tears. Mrs. Betty started out grinning, but could not contain the tears as her emotions overwhelmed her. She said that she never imagined so many people would care enough to come sing for her. But why wouldn’t we? After the hard year we and our older members have endured, it is the least we younger family members can do! Knowing that some of their church family sacrificed their time one Sunday afternoon to show them some love was the best gift some of our older members got for Christmas 2020 and was just what they needed. And for us carolers, getting to be with friends and family, serving together and seeing the look of love on all these faces was the most perfect gift we received as well. Both of these groups want to mark their calendars for caroling again in December 2021 to continue the tradition.