A Special Evening

A Special Evening

By Mark Leitheiser

It’s cold outside, and dark. This is not surprising, of course. One glance out a frost-framed window will confirm what we already know: we just slipped past the winter solstice - our longest night of the year.

This time of the year can be difficult, leaving many of us longing for relief from these cold, dark nights. Thankfully, we don’t need to look very far to find it because it’s also Christmas season. Colorful lights adorn houses, trees, yards and streets, dressing our small towns in their Sunday best as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ. The warm glow of these lights stands in stark contrast to these hard, black nights and warms us as we hurry on our way.

There are other lights as well. On the evening of December 18th, radiant light pulsed through the stained glass windows of St. John church, inviting the faithful to step inside for warmth and worship. There was nothing unusual about this; St. John holds Wednesday evening services throughout the year but this was not just another service.

Once inside, a quick glance would find what you’d expect: a beautiful Christmas tree, a manger scene and wreaths hanging neatly from the balcony, the things you’d likely find in any church this time of year. But that is where the comparison ends for this would be a service like no other.

The first hint of change was the attendance where the usual sparse Wednesday crowd had been replaced by a full house. Stranger still, most of the weekly members were not sitting in their usual seats. Many of these good folks were visitors. What was going on?

The answer may surprise you, for this service was led by a very special group of people called Jesus Cares. This is a ministry that is, “dedicated to spreading the earthly joy and eternal hope of Jesus Christ . . . tailored for individuals with disabilities.” Regardless of their cognitive or physical challenges, all are welcome at the Fairfax chapter of Jesus Cares which typically has about 15-20 active members of all ages from our area.

Of course, Jesus isn’t the only one who cares for these unique individuals. A team of about eight special volunteers, from middle schoolers to retirees, share their time and faith by assisting the Jesus Cares program throughout the year. If you want to see Christian faith leap from the pages of the bible, you'd be hard pressed to find a better example than these volunteers.

I could list their names, but angels don’t fly with their names on their backs. This is a humble group, basing their service on Matthew 25:40, “Inasmuch as ye have done unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

The entire group meets once a month at Prairie Lutheran School in room One where by day, an old crank of an English teacher named Leitheiser feebly attempts to teach the benefits of superb syntax and devine diction to a less-than-enthusiastic audience.. But during these evening sessions, there are other, more exciting activities, including games and snacks. Music is led by Ann Albrecht who tries to stay seated on a depleted bench that should require a seat belt while gamely playing a tired old upright piano that was ready for a bonfire during the Truman administration. The only source of revenue for these activities is the offering collected at their Christmas program, so if your accountant or conscience compels you to make a charitable donation this year, well . . .

Yet a shoestring budget is no match for the enthusiasm when the big night finally arrives.

After announcing, “Jesus is the light of the world!” pastor Jesse DeDeyne gently shepherds the Jesus Cares members through an evening of praise through song and scripture.

The scripture itself recounts the traditional story of the birth of Jesus through a series of short readings by chosen members which are remarkably well done. While the readings are short, there is uncommon power in their message. There is a sincerity and purity of heart that leaves me wanting what they have, for their message of good news is distilled to a single article of faith, uncluttered by the foolish vanities of this world.

The scripture readings are interrupted with traditional Christmas hymns such as, “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “Away in a Manger,” and “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” whose timeless melodies lift the spirit of the service.

And, as with the scripture readings, there is something very special in their delivery as well. Soon, churches and cathedrals across the world will be filled with polished soloists and entire choirs in full throat singing praises to baby Jesus. Yet, none of their arching strains will touch my soul as deeply as the songs delivered this evening. For this is a holy place, thick with the true spirit of Christmas which fills the air like woodsmoke frozen in the December night.

“Let There Be Light!” was the theme of this special service and it’s hard to imagine a better choice. As we bear the cold and dark of the longest night of the year in an angry and bitter world, was there ever a time when we more desperately needed to see the light of God?

In the classic 1968 Christmas film, The Little Drummer Boy, narrator, Greer Garson, closes with the words, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” On Wednesday evening, I’m certain the members of Jesus Cares did, indeed, see the face of God. Perhaps we all did. Thank you, Jesus Cares and Merry Christmas!