Danielle's Laughter
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series II Cycle A
Five-year-old Danielle, along with her younger sister and brother, arrived in time for Sunday School on the first Sunday in Advent. As she looked around she knew something was different.
Later, as Danielle and her family entered the sanctuary, she noticed all the decorations. There were candles surrounded by holly on the windowsills. There was a strange-looking wreath with purple candles on the altar. There was a Christmas tree covered with white Styrofoam crosses of all shapes and sizes over in an often-forgotten corner of the church. This was all new to her. She did not understand what all this meant.
In the moments before worship began Danielle asked her mother about the candles and the tree. Every five-year-old knows the colors of Christmas are red and green. Why were there purple candles? What were those things hanging on the tree? she asked. Her mother tried to explain as best she could, promising to tell her once they were home.
This proved to be no ordinary Sunday; something unexpected was about to happen. Obviously the adults were not in tune in the same way that Danielle was. She was filled with anticipation. She had difficulty waiting quietly in her seat.
The time came for the children's message. All the children made their way to the front of the church. The pastor had a habit of asking the children questions which more than one parent objected to -- afraid of being embarrassed. "Good morning, boys and girls," the pastor began. "Who can tell me what today is?" he asked. One boy replied that it was Sunday; an older child came up with the right answer, "Advent." Danielle sat there smiling, taking in the conversation.
Then the pastor asked, "How do you know if you are awake or asleep?" At this moment Danielle burst into uncontrollable laughter. The sound of her laughter filled the sanctuary, traveling through the sound system.
Her laughter was contagious. Soon some in the choir began laughing as well as persons throughout the sanctuary. The laughter energized the congregation in a way nothing else could. The pastor should have ended the service right then; there was no point trying to go on.
Yes, this was no ordinary Sunday, this first Sunday in Advent. Who better to remind us than a five-year-old?
Later, as Danielle and her family entered the sanctuary, she noticed all the decorations. There were candles surrounded by holly on the windowsills. There was a strange-looking wreath with purple candles on the altar. There was a Christmas tree covered with white Styrofoam crosses of all shapes and sizes over in an often-forgotten corner of the church. This was all new to her. She did not understand what all this meant.
In the moments before worship began Danielle asked her mother about the candles and the tree. Every five-year-old knows the colors of Christmas are red and green. Why were there purple candles? What were those things hanging on the tree? she asked. Her mother tried to explain as best she could, promising to tell her once they were home.
This proved to be no ordinary Sunday; something unexpected was about to happen. Obviously the adults were not in tune in the same way that Danielle was. She was filled with anticipation. She had difficulty waiting quietly in her seat.
The time came for the children's message. All the children made their way to the front of the church. The pastor had a habit of asking the children questions which more than one parent objected to -- afraid of being embarrassed. "Good morning, boys and girls," the pastor began. "Who can tell me what today is?" he asked. One boy replied that it was Sunday; an older child came up with the right answer, "Advent." Danielle sat there smiling, taking in the conversation.
Then the pastor asked, "How do you know if you are awake or asleep?" At this moment Danielle burst into uncontrollable laughter. The sound of her laughter filled the sanctuary, traveling through the sound system.
Her laughter was contagious. Soon some in the choir began laughing as well as persons throughout the sanctuary. The laughter energized the congregation in a way nothing else could. The pastor should have ended the service right then; there was no point trying to go on.
Yes, this was no ordinary Sunday, this first Sunday in Advent. Who better to remind us than a five-year-old?
