The Church of Whoville
I’m fairly healthy, but I do run over to a hospital in Mobile every month or so for an infusion of glitter that keeps me sparkly. They’ve recently moved the location of the unit I use into the Cancer Center. As you can imagine, sitting in the waiting room two days before Christmas with those receiving cancer treatments and their loved ones is heavy.
A few patients whisper to each other, but most just stare straight ahead or look at their phones.
I’ve been writing a lot this year about community connections, and I have to say that the Whos Down in Whoville got it right. There’s a small detail you may not have noticed, yet right there in the cartoon is something quite beautiful.
When the citizens of Whoville gather to sing they are holding hands and standing in a circle, looking into each other’s faces.
They are most definitely connected. Face to face, eyeball to eyeball, heart to heart and hand to hand.
When we sing in church, like most congregations, we stand and face the front, which church planners would positively argue that standing and staring straight ahead takes the focus off the people and onto loftier symbols at the altar where there is often a cross or crucifix, so, how can you argue with that? (My rebuttal would be that most churches now stare at a giant Karaoke Screen instead of anything Holy), but this time of year, when the holiday is often heavy for some, wouldn’t it be nice to look into the faces of those we love?
My secret is, sometimes, I sneak a look at other church members while they’re singing.
If they catch me looking, they may think I’m strange, but I love seeing their faces. If I happen to lock eyes with my friend Carlie, we exchange big smiles because she does the same thing. I only wish everyone was standing in a circle like the Whos.
Some sing with joyful faces, some have tears. Some have resting Grinch faces, but all are singing. It’s the signing-est church I’ve ever attended since I was a child. The congregation is usually reserved until the music starts, and then, they belt it out. I love it.
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Christmas brings a load of emotions for many, not just those undergoing medical treatments, but sharing the heaviness with people you love is a blessing. How are we to know what’s going on with those we love without truly paying attention?
When we quickly chat with friends during the holdiays, are we checking our phones or mentally making our list and checking it twice?
I tend to stare my sons down for clues to their innermost thoughts, but others, I politely avoid staring at too long, because, well . . . you know, it isn’t ladylike. But perhaps we should take a moment longer not to stare but truly observe, listen and pay attention to those we love. Especially at Christmastime when life can be rough.
As we sang in church, my face was happy, yet a few tears formed because, A). I cry a lot of happy tears, and B). I remembered how much my father loved Christmas music. He planned choir specials months ahead of time and began reviewing Christmas music in the summer. For some reason, he never grew tired of it.
Except for The Little Drummer Boy. He and I both disliked that song.
This Christmas, I especially wish you and all those you love the gift of connections. Take time to really see and observe how those around you feel. Notice those who are lonely or hurting or even those who are anxious. Share in the joy and happiness of those you find dancing with excitement, and of course, I hope you have someone who truly listens to you. You are cherished and loved enough to be sent a precious gift in a manger.
Merry Christmas.
Leslie Anne!
Great thoughts and I started looking around and smiling at my friends and loving the feeling the church is connecting with! Yay!
I often now will cry on certain songs! I was like a water 💧 fountain when Jess at Echo Life Church belted out “Noel!’ I had no idea that I was going to boo hoo, but I know it’s the Holy Spirit and I just reach for my handy dandy Kleenex!
I pray 🙏 you and your family have a blessed 🙌 Christmas and Happy New Year, Leslie Anne! I pray 🙏 the Lord keeps you healthy, so we all can enjoy your wonderful books 📚 and stories!
Wish I lived in fabulous Fairhope,
Debbie 😀
Thank you Debbie, and a Merry Christmas to you as well!
Merry Christmas Leslie Anne and Bob! I love this thought about church members facing forward instead of in a Whoville circle. What a much better way to be in a circle. Thanks for the thought of thinking of my monthly infusion being glitter! Take a little break, get a little rest and have a wonderful new year!
Thank you Leslie Anne, this post was like a Christmas present 🙂 Merry Merry Christmas!!
Hi Susan – Thank you so much. I hope you have a wonderful time during this beautiful time of year. Merry Christmas to you!
Oh, that’s so nice, Jenna! I’m glad it’s just the right size. Thank you for your recipes throughout the year. I loved seeing you in Orange Beach, let’s do it again this next year. Happy New Year and Christmas to you!
Christmas Eve of ‘24, my beautiful 35 year old daughter rang the bell for her last chemotherapy treatment. She had just survived her bi lateral mastectomy.
It has been a challenging year, but we are grateful to Christ our Lord, Vanderbilt University and yes, chemotherapy. Her community planned a lengthy food train,
Decorated outdoor lights & trees for her 6 & 4 year old boys, and a mini orchestra rang the door bell at 9 pm to play Holy Christmas Carols on her front porch in the 35 degree temp.
It was the most difficult & beautiful day all at the same time. Community is truly a difference maker. And, it is so difficult for most people to know what to say, and those people just disappear. The people you least expect make a huge difference in encouragement & love & healing. Just needed to share.
And, try Carrie Underwood’s Little Drummer boy that she sings with her very young little boy. Sweetest.
Merry Christmas & a Healthy New Year.
Hi Gina – thanks for this story – I love the part about difficult and beautiful combined. People truly are good, aren’t they? Merry Christmas to you. – and yes, I’ll give Carrie Underwood’s version a try, but I’m not promising anything.
Great job LA! Merry Christmas to you and Big Bob. Pa Rum Pa Pum Pum!!
Ha! Merry Chrsitmas to you and yours as well!