So, I set to work making some food; because by this time, we had people sitting in the barn and on the lawn in front of the barn. But they were stone silent. None of them wanted to make any noise. Anyone so much as "peeped" and they were shushed. Nobody wanted to wake the baby. Sis, even the animals were quiet.

I took a tray of food out to the mother and the father. The new dad was grinning like a proud daddy and offered to pay, but I told him to keep it. I told him he was going to need it. Why would all these people come to see a baby? Babies are born every day, what makes this one special? Furthermore, how did all these people even know this baby would be here when the parents themselves didn't even know where they'd be staying this night?

I will tell you that as I was standing there…I felt something. It wasn't like warmth. It was more like feeling a light, like I could touch or taste it. That sounds stupid, doesn't it?

Eventually, Hez said he was going out to tell the crowd they either had to pay or leave, but even he came back to the inn with the strangest look on his face. He didn't send anyone away…In fact, he told me to take them some more food. He's never done that before. This family is different. I wish you could be here to see it. I'll keep you posted on what's happening in the barn. Hez probably will want to make it a tourist attraction.

Send Mom my love.

Love,

Anna

The final Advent candle is lighted during the reading of the Scripture.

Scripture

Psalms 148:1-14 (NIV)

¹ Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights above.

² Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

³ Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars.

⁴ Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.

⁵ Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.

⁶ He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away.

⁷ Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

⁸ lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding,

⁹ you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,

¹⁰ wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds,

¹¹ kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth,

¹² young men and maidens, old men and children.

¹³ Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

¹⁴ He has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his saints, of Israel, the people close to his heart. Praise the Lord.

Closing Prayer

God, the candles have been lit. The light is here. The darkness is no more. We have walked too long in darkness, and now Your Son, the Light of the world, will show us the way. Welcome, God; You have been expected. Amen.

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