Chapter Ten: Behold Your King!

Scazzarda and Meta Knight slipped through the side door and took their seats in the row next to Cloudy. Cloudy’s eyes lit up and she smiled. “Is all well with you two?” she whispered.

“Yes,” Scazzarda replied. She then glanced at the pastor. “What is the pastor preaching from? What book?”

“Isaiah,” Cloudy replied.

True to Cloudy’s word, the pastor was indeed preaching from the book of Isaiah, from Chapter 7. “In Chapter 7, we’re talking about how the Lord promised to send a Redeemer to gather together His scattered flock, the nation of Israel,” the pastor said. “Here it says in verses 13-15, ‘Then Isaiah said, “Listen well, you royal family of David! Isn’t it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well? All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means God is with us).'”

The pastor cleared his throat and looked out over the congregation. “In these verses, Isaiah is accusing David’s family of wearing out the Lord’s patience. However, he gives them a hopeful sign—a sign from God. A Child will be born to a virgin and she will name Him Immanuel, which means, ‘God with us.’ Now isn’t that a wonderful promise from the Lord? Isn’t it magnificent that God sent His Son to be born and to die for us—so that we could be saved and drawn back into a wonderful, intimate relationship with the Father?”

Nearly everyone nodded vigorously. What was better than an everlasting relationship with God?

The pastor put both hands on his Bible and took a deep breath. “I’m going to ask you all a personal question right here and now, and I want you to be honest with yourself. How often do you take the story of Jesus’ birth as just another Bible story and don’t truly celebrate it with all your heart?”

Everyone in the audience cast their eyes downward. They all knew what the pastor was talking about.

“I thought so,” the pastor said. “I have done the same thing.” He looked down at his Bible resting on the pulpit. “Let me ask you another question. How many of you have doubted the wonder-working power of this Child?”

Everyone nodded.

“I have too,” the pastor said. “Thankfully, I am now learning to trust and lean on God and His power and not fear the harm of men.”

Meta Knight frowned. Harm of men? What did the pastor mean by that?

“Everyone has their own unique story,” the pastor went on. “My story is both tragic and wondrous. From the time I was a child to the time I was a young adult, I just accepted the story of Jesus as merely a story designed to bring happiness and hope to the reader, but didn’t truly believe it in my heart. I rejected most of the Bible for much of my life, though I grew up in a Christian home.” He sighed heavily. “Occasionally, I was sent to visit my uncle on holidays, Christmas included, and I always dreaded those times. My uncle would drink and get angry at me and beat me and abuse me severely, and the worst part was my parents knew nothing about this. I never told them. I was too afraid. They died never knowing what happened to me.”

Cloudy sat where she was, still as stone, hardly daring to stir or breathe. Had she heard right? The pastor was abused?

“Wow,” Miriam said grimly under her breath. “Pastor Parsons is right. Everyone does have their own unique story.”

“That’s awful,” Nika whispered.

“It’s more than awful. It’s appalling,” Eloise muttered. “How could anyone treat a young boy like that?”

The pastor was quiet, struggling to speak through his emotions. Meta Knight tensed, then closed his eyes tightly. Scazzarda noticed and she reached out her hand and took his, squeezing it gently. “It’s all right, Magnus,” she said soothingly. “It’s all right.”

Meta Knight shuddered. “Mother. . .”

“Shhh.” She hugged him to herself and he returned the affection, burying his face in her chest to hide his tears. “Oh, Magnus.”

“Mother, I can’t stand hearing about others being abused.”

“I know, son,” Scazzarda whispered. “I know.”

Cloudy watched the two, her eyes glimmering with sadness and sorrow. Meta Knight was struggling—a lot. Cloudy wanted to leap up and scream out to the whole wide world that it wasn’t fair for anyone to be abused while others lived nice, peaceful, non-abusive lifestyles. For a moment, Cloudy felt ashamed to live in such a nice home with such godly parents. Was it right for her to live in the lap of luxury while Meta Knight suffered? Meta Knight had battled in the army. He had watched his friends die. He had buried his fallen comrades. He  grappled with his pain and abuse. He sought answers to his trials, only never to find them. But worst of all, he had no hope in Jesus Christ.

Meanwhile, Cloudy was living a life of peace. She wasn’t having to watch people die all the time or bury anyone. She didn’t have to worry about being abused. She had parents who were willing to supply her with answers if they could when she had any questions about life. But most of all, she had Jesus in her life.

Was all this right? Was it fair?

Cloudy had no answers. She could only hold on to the trust she had in Christ.

“I hid my pain inside for so many years,” the pastor continued, his voice cracking. “My breaking point came not long after I married my wife, June Marie. I was under stress, trying to hold myself together, and I was wrestling with my abuse. Then Junie did something I’ll never forget. She walked over to me where I was sitting on my bed and sat down beside me, then put her hand on my shoulder and asked, ‘Dave, are you okay?’ Her voice was so compassionate and gentle, I started crying. She held me as I cried onto her shoulder, and I finally poured out to her the story of my abuse and pain I had hidden for so long. She suggested I go to therapy, and I said I would. Then she looked me right in the eye and said, ‘Dave, you also need Jesus. Jesus can help you.’

“‘What can Jesus do for me? Especially after all I’ve done and been through?’ I asked bitterly.

“‘Jesus doesn’t care about our race or background,’ she replied calmly. ‘He just wants you with Him. He wants to love you like no one else ever could.'”

“So true, Junie,” Star murmured.

“Her words went unheeded for some time. Then one day, at a Christmas lights festival, I saw this amazing Nativity set, and as I gazed at the Baby Jesus, Junie’s words came back to me. Instantly, I understood what Junie had meant. I saw how perfect that Baby was and how rotten and sinful I was, and I knelt down right there, by that Nativity scene, and I asked God to save me. He did, and from that moment forward, I began to heal.”

Nika gasped. “Amazing!” she whispered.

“It jut goes to show, God can change anyone,” Cloudy said.

Scazzarda nodded in agreement. “That He can,” she declared.

The pastor’s eyes suddenly filled with tears and they began to stream down his face. He glared out at the audience, his eyes snapping sparks. Cloudy recoiled a little at his look, wondering why he looked so.

“Listen to me, people!” the pastor shouted. “Listen! We all have our own stories of faith and repentance! But there are times we lose faith! There are those in this sanctuary that have never repented, those who struggle with the pain of their past! I know so! And I want those people to know that your past does not define you and never will! You can choose to go the opposite direction of your horrible past and live rightly! You can! But it must be your choice! You must make the decision to  turn away from the evils of your past! You must choose to dump all of that sin! And if you think that God cannot love you, then listen to this!”

He flipped ahead a few pages in his Bible to Isaiah 9, then began to read verses 2-7. “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire. For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!”

The pastor shut his Bible and shouted out, “Listen! Did you hear that wonderful promise?! God sent His Son to die for all you filthy, rotten sinners! He did that so you could be free of your past, free of our sins, free of our chains that bind us to our old life! And all you have to do is believe that with all your heart and mind and body and soul and you will be saved!”

“That’s right; amen!” Cloudy shouted.

“Amen!” several people echoed.

The pastor sniffled and wiped his eyes, then said, “I’m going to throw out an altar call. If you wish to be saved, come to the front. Our ushers will pray with you.”

Instantly, several men, women, and children got out of their seats and ran up to the front, getting down on their faces before the Lord. The ushers came around to pray with them. Cloudy felt a fiery excitement welling up deep within her as she watched the ushers pray with the lost lambs of God’s flock. When they finished, those newly born Christians stood up, filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit and intense joy.

“Amen! Amen!” Cloudy yelled. Everyone stared at her in a amazemrnt, but Springtime and Showersotrm too called out, “Amen! Hallelujah!”

“Thank You, Jesus!” called Miriam.

“Thank You!” said Zach.

“We praise You!” Star called.

One by one, everybody began shouting out thanks and praises to God. The pastor, smiling even through his tears, announced, “The sermon is now ended. Let’s do the candlelight ceremony.”

The ushers passed around tiny white candles and the pastor lit his candle, which he used to light one of the usher’s candles. The usher then went to the farthest left front-row person, which was Scazzarda, and lit her candle, which she used to light Meta Knight’s candle, which he used to light Cloudy’s candle, and so on. When everyone had had their candles lit, the pastor said softly, “Let us sing, ‘Silent Night.'”

So everyone sang the sweet but uplifting melody, Meta Knight included. But as he sang, he felt no joy. Only a deep darkness pressing on his soul. The image of his pregnant daughter being beat by his drunk son flashed into his mind, overwhelming him with despair and guilt. Guilt because he failed to protect her. Guilt because she had been in severe danger, but he had left her behind anyway.

“Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child!
Holy Infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.”

Meta Knight was beginning to feel ashamed, He felt like a hypocrite. He was singing this beautiful hymn of Jesus’ birth and he didn’t even believe in this Baby. As he realized that, he felt sick. Dropping his candle, he turned and sprinted out of the church. Thankfully, the candle’s flame went out as soon as it hit the carpet and didn’t set fire to the church.

No one seemed to notice he had vanished, but one child did.

“Silent night, holy night,
Darkness flies, all is light;
Shepherds hear the angels sing,
‘Alleluia! hail the King!
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born.'”

Cloudy grinned happily, feeling exhilarated. She was having as much fun singing as she had when she was doing the play!

“Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.”

Everyone then softly sang together with one voice, in perfect pitch and harmony so that they sounded like a chorus:

“Silent night, holy night,
Wondrous star, lend the light;
With the angels let us sing
Alleluia to our King;
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born.”

The song ended, and the pastor said calmly, “You may blow out your candles now.”

The crowd did so. Then the pastor said, “Now we are going to sing one last worship song before we dismiss. This is Joy Williams’ song, ‘Here With Us.’ Anyone who knows this song may come up and sing it with my niece Juliana and her mother.”

Star blinked in astonishment. “Wait. Juliana is the pastor’s niece?!” she whispered to Miriam.

Miriam too was astonished. “Go figure,” she said. “That’s quite a surprise.”

Meanwhile, Cloudy was thinking over the pastor’s words. She knew which song the pastor was talking about. She had heard it on the radio a few times over the past two weeks or so, so she knew the lyrics and the tune. Before anyone else could speak up, Cloudy raised her paw high. “I’ll sing it,” she said.

The pastor smiled. “Great. Come on up and sing it with Julie and her mom,” he said.

Cloudy obediently stood and walked onstage, taking her place in front of the microphone. Juliana’s mother was seated at the piano and Juliana stood beside Cloudy, facing the audience. Cloudy felt a bit nervous, but she reminded herself that there was nothing to be anxious about.

Juliana’s mother began to play the sweet, solemn melody on the piano keys, and both Juliana and Cloudy sang:

“It’s still a mystery to me
That the hands of God could be so small
How tiny fingers reaching in the night
Were the very hands that measured the sky.

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven’s love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Son of God, servant King
Here with us
You’re here with us, mm.”

Springtime and Showerstorm smiled at their daughter’s alluring, somber tone as it drifted among each person in the audience. The crowd was captivated by the two girls’ singing. Miriam was stunned as Cloudy’s rich tone floated around the sanctuary, creating an atmosphere of peace and joy too ineffable. Scazzarda was smiling, internally thinking, Cloudy, I’m proud of you, dear.

Meanwhile, Cloudy was peering at the back of the church as she sang, and she saw Meta Knight standing by the double doors, wrapped in his cape. His eyes were a light blue hue. Cloudy’s ears perked up sharply and she smiled. Meta Knight was here! He was listening to her sing!

“It’s still a mystery to me, oh
How His infant eyes have seen the dawn of time
How His ears have heard an angel’s symphony
But still, Mary had to rock her Savior to sleep!”

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven’s love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Son of God, servant King
Here with us
You’re here with us
Mm, la la la, mm, oh
You’re here with us, la la la.”

There was a break in the song for a few seconds, and then Cloudy softly sang:

“Jesus, the Christ, born in Bethlehem
A baby born to save, to save the souls of man!”

Juliana joined back in with her.

“Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven’s love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Son of God, servant King
Here with us!
Oh, hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven’s love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Son of God, servant King
Here with us!”

The outro came, and nearly everyone joined the two girls in singing:

“You’re here with us.
You’re here with us.”

That was the end of the song. Juliana and Cloudy backed away from the microphones and bowed low, and a crash of applause startled them. The cheering and clapping and whistles became so loud that Cloudy later swore she almost went deaf. The pastor too applauded for her and Juliana, and then asked Cloudy, “What’s your name, child?”

“Cloudburst,” Cloudy said, giving her formal name.

“Everybody, give it up for Cloudburst and Juliana!” Pastor parsons yelled, and everyone whooped and shouted with delight and hailed the two girls for their wonderful singing, clapping so fiercely that the sanctuary echoed with their applause.

“Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!” Pastor Parsons called.

“Yay! Whoo!” every person in the throng clamored, and everyone began getting up out of their seats and hugging one another and wishing one another a Merry Christmas.

Cloudy watched the merry scene with a grin on her face, her emerald eyes shining. Then she leaped off the stage and pushed through the thick multitude. As she did, she felt a tap on her back and looked full into Scazzarda’s face. “Miss Scazzarda!”

“Cloudy, I’m so proud of you!” Scazzarda said happily. “You’re a fine girl!”

“Thank you!” Cloudy answered. Then she disappeared into the crowd and sidled over to Meta Knight, who was staring at the crowd with his eyes glowing a light green.

“Meta Knight!” Cloudy shouted.

Meta Knight jumped slightly and looked at Cloudy, his eyes shifting back to their medium-yellow color. “Cloudy!”

“You heard me sing! You heard me!” Cloudy leapt on him, wagging her tail with vehement excitement. “Did you like it? What did you think of it? Tell me!”

“I believe you girls spoke a lot of truth and wisdom in that song,” Meta Knight replied. “It was rich and deep and—it—spoke something to my heart.”

“What?” Cloudy’s eyes were filled with interest.

Meta Knight slowly shook his head. “Something—but I do not know what.”

“Perhaps one day you will find the answer,” Cloudy said.

“Yes. Maybe one day.” Meta Knight looked thoughtfully at the ceiling, then down at Cloudy. “And perhaps one day I will find the answer to the mystery surrounding you.”

“Me?” Cloudy was puzzled. “How am I a mystery?”

“Your behavior and intentions are hard to deduce,” Meta Knight chuckled. He then became sober. “But there is something else about you. You possess a strange power I do not.”

“What’s that?”

“Ah, that’s the mystery,” Meta Knight said airily.

Cloudy was terribly confused, but decided not to say anything more. She would never truly understand Meta Knight and he would never truly understand her, so that made them even. And that was fine by Cloudy.

One of the ushers swung open the double doors of the church and cold air rushed inside. People began pouring outside, mingling in groups as they chatted. Without warning, a woman shrieked and jumped back as she was preparing to exit the church. A giant bird ran past her and darted into the church, running right past Nika.

Eloise’s mouth dropped open. “It’s a turkey!” she exclaimed.

Meta Knight raised an eyebrow. “A turkey in the middle of Leupochena?”

Lea gazed intently at the bird. “Leupochena’s a tiny town. There aren’t very many turkeys here, I assure you that.”

Cloudy tilted her head and gazed at the turkey, who fixed its beady eyes on her. As it moved its head, Cloudy noticed something glimmering around its neck. She squinted and peered more closely at it, and she gasped. It was a blue sapphire collar!

“The prized turkey!” Cloudy shouted. “Nika! It’s the missing turkey!”

Nika bent down and ran her finger along the smooth stones. “It’s true!”

Pastor Parsons came over to them just then. “Hey, kids. What’s all the hubbub?”

“This turkey,” Valerie said, pointing to it. “It ran into the church when the usher opened the door.”

The pastor stared at the turkey for a second, then exclaimed, “Zambene!” He scooped up the turkey and held it in his arms, and it stared at him.

“Whoa!” Cloudy exclaimed. “You mean you’re the owner of this royal turkey?!”

The pastor chuckled. “Did you children read my post?”

“We did,” said Eloise.

“Well, I want to thank you tremendously for finding my turkey.” He smiled ruefully. “Zambene must have escaped from her cage one night because I probably left the door unlocked. Smart turkey. She always could open unlocked doors. I’ll make sure to keep it locked from now on.”

“We found the turkey!” Eloise cheered, doing a neat handstand.

“Hooray for us!” Lea said.

The pastor grinned at their enthusiasm. “I really wish I could offer you a reward, but I don’t have enough trinkets for all of you. . .”

“Well, grant us a wish then,” Nika said. “Come spend Christmas with us at Vastre Hall tomorrow and bring June Marie. I want to meet her.”

“Bring Juliana too,” Cloudy chimed in.

“Deal,” Pastor Parsons said. “I will see you all at Vastre Hall tomorrow, bright and early.”

“But don’t wake us up by banging on the front door,” Star said with a giggle, handing him a key. “That’s a spare Mister Frank gave us. You can just let yourself in—without spooking anyone, that is.”

Pastor Parsons laughed. “All right.”

Cloudy and her family and friends waved goodbye to the pastor and stepped outside into the cool, crisp air. Hundreds of stars twinkled brightly in the black sky and Christmas lights from nearby buildings illuminated the worn bricks of Christ Church.

“Look!” Elena shouted, pointing toward the side of the church. An inflatable decoration of the Nativity stood there, swaying slightly in the passing breezes. For a few minutes, the churchgoers stood on or around the steps and gazed in awe at the magnificent display.

“Amazing,” Meta Knight murmured.

“Truly astounding,” Zach agreed.

“Come!” Scazzarda shouted. “Let’s get back to Vastre Hall! Everyone in the car!”

“Hey, look! It’s Mister Frank!” Lea yelled, pointing toward the red van. Sure enough, Frank’s van was parked next to it, and Frank was standing by the driver’s side door, smiling. When he saw Cloudy and her crew, he waved.

Sniper, his brothers and parents, Zach, and Arrow excitedly clambered inside the van with Scazzarda as Summer and her family jumped into the bed of the truck. Meanwhile, Cloudy and the rest of her friends climbed into the black van.

However, Meta Knight stood where he was, looking at the decoration, his eyes filled with worry. Cloudy wondered if he was still thinking about Liloy. Then she noticed that Frank was leaning against the black van, gazing at the ground, and one word flashed through her mind: Dana. She had completely forgotten about Dana in the excitement of the evening. How was she? Was her baby okay?

“Hey, guys?” Cloudy turned to her friends. “We need to pray for both Liloy and Miss Dana now!”

“Huh? Why do we need to pray for Liloy?” Nika asked.

“Because Meta Knight’s drunken son, Gregory, beat her up.” Cloudy clapped a paw over her mouth, realizing that she had unintentionally revealed one of the darkest secrets of Meta Knight’s past that she had promised him she wouldn’t tell anyone. Big mistake.

Miriam blinked. “What?!”

“His son’s drunk?!” Nika exclaimed, horrified.

“How come you never told us?” Lea asked.

Cloudy sighed, knowing she had to tell her friends the truth. “I promised Meta Knight I wouldn’t.”

“Why?” Eloise asked. “We’re your friends. You can trust us. You could have told us and we would never have breathed a word of it to anyone.”

“He struggles a lot,” Cloudy replied miserably, a torrent of words pouring out of her before she could stop herself. “He was abused, neglected, hurt, and traumatized in more ways than one.  His dad is Nightmare. Yes, the Nightmare,” she emphasized, noting her friends’ stunned looks. “Nightmare beat him and injured him physically, emotionally, and mentally, and now Meta Knight cannot trust anyone.”

Miriam let out her breath. “No wonder he’s so quiet and withdrawn,” she muttered.

“But he seems to have a wonderful relationship with his mother,” Star pointed out.

“His mother was always kind and loved him immensely,” Cloudy replied. “He loves her too.”

Nika glanced out the window at Meta Knight, then at Frank. “Well. what are we waiting for?” she cried. “Let’s pray! I’ll start.”

They all bowed their heads and Nika began to pray aloud. “Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You to lift up Meta Knight and Mister Frank. We ask that You help them and that Dana and Liloy would be okay and that they would survive. . .”

RING!!

Cloudy jumped and her eyes popped open. Both Frank and Meta Knight’s phones had rung at the same time. Frank took out his phone and Meta Knight took out his, and both walked off to speak to whoever was calling.

“Uh, what’s happening?” Miriam asked.

Cloudy shook her head as if to say she had no clue.

“Perhaps the Lord is at work?” Eloise suggested, her voice filled with reverence.

“He’s always at work, Eloise,” Valerie said. “He never stops working.”

“Shh! Here comes Mister Frank!” Eloise hissed, looking out the window.

Frank walked over to the red van, opened the door, and said something to the occupants inside. Then he shut the door and walked over to the red van and swung open the door, his eyes shining.

“Mister Frank!” Valerie said. “What is it?”

Frank grinned. “Do you want to drive over to the hospital to see my son?”

Nika let out a cheer.

“Oh, goodness!” Lea exclaimed. “Your son is born?!”

“Mm-hm.” Frank nodded. “Dana’s okay and so is he. Wanna see him?”

“Yes!” Cloudy shouted.

Frank’s face then grew long. “She and the baby won’t be able to join us tomorrow, but,” he said, cheering up, “at least I know they’re okay.”

“Look!” Eloise pointed. “It’s Meta Knight!”

Meta Knight climbed into the van and sat down beside Cloudy, his eyes glowing light blue. He was trembling slightly, but Cloudy couldn’t tell if it was from excitement or anxiety.

“Meta Knight?” Cloudy said. “Are you okay?”

Meta Knight nodded. “Yes.”

“Who called you?” Star demanded, leaning forward and propping her front paws on Meta Knight’s headrest.

“It was Mother’s sister.” His voice quivered with emotion. “Liloy’s okay and she’s going to live.”

Miriam and Star traded shocked looks.

Miriam’s eyes widened. “Are—Are you serious?!”

“Yes,” the knight replied. He smiled. “I’m serious.”

Cloudy shook her head in amazement. “Now I know this was the Lord’s doing,” she said in reverence.

Meta Knight shot her a puzzled look. “Can you explain what you mean?”

Star jumped in, “We prayed that Dana and Liloy would be okay, and directly after that both your phone and Frank’s rang.”

Meta Knight gasped. “Tell me you’re joking.”

“No,” Eloise confirmed. “She’s not kidding. We’re all witnesses.”

Nika touched Meta Knight’s arm. “And Mister Frank said his son was born and that he and Dana are all right. We’re gonna drive to the hospital and see them.”

Meta Knight said nothing, but Nika felt him shaking and gave him a hug.

“Meta Knight?” Eloise asked, concerned.

“Don’t,” Cloudy broke in. “He’s just happy. Don’t bother him.”

Star threw back her head and let out a howl, causing everyone to jump. “Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! Amen! Glory to God!”

“Come, Emmanuel!” Miriam shouted. “Come and save us all!”

“Behold your King!” Cloudy yelled.

“Behold Your Messiah!” Lea called out.

“Emmanuel, God with us!” Valerie chimed in.

“Hey, all these phrases remind me of Lauren Daigle’s song, ‘Light of the World,'” Nika said. “Why don’t we sing it?”

“Excellent idea,” Frank said as he climbed into the driver’s seat and turned on the ignition. “We can sing on the way to the hospital.”

“Yippee!” Cloudy cheered.

Frank started the van and began to drive away from the church, and the red van followed. As they drove, Cloudy started off the song.

“The world waits for a miracle
The heart longs for a little bit of hope
O come, O come, Emmanuel!
A child prays for peace on earth
And she’s calling out from a sea of hurt
O come, O come, Emmanuel!

And can you hear
The angels singing?

Glo-o-o, o-o-ory to the Light of the world
Glo-o-o, o-o-ory, the Light of the world
Is here!”

“My turn!” Nika sang.

“The drought breaks with the tears of a mother
A baby’s cry is the sound of love
Come down, come down Emmanuel!
He is the song for the suffering!
He is Messiah
The Prince of Peace
Has come, He has come, Emmanuel!”

Then the others except for Meta Knight began to sing with Nika.

“Glo-o-o, o-o-ory to the Light of the world!
Glo-o-o, o-o-ory to the Light of the world!
Glo-o-o, o-o-ory to the Light of the world!
Glo-o-o, o-o-ory to the Light of the world!

For all who wait
For all who hunger
For all who’ve prayed
For all who wander

Behold your King!
Behold Messiah!
Emmanuel, Emmanuel!

Glo-o-o, o-o-ory to the Light of the world!
Glo-o-o, o-o-ory to the Light of the world!
Glo-o-o, o-o-ory to the Light of the world!

Behold your King!
Behold Messiah!
Emmanuel, Emmanuel!”

Then the kids softly sang together, finishing out the song:

“The world waits for a miracle
The heart longs for a little bit of hope
O come, O come, Emmanuel…”

* * * * *

Frank walked into Sanfern Hospital  and over to the receptionist. “Hey, I’m here to see Dana Mesterein. I’m her husband,” he explained.

The woman nodded. “Room 409,” she said. Then she grinned as she saw the large crowd that was standing behind Frank. “That’s quite a group you have.”

“Yes, they’re visiting us till the New Year,” he said.

The woman chuckled. “Merry Christmas to you all!”

“Thanks!” Star answered.

Frank led them over to the elevator. Since they couldn’t all fit inside at once, he had them split into two groups and they would wait for the second group after they went to Floor 4. After the two groups were gathered together, Frank walked along the hallway and gazed at each of the room numbers until he saw Room 409. He knocked on the door and waited.

“Come in,” called a voice from inside.

Frank opened the door and entered inside, Cloudy and her relations and friends following behind. “Hey, Dana!” Frank said.

“Frank and the crew!” Dana said happily. Her face was pale and her neck was lightly bandaged, but she looked happy and healthy. “I missed you all! How was the Christmas Eve service?”

“It was great!” Cloudy burst out, and she launched into a detailed account of the happening that went on that night. It wasn’t easy since the other kids kept interrupting to add their own parts and thoughts, but Dana seemed to understand their jumble of words.

“That sounds amazing!” Dana said when they had finished. “And Cloudy, you and Juliana both performed a song together at church! I’m proud of you! I bet it was awesome!”

“It was definitely top of the Big Hits list,” Eloise playfully joked.

Dana grinned slyly at Scazzarda. “So you came through for me after all, hmmm? I knew you would.”

“I’d never let you down,” Scazzarda said.

“I know.” Dana then pointed to a little glass bed in the corner. A tiny baby was sleeping in it, tubes and wires connected to his frail body. “That’s my son. His name is Magnus Hiram Mesterein.”

“Hiram?” Scazzarda repeated. “Isn’t that the name of your father, Frank?”

“Yeah,” Frank nodded. “And Magnus is the name of. . .”

All eyes turned to Meta Knight.

“My son,” Scazzarda finished. She turned to Dana. “But why, Dana?”

Dana smiled sweetly. “Meta Knight is a wonderful father and a strong warrior. I wanted to name my child after someone I really admire and love with my whole heart. Though Meta Knight might feel like anyone couldn’t love him, this is my way of saying I do love him.”

Nika’s eyes filled with tears. “He does need to be reminded that he’s loved.”

“I’ll say this,” Cloudy strongly declared. “Everyone in this room loves you, Meta Knight. They love you with a special kind of love—agape. Jesus’ love.”

Meta Knight couldn’t speak. He felt himself tearing up as he fully realized for the first time these people he was surrounded by—they truly did love him. Not with the so-called “love” that so many used flippantly; they loved him with a love that was out of this world and infinitely better than any other kind of love—God’s love.

“Magnus?” Scazzarda said softly.

Meta Knight began to cry and Scazzarda hugged him, laughing. She felt so joyful. Her son finally understood how much he was loved, and that was what she had always wanted him to know.

“Meta Knight!” Eloise cried, running to him and embracing him. “Meta Knight, why are you crying?”

Meta Knight had to laugh at her question. “I’m just happy, Eloise. I’m happy I’m loved and accepted.”

“Of course you’re loved and accepted!” Miriam exclaimed! “Why wouldn’t you be?”

“I guess because of my past, I felt nobody could ever love me,” Meta Knight confessed.

“Nonsense,” Lea said. “We all love you and so does Jesus.”

“Thank you,” Meta Knight replied. He grinned as the other children swarmed over to him and threw their arms around him. Cloudy and her siblings stood where they were, smiling, happy that everything was now right. God had worked out everything for good, just like He had promised in His Word.

“Come on, everyone,” Frank said, yawning. “Let’s get back to Vastre Hall. It’s late and I’m bushed.”

“Okay,” said Eloise.

As the group filed out of the room, Cloudy turned around and waved a paw at Dana. “Goodbye, Miss Dana. See you.”

“See you, Cloudy,” Dana said. “Merry Christmas.”

* * * * *

By the time Cloudy and her friends arrived back at Vastre Hall, it was almost eleven. Yawning, the children stumbled out of the van into the house, heading right to bed. They were so sleepy they could barely keep their eyes open.

As Cloudy tumbled into bed, she thought, Thank You, Lord, for an amazing Christmas. I’m truly glad to have a Friend like You. Then her eyes closed and she fell asleep, dreaming of candy canes and mistletoe dancing to “Light of the World” as angels harmonized together and shepherds sang praises to God.

* * * * *

Cloudy opened one eye, then the other. It was gray outside. She sat up in bed, her eyes straying to her clock.  Five-thirty in the morning. Jumping out of her bed and hurriedly making it, she raced downstairs and into the living room. The other children were already awake and sitting around the Christmas tree with Pastor Parsons, Juliana included. He was telling them the story of the Nativity in full detail and explaining that that was why they celebrated Christmas. Apparently, when he had said he would be at Vastre Hall bright and early, he meant it. Seated beside the pastor was a woman she didn’t recognize.

“Hey, Cloudy!” the unfamiliar woman said sweetly, waving to the puppy.

Cloudy stood where she was, staring at the woman. “Uh, how do you know my name?”

“Why, my husband told me all about you and so did your friends,” the woman said. “I’m June Marie.”

“Junie?!” Cloudy exclaimed.

“Yes, Junie.” Junie grinned and brushed back a stray lock of her dark-brown hair. “It’s nice to finally meet you all.”

“Junie, you’re so nice,” Star said.

“Of course. My parents said I was always a nice girl,” Junie said. “But because God loves me and is kind to me, I can do the same to others.”

Just then, the rest of the adults walked downstairs. “Hey!” Frank shouted cheerfully. “Merry Christmas, kids!”

“Merry Christmas!” Cloudy shouted in return. The rest of the children echoed her greeting.

“Let’s get to opening presents, shall we?” Scazzarda said.

“Yeah!” Eliot howled.

“Let’s do this!” Karrie hollered.

“Now I’m afraid since there are so many of you kids and adults, we could afford to get you all one gift each. Hope you like it, though, and there are more surprises throughout the day!” Frank said. “Now dig in!”

For the next few minutes, the only sound was the excited chattering of children and the rustle of tissue paper. The girls squealed with delight and the boys shouted with joy when they brought out their gifts.

“Look, I got a doll!” Nika shouted in gladness.

“I got a necklace!” Star cheered.

Cloudy drew out her gift. It was a pretty lace fichu with all kinds of different shapes of different colors embroidered into it. Amazed, she drew it around her shoulders. She wondered how could have gotten it for her. She glanced across the room and scanned every adult until her eyes fell on Meta Knight. His eyes glowed pink and she could have sworn he smiled under his mask. Cloudy couldn’t help but smile back at him. He was so kind—just like his mother.

“Merry Christmas, Clo—Whoa!” Miriam exclaimed as she spied the pretty fichu. “Who gave you that?”

Cloudy jerked her head in the direction of Meta Knight. “He did.”

“Awwww,” said Miriam. “He really loves you, doesn’t he?”

“As a friend, yes,” Cloudy replied. “And I do the same.”

“You two are so lucky to have each other as friends,” Miriam said. “Who knows? Maybe one day you and he will be traversing the world on all kinds of adventures!”

Cloudy’s brow furrowed in thought. “Yes,” she said. “Perhaps we will.”

And as Cloudy again gazed at Meta Knight, she thanked God for him—for all her friends.

__ __ __

Note: The “Silent Night” version may not be what you are accustomed to hearing (or reading), but this version was written by Joseph Mohr. He was born at Salzburg, Austria, on Dec. 11, 1792. After being ordained priest on Aug. 21, 1815, by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Salzburg, he was successively assistant at Ramsau and at Laufen; then coadjutor at Kuchl, at Golling, at Vigaun, at Adnet, and at Authering; then Vicar-Substitute at Hof and at Hintersee–all in the diocese of Salzburg. In 1828 he was appointed Vicar at Hintersee, and in 1837 at Wagrein, near St. Johann. He died at Wagrein, Dec. 4, 1848. The credit for this version goes to him.

Joy Williams, Jason Ingram, and Ben Glover wrote the song “Here With Us.” All credit goes to them.

Lauren Daigle, Paul Duncan, and Paul Mabury wrote “Light of the World.” All credit goes to them for this song.