The 24th of December had arrived, and a heavy snowfall blanketed the church grounds. The entire landscape was pristine, glowing under the pale light of the evening. Maria sat in her small room, gazing out the frost-covered window, her thoughts scattered. The ticking clock on the wall echoed in the quiet space, marking the passage of time.
Maria: (to herself, sighing)
"Catherine is probably sitting by her family's fireplace right now, surrounded by warmth and love. And here I am, wondering what to do next."
She glanced around the room. Her belongings were scattered—a few books on the desk, clothes draped over the chair, and papers piled on her bedside table.
Maria: (thinking)
"Maybe I should clean up first."
She got up and began tidying her room, humming softly to herself. As she straightened the books on her desk, her eyes fell on a book she had placed there months ago but never touched—the English translation of the Quran.
She hesitated, her hand hovering over it.
Maria: (whispering)
"Should I? I mean... why not? It's just a book, right?"
Summoning her courage, she picked it up and turned it over in her hands, running her fingers over the smooth cover. A moment later, she decided she couldn't read it without washing her hands.
She placed the book back on the desk and walked to the washroom. After thoroughly washing her hands and face, she returned to the room, feeling a mixture of curiosity and nervousness.
Maria: (to herself)
"Alright, let's see what it says."
She sat down, opened the book to the first chapter, and began reading Surah Al-Fatiha. As she read the English translation, the meaning struck her deeply:
"In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to God, the Lord of all worlds, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment..."
Her eyes lingered on the words, and she found herself rereading them.
Maria: (softly)
"This is... different. It feels peaceful."
She continued to read, her thoughts becoming more focused, when suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Startled, she quickly closed the book and tucked it back on the desk under a pile of papers.
Maria: (calling out)
"Just a minute!"
She took a deep breath to compose herself before opening the door. Standing there was Sister Jessica, her face lit with her usual calm smile.
Sister Jessica:
"Maria, I wanted to remind you about the Christmas night prayers. They'll begin at 9 p.m., after dinner. Make sure to be there on time."
Maria: (nodding quickly)
"Of course, Sister Jessica. I'll be there."
Sister Jessica: (smiling warmly)
"Good. Enjoy your evening until then."
After she left, Maria closed the door and leaned against it, exhaling a sigh of relief.
Maria: (whispering to herself)
"Thank God I was able to hide it in time."
Preparing for Christmas
The evening moved quickly, and soon it was time for dinner. Before they began, Sister Jessica assigned Maria a specific duty.
Sister Jessica: (with a clipboard in hand)
"Maria, I need you to help guide the children from the church's school tonight. They'll be performing rhymes and some short skits. Your job is to ensure they get backstage in an orderly manner and are ready when it's their turn. Can you handle that?"
Maria: (smiling and nodding)
"Of course, Sister Jessica. I'll make sure everything goes smoothly."
Sister Jessica: (patting Maria's shoulder)
"Thank you, dear. Sister Rose Brown, their teacher, will be backstage with them to manage their performances. Just follow the schedule and make sure they're prepared."
The Function Begins
After dinner, the church hall came alive with activity. The large Christmas tree stood at the front, adorned with lights and ornaments. Candles flickered on every windowsill, casting a warm glow across the room. The pews were filled with church members, their faces reflecting the joy of the occasion.
Maria gathered the group of fifteen children—some holding props for their performances, others clutching lyric sheets for their rhymes. Their excitement was palpable, and their chatter filled the air.
Maria: (clapping her hands to get their attention)
"Alright, everyone, listen up! We're going to line up in the order of your performances. Make sure you have everything you need. Let's not keep the audience waiting."
One of the younger boys, Timothy, tugged on her sleeve.
Timothy: (nervously)
"Miss Maria, what if I forget the words to my rhyme?"
Maria: (kneeling down to his level, smiling reassuringly)
"Don't worry, Timothy. Just take a deep breath, and remember that everyone out there is rooting for you. You'll do great."
Sister Rose Brown joined them backstage, going over the schedule.
Sister Rose Brown: (to Maria)
"You're doing a wonderful job keeping them calm. I'll send them out one by one when it's their turn."
Maria: (smiling)
"Thank you, Sister Rose. Let's make sure everything goes perfectly."
Maria's Unexpected Role
As the children began their performances, Sister Jennifer, one of the senior members of the church, approached Maria.
Sister Jennifer: (hurriedly)
"Maria, we need someone to do the comparing for tonight's function. The original person couldn't make it due to the snowstorm. Can you step in?"
Maria's eyes widened in surprise.
Maria:
"Me? I've never done that before!"
Sister Jennifer: (encouragingly)
"You'll be fine. Just introduce the performances and keep the audience engaged. I have complete faith in you."
Maria took a deep breath and nodded.
Maria:
"Alright, I'll do my best."
She walked out onto the stage, her heart pounding as she faced the audience. Holding the microphone, she smiled and spoke with as much confidence as she could muster.
Maria:
"Good evening, everyone, and Merry Christmas! Thank you for joining us tonight to celebrate this special occasion. We have a wonderful lineup of performances prepared by our talented children, so sit back, relax, and enjoy the show."
The audience applauded warmly, and Maria felt a surge of relief.
Midnight Prayers
As the clock struck midnight, the large Christmas bell rang, its deep tones resonating through the church. Father Robert stood at the front, leading the congregation in prayer. The solemnity of the moment filled the hall as everyone bowed their heads.
Father Robert: (in a deep, resonant voice)
"On this holy night, we come together to celebrate the birth of our Savior. Let us pray for peace, love, and goodwill among all people."
The prayers continued, and Maria found herself deeply moved by the collective faith surrounding her. She felt a strange calm settle over her, as though a weight she hadn't even realized she was carrying had been lifted.
The End of the Celebration
As the function ended, the children were congratulated for their performances, and the audience began to disperse. Maria stayed behind to help clean up, her mind still lingering on the events of the evening.
Sister Rose Brown: (smiling at Maria)
"You did a wonderful job tonight, Maria. Thank you for stepping in."
Maria: (smiling back)
"It was my pleasure. Seeing everyone so happy made it all worth it."
As she walked back to her room, the snow continued to fall outside, blanketing the world in silence. Maria couldn't help but feel a sense of peace and purpose she hadn't experienced in a long time. Tonight had been more than a celebration—it had been a turning point.