Page 25 of Catching Christmas
Epilogue
One year later
One thousand people crammed into the town square for the First Annual Noel Christmas Eve Outdoor Candlelight Service. In the name of community, all the churches and organizations came together to celebrate the Savior’s birth.
Derek stepped to the podium. “I want to thank everyone for coming out tonight. Before we jump into our service, I want to introduce our honorary mayor. Sam Donaldson, will you come up please.”
The crowd cheered for the man who’d brought jobs back to Noel.
Sam wore a festive red suit with holly leaves embroidered on the chest pocket. “I’m truly honored to be here tonight. Choosing a new location for business often brings a unique set of challenges, but the opening of this new factory has occurred without a hitch, and that’s owed to the passion and determination of this town’s citizens. I can’t count the number of men and women who’ve come up and thanked me for their new job, but this truth is, each of you deserve a bigger thanks than me. You’ve demonstrated faith during trials and generosity in poverty. Your Christlike attitudes keep me here longer than business requires, simply because I enjoy your company. Merry Christmas and God bless.”
Another round of applause circled through the town square.
Derek took the microphone back and introduced Tae Redmond, the worship leader for the evening. The up and coming music star said a few words before she led the town in a traditional version of “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”
Free of his duties until the end, Derek slipped behind the crowd and found Brenna. He wasn’t about to miss spending his first candlelight service as a married man without his wife, especially since they’d only been married for several hours.
He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her in close to him. “Merry Christmas.”
Smiling, her eyes met his with an adoring gaze. “Remember last year when I said it was the best Christmas ever?”
“Yes.”
Her eyes twinkled. “This one topped it.”
