Shake My Faith

The First Noel

"So, what songs are we having the kids sing?" You asked as you walked up to Josh, watching as he flipped through the sheet music mindlessly.

"I think we have to have The First Noel on there, I think this year will be the year they can finally hit some of those high notes." Josh sat the sheet music aside for that song before his search began once more, flipping page by page until he found at least two other songs he wanted the children to sing.

The church's Christmas Eve service was a tradition for you and the twins. As children you looked forward to singing in it, watching the gleam of your parents from the crowd. As soon as the three of you became youth leaders, you instantly picked up the task of organizing it.

You would be playing the piano for the evening, Jake would be playing guitar, with Josh on vocals as per usual for the service, and off stage to direct the children while they sing. Josh pulled a second sheet of music from his pile, mulling over it for a minute before turning it to you with a raised brow.

"Ohh. Silent Night. Nice choice, that's one of my favorites." Your lips found his cheek before you pulled away from his body. "I'm going to head out for a second, I think some of the kids are going to be here for practice shortly. I love you."

"Hmm. I love you too, angel."

There was a comfortable silence in the sanctuary as Josh sat on the edge of the stage, occasionally looking up to watch as Jake sat in the sound booth, making the slideshow of lyrics for the service. He was still trying to figure out what he wanted them to sing as the final song, when his phone buzzed next to his thigh.

Angel ♡ | SOS! Need assistance downstairs

Jake watched as Josh practically jumped from his spot and bolted out of the sanctuary. The lights were dimmed upon his arrival, and not a single child was in sight. Confused, Josh raised the lights in the room and placed both hands upon his hip as he turned side to side.

There were only a few other places downstairs where Josh could think you may be, so he ventured down the hall in search of you. His hand pressed against one of the doors, pushing it open only to be greeted with an empty room. A few more steps down the hall and he was at the youth room.

His hand worked the doorknob to allow the door to click open, the lights were still out yet he swore he could hear the ever so faint giggle of a child, he continued to open the door.

From the darkness he could hear the patter of feet before he could see them, but they all latched onto him at once pushing him backwards. "JOSHY!!" Some of the kids nearly screamed out in unison. "YOU FOUND US!"

He leaned down to wrap his arms around the kids and grant them one of the biggest squeezes of their lives. From the side, he heard you giggle followed by the click of the light switch. "You came running down here much faster than expected, Josh."

There was something about the look you gave him that almost had him melting to his knees but he held himself together. "Well yeah, an SOS is deserving of some speedy feet. What's wrong? Are you guys hurt?!"

Josh put on a voice of faux concern as he lifted one of the youngest children off the floor, turning her side to side to give a rather dramatic health check. Sandy erupted in laughter that drew tears to the inner corner of her eyes. "I'm okay Josh, I promise!" She busted out through rounds of giggles.

"Okay okay... I guess I believe you." Josh gently placed Sandy back down on the ground and looked out towards the rest of the kids. "I picked a few songs I know you already know, so I think we should practice them a few times so we can sound like professionals on Christmas Eve. How does that sound?"