Bubble Lights and Hard Candy
Why Mount Carmel Church Means So Much To Me
By Alice Lee Hummer
Mount Carmel United Methodist Church, my home church, meant so much to me growing up on the mountain, near Frogtown. I loved church, especially as a youngster, seeing my friend Doris Lee, families, learning life lessons. I learned how a young girl was to live her life.
Usually, on Sunday mornings, Dad drove the family to church, me starting as a baby in 1945, like being born into the church. I was young but soon graduated to Beginners Class. I learned to read the Bible stories about baby Jesus. The capital beginners class soon learned how to sing songs, with Leota, Mrs. Alma, or Shirley Ann playing the organ.
Christmas Eve was topped off with the children’s Christmas program, and was the highlight of the year for me. Mom gathered us up and off to Winchester to shop for Christmas clothes. Dad either parked at the A&P parking lot or drove to our Aunt Alice’s while he waited until Mom was done shopping. Christmas clothes bought, we hurried home to get ready to wear the new clothes, our best.
Upon entering the church, there stood this huge, green tree near the stage, with clear lights that bubbled and danced like jewels, with bursts of sparkling lights, dancing around the cedar tree, all a glow. My eyes were glued to the tree. Every year I became mesmerized with the clear bubbles as they danced up and down the tree, and I was lost in the wonder of it. Bubble lights. How beautiful to spend a special night in a little church, surrounded by trees of the mountain, and wildlife peeking through the windows, smiling at the wonder of it
Sitting with my friend Dora Lee, sister Shirley, and Peggy, waiting to turn my turn to go on stage, lights turned down — I could almost imagine God’s Heavenly Host harmonizing with our little church group, singing, “Silent Night, Holy Night”
Sitting quietly, I looked for the brown box, hoping the church would give us a naval orange and a small box of hard candy, with peppermint, chocolate, orange slices. I was never disappointed. Yes, there they were, the oranges and candy so pretty in little Christmas boxes with bright ribbons to carry them.
The service being nearly over, I grabbed my gifts, glancing back for one last look at the bubble lights, slipped out into the night, home to dream,. Soon it would be Christmas Day.
Please join us for homecoming Sunday, September 8, at 11am service, “reflections“ of days gone by. We would love to see you. Special music. Questions? Call 540–539–1231. 130 Mount Carmel Road, Boyce, Virginia (over the mountain).
