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My young grandson, Eddy, went with us to church recently. During Communion, when the usher came by with the bread and grape juice, Eddy examined the elements and politely said, "No thanks. I'm having lunch at Grandma's today."
—Thomas LaMance, Prewitt, New Mexico

I was playing Christmas carols on the piano for my 4-year-old great-granddaughter, Natalie. When I played "Away in a Manger," I thought she would enjoy hearing the words, so I started to sing as I played. After just a few words, I felt her hand on my arm, and as I looked down at her, she said, "Just let the piano sing it, Grandma."
—Aurlette Driver, Linn Grove, Iowa

As the Christmas Eve congregation stood for prayer, a little girl in the pew ahead placed her doll on the seat beside her. I looked down at the most ugly doll ever. It had a cartoon character face and a bulbous nose. A pink ribbon with an attached pacifier hung from its neck.

Impulsively, I put the pacifier into the doll's mouth to see if the girl would notice. After three quick clicking noises, the doll emitted a high-pitched, non-stop wail.

Everyone stared, and the mother glared at her daughter. "I told you not to put that pacifier in during church!"

"But Mom, I didn't," the little girl said.

"It's my fault. I did it," I confessed. My face burned, rivaling the brightest poinsettia.

The mother turned and gave me an equally sharp glare.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't realize her doll would make noise."

After the prayer, we all returned to our seats. And just as my face was returning to a normal color, my husband stage whispered over the heads of our giggling teenage daughters, "Honey, I would've gotten you your own doll for Christmas if you'd have asked."
—Connie Pettersen, Aitkin, Minnesota

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