She had sung through the first two presentations and watched the moving scene three times before. But when the grand finale reached its climax as the cross was raised behind the manger, her heart was stirred. That’s when she heard a clear message – as an almost audible voice whispered:

“Will you do it? Will you do it for me?”

She knew exactly what it meant. She also knew the idea was not hers. She would never have chosen this path. It was God’s idea. He spoke clearly through the image that depicted his great sacrifice for her: from the cradle to the cross. The entire Gospel depicted in one remarkable image, challenged Gail to do the unreasonable: Forgive what seemed to be unforgivable … and take one step toward restoring a marriage that seemed to be far from redeemable.

I had heard parts of the story that same week from Rodney Brooks, my church’s minister of music, when he shared about the many testimonies of how First Baptist Atlanta’s Christmas program has impacted the community in the past 12 years.

He asked me if I knew Gail and Ron, since they are members of my choir. But a group of almost 300 singers makes it almost impossible to know everyone. Nevertheless, the story warmed my heart, and I could not believe it when I “happened” to sit at the same table as the couple during a luncheon a few days later. I knew then that I had to tell their story, which they graciously allowed me to share with my readers.

Gail and Ron had been married for 37 years when a series of circumstances, culminating with the tragic death of their 26-year-old son in a motorcycle accident, sent their marriage into a downward spiral. The pressure of the loss was the straw that broke the camel’s back, and three years later, they started divorce proceedings. Gail had no intention to reconcile — until that Sunday afternoon in December 2017, when God challenged her, as she sang the last chorus of “Amazing Grace,” eyes fixed on the cross being lifted behind baby Jesus’ manger:

“When we’ve been there 10,000 years, bright shining as the sun. We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise, than when we first begun.”

Forgiveness. Redemption. Grace. She was to offer those gifts to the father of her children. She candidly told me the story, as Ron listened, his hands around her and eyes filled with tears.

“I did not want to do it. Not for me, nor for my children or grandchildren. But I would do it for Christ.”

“It was my Christmas miracle,” Ron said, tears dripping down. “I could not believe it when she called to tell me she was coming home.”

This is one of several stories about how First Family Christmas has impacted the community.

When asked about when the preparations start each year, Pastor Brooks did not hesitate: “Oh, I start praying and planning next year’s program when this year’s ends.”

I am not surprised. Having been involved in the program for eight years, the quality of its content never ceases to amaze me. The musical is entertaining for the entire family, always featuring the fun traditional Christmas songs and popular traditions, as well as masterpieces uniquely arranged to deliver chills to the audience. From a complete orchestra to a nearly 300-voice choir, from renowned artists to breathtaking audio-visual effects, FFC is sure to fulfill its mission every year: Prepare Atlanta for the true meaning of Christmas. This year, the production presents the incomparable Babbie Mason and Voices of Mobile as its featured artists. On Friday night, the program is offered for free for residents of shelters around the city, which is, personally, my favorite presentation.

For Gail and Ron, this year’s program marks the first anniversary of the beginning of their reconciliation. And they will be standing in the choir loft together, praising the one whose love, forgiveness and grace prompted the couple to give love a second chance.

First Family Christmas will take place Dec. 8-9 at First Baptist Church Atlanta. For information and tickets, visit www.fba.org.

This article was originally published on Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal Constitution on Saturday – November 24, 2018.

[bctt tweet=”Christmas message gives couple’s marriage a second chance. Read about it on my column for the @AJC” username=”PatHolbrook”]