Christmas Eve, 1960.

In the village of Orgemont, France, just south of Paris, our community of 7 brothers had gathered for communion.

Andre de Robert, the retreat center’s director, stood behind the chapel’s small oak table and read: “For unto us a child is born, a son is given” [Isaiah 9:6]

As a pastor of the Reformed Church of France, Andre knew too well those countless “sons” who were lost in France and across Europe in World War II and how all who loved them miss them. Of the difference they might have made.

Such is our world, which God loves.

Thus Andre directed us to Isaiah’s verse, through whom God promised to send a son, unlike the world has ever known, for each and all of us – a wonderful counselor to fill that empty space that life so often leaves in human hearts.

On that evening we stood in the cold of that small chapel, perhaps like Luke’s shepherd’s may have stood in the glow of the angels’ presence and, looking toward Andre, received the cup and holy bread of that son, given for us, on whose shoulders all authority ultimately rests, the mighty God and everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Then, in silence we left the chapel and walked through the village, pausing at each farmhouse, to sing our Christmas carols.