Sunday Meetin' Time

Book One of Sunday Meetin' Time left the Alrods sitting at their Thanksgiving table in 1939. Christmas and the New Year are just around the corner; a heavy snowstorm is brewing over the mountains.

It would be a miracle if "Sandy Claus" could find the Alrod farm. There is no money for gifts... and yet, the Alrods will have "The Best Christmas Ever in the Barn."

Five-year-old LeRoy is wearing a path back and forth from the window trying to get a glimpse of the reindeer landing. The oldest Alrod children, Billy Joe, and Sarah Louise are determined to make Christmas as happy as possible for the little ones. The younger children are sneaking to take bites from Sarah Louise's poorly decorated cookies hanging on the tree. Many of the popcorn strings have more strings showing than popcorn.

Sarah Louise is quite the little Mama caring for the new baby. Papa and the others are helping all they can to make up for Mama's absence. The cast on Papa's broken leg makes it difficult for him to get around. Billy Joe is taking care of the animals.

Medical bills are piling up; with a mortgage on the farm overdue. There haven't been any offerings in the plate at church for Preacher Alrod in several weeks.

The Alrods feel blessed to have had such a resourceful Mama. Because of her hard work all summer long, she has a cellar filled with canned foods; her cabinets are lined with homemade jams and jellies. Papa had filled the smokehouse with as much meat as he could. Without those preparations, they would have nothing to eat.

Yet they were all looking forward to "Night Watch Service" on New Year's Eve bringing in the New Year of 1940 in the little church on the hill.