And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. . . And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. . .” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased. . .”

In September, 1978, Woodrow Wilson Elementary opened as a Magnet School. The objective was desegregation with quality education. The District did not expect us to reach our goal of 100 new students the first week of school so adequate busing was not planned. As Magnet School Coordinator, I was assured that there would be more buses after the first three weeks. However, this time elapsed and there were not. Nerves frayed and tempers flared. It was not a happy campus. One September morning, I was caught by an irate parent. “If
my child were black,” she roared, “you’d have gotten me a bus!” Placating her as best I could, I bumped into another parent who declared, “If my kids were white, you’d have them a bus!” Hoping to see a friendly face, I spoke to a teacher who immediately began a tirade about us not having secured a P. E. teacher. Feeling almost overwhelmed by events out of my control, I suddenly felt my legs enclosed by a child’s hug. I looked down into the face of a beautiful black first-grader who had witnessed the three encounters. She declared,
“But I still love you, Mrs. Parsons.” Joy, inexpressible delight! God’s Christmas message voiced by a child, “I still love you!” When the job gets tough and support seems weak, “I still love you!” When we’re tired and discouraged, “I still love you!” Through the years this reassuring truth has pulled me through many dark
days. “Fear not … I bring you tidings of great joy. I still love you!”

O LOVING FATHER, GRANT US PERCEPTION TO RECOGNIZE YOUR ANGELS AND THEIR GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY, “YOU STILL LOVE US!” AMEN.

– Shared by Pat Parsons