The Christmas Star Of Willowbrook
Chapter Seven – The Star Returns
~ Hold the Light ~
Verse 1
The night is deep, the sky is wide,
The wind has learned to step aside,
We’ve sung our fears, we’ve nothing to hide
We’re standing here somehow.
Verse 2
Every voice that dared to try,
Every hope that reached the sky,
Still lingers where the echoes lie
The moment’s waiting now.
Chorus
So hold the light, don’t let it fade,
Every wish and promise made,
Love is stronger than we’re afraid
Just listen… hear it start.
Verse 3
We don’t know how the dark will end,
Or what the morning’s light will send,
But hand in hand and friend to friend
We’ve done our part.
Chorus
So hold the light, don’t let it fade,
Every wish and promise made,
Love is stronger than we’re afraid
Just listen… hear it start.
Outro
If the star is listening tonight,
It knows our hearts have learned the light.
For a moment after Ella’s song, no one spoke.
The snow hung in the air, lighter now, drifting down like feathers instead of racing past. The wind sighed and slipped away between the buildings, leaving behind a stillness so gentle it felt almost like a breath being held.
Then a light appeared.
Not in the square.
Not in the lanterns.
In the sky.
Ella was the first to see it.
“Grandpa,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Look.”
High above the clouds, just where the darkness had been thickest, a small point of light glimmered. It was faint at first, no brighter than a pinprick, but it was there. Real and steady.
The Christmas Star.
A soft murmur rippled through the square.
People looked up, scarves slipping, hats forgotten. Someone laughed in surprise. Another wiped away a tear.
“It’s back,” someone breathed.
The star pulsed once, gently, as if listening.
Without thinking, Grandpa lifted his harmonica and played a single, clear note. It floated upward, simple and sure.
Ella joined in, her voice warm now, no longer alone.
Then Mrs Bell began to sing.
Mr Hargreaves cleared his throat and joined in too.
The twins sang from the balcony, their voices ringing bright and bold.
Soon the whole square was filled with sound.
~ Together We Shine ~
Verse 1
One by one we found our way,
Through the night, through cold and grey,
Every voice has something to say
When hearts are open wide.
Verse 2
Hand in hand and side by side,
No more fear and no more hide,
In this moment we decide
To let our love be light.
Chorus
Together we shine, together we sing,
Together we bring the light of Christmas in.
No star is too far, no night too long
Together we shine in one true song.
Verse 3
All the songs we thought were lost
Found their way despite the frost,
Love was worth the winter’s cost
And now the sky agrees.
Chorus
Together we shine, together we sing,
Together we bring the light of Christmas in.
No star is too far, no night too long
Together we shine in one true song.
Outro
So lift your voice and hold it true
The light is bright because of you.
As the final chorus faded, the Christmas Star flared brighter, spilling golden light across Willowbrook. Snow sparkled like diamonds. Faces glowed warm and joyful.
Ella felt her mum’s hand slip into her dad’s. She saw them smile at each other, just a little, but enough.
Grandpa leaned down and whispered, “You did it, Ellie.”
Ella shook her head, smiling through happy tears. “No… we did.”
Above them all, the star shone brighter than it had in years.