It was early January and in the doctor's waiting room every seat was occupied. There was the usual atmosphere of tension, each person concerned with his own problems. We looked down at our feet, flipped through old magazines, gazed at the pictures on the walls. Suddenly a woman sitting across the room from me spoke up. "Why don't we sing? Are you tired of Christmas carols?"

Every head turned in her direction. Startled at such an idea, we couldn't help returning the smile on her happy face. Without waiting for an answer, her strong soprano voice began, "O Come, All Ye Faithful." My husband, always ready to sing, joined in with his tenor. A bit more timidly, I added an alto and soon others joined in. We sang one carol after another, filling the room with joyous music.