Photo by Kimberly Carter

Alicia Scudder (to right of Advent candle table) realizes one of the costumed shepherds is her husband, Bob.

On that Sunday, Alicia Scudder led the children's feature of the morning worship. Five men dressed as shepherds were part of the experience. As Alicia gave candy canes to the children, another shepherd entered the sanctuary and made his way to the front.

When he arrived, Alicia suddenly realized it was her soldier husband, Bob, whom she had not seen since he left for Germany on Jan. 8, 2007.

The Scudders' Sunday school class, Bible Warriors, instigated the ruse. Although Alicia is accustomed to separations as an Army wife, this one has been more difficult than the others. Class members had taken note of her frequent references to missing Bob. When the teacher, Ronnie Nicholas, suggested that the class could bring him home for Christmas, members immediately began making the arrangements.

To insure that Alicia and their children Ben, 21; Kent, 19; and Ellen, 13 would be completely surprised, the class decided to keep the plan a secret from the church as well. When the congregation realized the tardy shepherd was actually Bob and that his presence was a surprise to his wife, they spontaneously gave the family a standing ovation.

“This is such a great family,” noted Kimberly Carter, a church member who captured the moment with a photo from the balcony. “Bob is involved in everything when he is home, and Alicia is one of those people in the church who knows everything that's going on.” Class members agree that keeping their plans from Alicia was a major accomplishment.

Bob and Alicia Scudder, with children Ben (top, right), Kent and Ellen.

Scudder actually arrived at the Richmond airport on Saturday night, Dec. 12, where a couple from the class met him. Unfortunately, his luggage was not on his flight, making it necessary to wait for its arrival later that night. Once they arrived in Petersburg, Scudder spent the night with the couple and rode with them to church the next morning. He arrived at the church during Sunday school, wearing a large coat with an upturned collar and a hat pulled over his eyes. He waited to make his surprise entry in the office of associate pastor Fred Adkins. When that time came, Scudder donned the garb of a Judean shepherd and revealed his presence to both his immediate and church families.

“I am still awed that God used these people in such a way,” Alicia stated after Bob returned to Germany on Jan. 3. “We got to feel loved. To have the church's arms wrapped around you is something special.” Ellen shared the family's consensus when she added, “It was the best Christmas ever!”

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