There was a bomb threat in Florence on Sunday, Dec. 17, and the most wonderful thing happened. 

I arrived early to church that day and learned that a bomb threat had been emailed to the building that houses Florence Congregational Church, Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity, and Beit Ahavah synagogue. Since the police were investigating the building, we were not allowed to enter. Instead, we decided to hold our service outside.

Here is what happened. Sojourner Truth’s statue in the center of Florence provided a meaningful setting. Three wise firefighters brought chairs and a table from their own station so that we could sit and place our elements before us. I had my hymnal and a Christmas songbook to lead the caroling. A man brought his guitar and performed a beautiful song. The pastor shared blankets from her car, so folks could keep warm. The rabbi we share our building with brought challah bread for our communion.

Friends we hadn’t seen in a long time showed up, including a young mother with her two children, who added their energy and curiosity. The service started as usual at 10 a.m., and was filled with an amazing amount of joy, love, kindness and friendship. The pastor’s words were compassionate and inspiring, and we listened with rapt attention through the background noise of cars driving past.

We sang Christmas songs unaccompanied, and led by the spirit. Invited by the pastor, the rabbi blessed the bread in a language we didn’t understand, yet did understand, and we all of us together shared in receiving God’s blessing through the elements of communion. In that moment, we were all God’s children. We were all loved, and loving. We were all the same, shivering in the December cold, focused on and receiving kindness, gratitude and togetherness.

I had never met the rabbi before. Now, she is my friend. The bomb threat, one act of fear, anger or malice, started a chain reaction of loving kindness.

There is plenty of unhappiness in the world, and I thought you should know, there’s plenty of good out there, too. It reminded me of the final scene from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” The Grinch had done so much to ruin the day, yet the people gathered as usual, held hands and joyfully sang together. Instead of thinking about someone else’s malicious intentions, they thought and acted the love and joy that surpasses all human understanding.

“Christmas Day is in our grasp, so long as we have hands to clasp … Christmas Day will always be, just as long as we have we.” — Dr. Seuss

Anne Howland lives in Southampton.