On Christmas Eve, 1818, in the little Alpine village of Oberndorf
in northern Austria, it was snowing hard. The people of the little
town had long before gone to bed and all was quiet and still.
But there was one light still burning. It shone from the study
window of the young priest, Joseph Mohr.

Joseph Mohr had not been able to go to sleep that night
and he had been pacing up and down his study, pausing
now and then to look out of the window at silent,
snow-covered scene before him. He was deeply worried.
Christmas, a day of music and rejoicing, was almost there
and as yet he had seen no way to overcome the
disappointment he knew was in store for his congregation.

The truth of the matter was that the church organ was in
need of repair and there was no repairman in the town of
Oberndorf. And the heavy snows had made it impossible to
get one from anywhere else.

He was thinking of this and at the same time was remembering a
conversation he had had the preceding summer with his friend,
Franz Gruber, a school teacher in the town of Arnsdorf, not far away.
Gruber was also an accomplished musician and played the organ in
the village church. One day, as was their custom, they had been
sitting in the pastor's garden singing together to the accompaniment
of Gruber's guitar. Suddenly Gruber had stopped in the middle of a hymn
and turned to his friend.

"Father," he had said, "do you realize that of all of these Christmas songs
we've been singing none expresses the real Christmas spirit?"

"You are right, my friend," the priest answered.
"Perhaps one day someone will write a song that will tell simply the
meaning of the Holy Night."

"Why should not that someone be you?" asked the schoolmaster.

Joseph Mohr had laughed. "And will you write the music if I do?"

"Of course," Gruber replied. "And I am quite serious about this.
I'm sure you can do it."

In the weeks that followed this conversation, Joseph Mohr had tried
to write that song. But somehow, try as he would, the words simply
didn't come; and now on Christmas Eve he felt a little sad as he thought
of the service the next evening with no organ and no new song to sing
to his people as he had planned.

As he stood  at his window now, lost in thought, he suddenly realized
that someone was struggling through the deep snow toward his house.
He rushed to the door and went out to help his exhausted visitor into
the warmth of his fire.  It was a woman, too breathless to speak for some
moments, but at last she was able to tell her story.

She had come over the mountain from the cabin of a friend of hers
who that night had given birth to her first child, a son.

"And Father." the woman concluded, "her husband, who is a young
woodcutter, is very anxious that you come and bless the new mother
and the babe this very night."

"Of course I'll go." the priest answered.

"But the snow is getting very deep now," the woman protested.
"I came as I promised him I would, but I'm sure he'll understand
if you wait until morning. 'Twas not snowing hard like this when
I left their house."   

"I don't mind the snow. And the walk will be good for me,"
Joseph Mohr answered. "I'm feeling too wakeful to go to bed anyway.
You stay here until you're rested before you go home."

Bundling himself up in his warmest clothes and taking a stout cane to
help him, the priest started out. It was several miles to the woodcutter's
cabin and the heavy snow made it difficult to walk, but when he arrived
and opened the door he caught his breath at the scene before him.
It was one he would never forget.

There was the new mother in her bed smiling happily at her husband,
who was kneeling in adoration before a crude wooden crib in which lay
his newborn son. It seemed to Joseph Mohr that he was looking at a scene
that had taken place in Bethlemhem of Judea many ages before.

The young woodcutter felt the sudden draft of cold air
and rose quickly to his feet.

"Welcome, Father," he cried. "I didn't expect you to come when
I realized how hard it was snowing; but I'm grateful you're here."

Proudly he led the priest over to the cradle where the child lay
and Father Mohr admired the baby and then gave him and the
mother his blessing.

Although the woodcutter wanted the priest to partake of some
refreshment before he left, Father Mohr replied that he must be
on his way. Bidding goodbye to the happy parents, he set out for
home - but this time the way didn't seem quite so hard. The snow
was no longer falling but the branches of the pine trees bent low
under their heavy white mantle. The stillness in the forest was
awe-inspiring. As he plowed through the drifts the pastor kept
thinking of the little family he had just left.
Truly this had been a holy night.

At home, he could hardly wait to take off his coat and warm his
still fingers. Then he sat down at his desk and began to write.
It was early morning before he finished and fell exhausted upon
his bed for a little rest.

But he didn't stay there long. Soon he arose, ate his breakfast
and hurried out again. This time he went in the direction of
Arnsdorf where his friend Franz Gruber lived. When Gruber
opened his door Joseph Mohr handed him the manuscripts
containing the words he had written in the early morning hours.

"My friend," the priest said, "here is a new Christmas Song.
Will you set it to music as you once promised?"

Franz Gruber's eyes shone as he read the beautiful verses.
Grasping the pastor's hand as he said,
"I shall do my best. And we'll sing it at the service tonight.
My guitar will be our accompaniment."

That evening the congregation gathered in the little church
at Oberndort to hear their priest preach his Christmas sermon.
After he had finished telling them the meaning of the Star of
Bethlehem, Franz Gruber came and stood with him.
The altar candles cast a soft glow around them as together
they sang the hymn their combined talents had produced.

As the last words, "Christ the Savior is born" were heard,
the people in the little church were filled with a reverence
they had not known before. But they couldn't have realized
that they were having the privilege of hearing for the first time
a song that in years to come would be the best loved of Christmas carols.

Silent Night! Holy Night!
by Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber

Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
'Round yon Virgin Mother and Child!
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly  peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav'nly hosts sing, "Alleluia!"
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born!

Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love's pure light!
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace.
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Author unknown
Reprinted in its entirety and verbatim,
by Randy Faulk, the Editor.

Source: Especially for Mormons,
             Volume Three, Pages 49-52.

"The Christmas Shoes" 

It was almost Christmas time, there I stood in another line
Tryin' to buy that last gift or two, not really in the Christmas mood
Standing right in front of me was a little boy waiting anxiously
Pacing 'round like little boys do
And in his hands he held a pair of shoes

His clothes were worn and old, he was dirty from head to toe
And when it came his time to pay
I couldn't believe what I heard him say

[Chorus:]
Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight

He counted pennies for what seemed like years
Then the cashier said, "Son, there's not enough here"
He searched his pockets frantically
Then he turned and he looked at me
He said Mama made Christmas good at our house
Though most years she just did without
Tell me Sir, what am I going to do,
Somehow I've got to buy her these Christmas shoes

So I laid the money down, I just had to help him out
I'll never forget the look on his face when he said
Mama's gonna look so great

Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight

[Bridge:]
I knew I'd caught a glimpse of heaven's love
As he thanked me and ran out
I knew that God had sent that little boy
To remind me just what Christmas is all about

[Chorus]

The History of the Sock

Posted 6 Decmber 2007 (Reprinted 12 December 2007)

"How on earth could the history of a sock influence culture?" one might ask. Associated with the Christian religion, Christmas has adopted just such a tradition in a big way. For years and years we look forward to nothing other than the important traditional hanging of our sock over the fireplace on Christmas Eve in hopes that Santa Claus will leave us some great gifts but seldom do we ask ourselves why a sock or who started such a crazy idea. There are several theories: the Dutch, the North American, or the poor, kind nobleman are just three of many possibilities.

The Dutch theory suggests that during the sixteenth century it was a widely practiced ritual of Holland children to leave snacks out for Sinterclass along with their clogs full of straw, which Sinterclass used to feed his donkey. For this favor, Sinterclass would leave the children treats in their clogs. It is said that when Americans adopted this tradition, Sinterclass became Santa Claus, the donkey became a reindeer, and the clogs became socks.

The rather bland idea that the North American culture adopted the practice of hanging socks over the fireplace as an effect of popular literature is much less exciting. Stated to have simply arisen from illustrations of Thomas Nast drawn for a famous Christmas story written by George Webster in the 19th century leaves the imagination somewhat less than teased.

The last but quite possibly the most exciting idea revolving around the historical impact of socks on Christmas is the tale of the poor kind nobleman. It is said that this man of three daughters, whose wife died early, had no money for a dowry needed so his daughters could marry. Distraught without any idea of what to do, his daughters finished their laundry and hung their socks over the fireplace to dry. Saint Nicholas, saddened by such despair, waited for all to retire to bed and then scurried up to the rooftop. Dropping three bags of golden nuggets down the chimney with one landing in a sock of each daughter they awoke to find each had enough to marry.

No matter which tradition you believe, the sock has definitely had a profound impact on the celebrations of Christmas, much to the delight of children everywhere.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino takes a common sense approach to planning and organizing events, celebrations and holiday parties with unique ideas for birthday party supplies and fun free educational party games. She explains proper etiquette and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free coloring sheets, printable games, and free birthday party activities.

Chanukah -- Illuminating Trivia

Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday that encompasses eight days of celebration. The holiday may be held in late November, December, or even on occasion may be held in January. The reason for the movement of when the holiday actually begins is based upon the fact that the Chanuka holiday begins upon the 25th day of Kislev. According to the Hebrew Calendar, Kislev is the third month of the ecclesiastical year and the ninth month of the civil year. All Jewish holidays are bound by the Hebrew Calendar, not the Gregorian calendar as is other non-jewish holiday celebrations. Thus, the holiday move fluidly across the months of November, December and occasionally into January as noted above.

The holiday was called Chanukah which translates loosely to "dedication." The holiday is held to mark the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem and the Miracle of the Oil witnessed after the victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid Empire. The lore notes that there was only enough consecrated olive oil for the eternal flame in the Temple to burn one day, yet miraculously the oil burned for eight days – the exact length of time it would take to press, prepare and consecrate additional oil to be burned in the lamp.

The celebration of Chanukah includes the primary ritual of lighting a single light each night for eight nights. The lights can be oil lamps or candles, or electrical lights when open flames are not permitted due to medical or other considerations. The lights are normally set at a prominent window as it is taught that the reason for lighting the Chanukah lights is for "illumination of the house without" meaning that passers-by should be able to see the lights inside the house and be reminded of the holiday’s miracle. The lights should burn for at least one half hours after it gets dark. Blessings and prayers are said before or after the candles are lit.

After the lights are lit it is customary to eat special foods including fried doughnuts or potato latkes and dairy foods are also consumed in order to honor the heroism of Yehudit. Gifts are exchanged during the celebration of Chanukah including gelt (money) which is given to children to encourage them to give part of their wealth to charity. Traditional games including Dreidl are also part of the Chanukah celebration.

Chanukah is a busy time of year with a lot of deeply religious and traditional observances orchestrated to maintain a level of awareness and honor for the historical roots of the holiday activities.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has a huge selection of free party games, coloring pages, word find, word scramble, printable baby and bridal shower activities. Hannukah holiday party planning tips, trivia, history, recipes, printable activities and free coloring pages. 

This is one of those few times,
when copying a beautiful story
in its original form is more than justified...