HOW TWO JEWS FOUND THE SAVIOR CHRISTMAS EVE

It was the 24th december 1887 the a 80-year-old jew, Joseph M. went out as he used to early in the morning from the small town in the Harz-mountains to the villages, located nearby to see if there hould be something to buy and sell. But contrary to usual practice, this time he had taken a little boy with him named Samuel, his ten-year-old great-grandson, the only relative he had left. He had noticed that the boy in recent weeks had been told for too much about the Christmas festival by his Christian playmates. And since it was impossible to keep him away from friends, he took him along with him, for old Joseph M. wanted at all costs to prevent the longing for Christmas to get stuck in the boy's heart.

It was a glorious winter morning, so the old man had no fear that the road would be too burdensome for the boy. But during the day there fell much snow, and towards evening in addition, a strong storm set in, so that the roads were almost unrecognizable and covered by snow drivers. Old Joseph for this reason went previously on the way home, but he soon realized that it was very difficult to walk. He himself could hardly force his way through and the boy complained constantly, how tired he was. He let him go in his own footsteps and pulled him forward as best he could, but in the long run this couldn't go on.

The boy said he had to rest, he could not bear to go further. The great-grandfather who probably knew that in this case could easily end up tragically, that they would never rise again, even made a last attempt, but in vain. The boy sank to the ground exhausted. What should he do now? In the forest, they could now stay - it would be a certain death for both of them. How loud they shouted for help, there never came no answer. The wind howled still stronger, and the time drew near, now that Christmas presents were handed out and everyone, both young and old prepared for the big party. Also forestry workers had gone home earlier than usual.

As decided the old man decided to empty his bag and put everything he had bought in the woods and instead carry the shivering boy in the sack, in the hope that he would soon be able to get out of the forest and the people. This hope was also true, but when he came out of the forest, he saw that he was lost in the woods. It was not his own city, lying in front of him.

He had no strength left, and could not go back through the woods, but where would he go with the stiff frozen boy? Then the bell caught his ears, and although it is still the hated Christmas bells, so they tell him anyway, he's around people. He then quickly goes after the sound and come to a small village. Now he knows where he is, but he does not want to turn to the farmers. They have always treated him with contempt. Property priest has however always been kind to him, therefore he dares to knock on with him.

It is opened for him, and his anxious prayer is immediately fulfilled. The pastor's wife even brings him something hot, he gets to drink, and helps him to get the child into the room where she tries to bring the seemingly lifeless boy to life again, and she succeeds. Not much time then beats Samuel her eyes and soon he has won over his weakness. Now comes the priest and urges the old to stay overnight, and the two young daughters of the house come quickly into conversation with the boy.

The centerpiece of their speech is of course Christmas presents, which they expect to have soon. While the girls talk about their high expectations, their father encourages the old Joseph M. to attend the Christmas party now that he has been brought into their house. But the old man refuses emphatically. He will stick by his fathers faith. He fears for Israel's God's wrath. Also the child's entreaties refuses at first, but when he sees the boy's tears and understand how much he wants to see the Christmas tree, he finally gives in after a heavy heart, but exhorts him seriously to take care not to be led into apostasy, and asks himself even to his father's God to keep an eye on the boy, so he will not see anything that might be harmful to him and that his ears must be blocked for all corrupt speech.

The boy was thrilled to be with the girls where the Christmas table is. But the old man stayd in the bedroom, and yet not quite alone. The priest had before he left him with a few words urged him to at least try to see, if not, the Christians celebrate Christmas for the fulfillment of what Israel from the days of Abraham have been waiting for. He had reminded him of the most important prophecies of the prophets, Jacob's star and the prince of Judah and the Prince of Peace, which would come from bethlehem Ephratah, and these words of God do not let the old get any rest - he cannot contradict them.

However, the celebration starts in the house. Around the beautiful Christmas tree the first Christmas carols sounded, and then the master of the house read the wonderful old Christmas gospel, and his voice was particularly moved when he read: " Fear not! Behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today there is born to you a Saviour in the city of David, he is Christ the Lord."

Samuel was shy standing by the burning wood with longing. There was a fine pleasure redness of the pale face, which made him twice as beautiful. In particular, he was seized by the Christmas gospel glorious words, since he was just used to hearing the words of the law of his great-grandfather. When the priest finished reading, the boy suddenly stretched his hands against the tree and shouted complaining: "Why is the Messiah not also born for me?" But the priest assured him that all this also included him, e.g. The angels statement: " Today there is born to you a Saviour!"

Now Samuel was happy and able to appreciate the gifts that the daughters of the house gave him. But his eyes turned constantly back against the tree, and he repeated again and again: " Today there is born to you a Saviour". But after a while he remembered that his grandfather was alone and he asked for permission to go out to him. Now he was not tired of telling him all that he had seen and heard, but when he finally sayd: "Dear grandfather, you must not be mad at me, but I must tell you that the angels' words about the great joy, which shall be to all people, that includes us. Also, for us there is today a Savior born. I believe in Jesus Christ. He is our Messiah!" There came a deep sigh from the old man's chest, and he bumped the child from him and shouts horrified: "My father's God, accident, as I announced on. The boy has been bewitched and I too. Jehovah loose you shackles and let us keep faith of our fathers!" So he continued for several hours. After the boy had long before fallen asleep the old man still complained. He cried and moaned, and now and then he shouted: "Woe to me, I must die, and I just cannot!"

The servants who was awake at midnight by his complaint, went to the priest, who still sat up and pondered his Christmas sermon, and told him what they had heard. The priest rushed straight to the guest room and found old Josef sitting clothed on a chair. He groans and his grandson kneels in front of him, kissing his hands and weeping bitterly. As soon as the old man recognizes his host, he shouts to him, "Herr Pastor, help me. Death is approaching. I shall die, and I cannot, "the priest immediately understood that the old was telling the truth. The Latter-day physical exertion and especially the last hours of internal movement had been very hard on him. The priest tried not to get him away from his death mind (such as it so often is opposite to dying persons), but confirmed that he was likely to have only some few hours left to live. At the same time he stated his regrets that he had no comfort to give Jews facing death, when the Jews do not want to know anything of Jesus Christ the Saviour. He who held death in his power. But the dying man replied, as he in fear grip this Jesus servant's hand: "Well, pastor, just be here and talk to me what you want. Proove for me that it is the truth, everything you have said before me, then I will believe that your Christ is the Messiah who was promised by our ancestors. I cannot forget the word: "Today there is born to you a Savior!"
Now, the priest knew what he had to do. He put the Old Testament Scriptures befor the dying jew, told him about the Virgin 's son Emmanuel, whose name is Wonder, Counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. He drew for him the image of the Prophet Jesus, whom from his father had been given a disciple tongue that He should be able to comfort the right in the right time, and preach the gospel to the poor, to dress the shattered hearts, to proclaim freedom for the captives and the release of the tied down, to comfort all mourners. Above all, he showed him the Lamb of God, of whom Isaiah had previously said: ”Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53,4-5

He showed him how all these prophecies of the prophets of Israel had their yes and amen in Him who was born in Bethlehem and died on Calvary. He invited the old man to seize the Lord in faith, just as Simeon and in faith in Jesus depart in peace. During this conversation the cover fell off from the old man's eyes, and hot tears ran down over his face and he said: "Yes, I believe that Jesus is the Messiah! I would like to say like Simeon: "Lord, now let your servant depart from here in peace according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation!"
 

He had just one more concern. Concerns about the boy, and how things would turn out for him, and just one prayer, the prayer to be allowed to see the lit Christmas tree. The priest took away the worry from him and fulfilled his prayer. He promised to take care of the abandoned boy, the Lord apparently had given him as a Christmas gift, as for his own child, take him to his house and bring him to Christ. He let the Christmas tree light once again in the middle of the night and he along with the servants carried the dying jew into the room where the Christmas tree stood and read again the Christmas gospel.

Several minutes passed by in sacred silence. As the old man suddenly lifted his hands stretched them up to heaven and cried with a broken voice. "Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen your salvation!" Then he bowed his head and fell asleep next to the burning Christmas tree to wake up to an even more lustrous clarity.

Many years have passed since then. Again, the Christmas tree was lit at the vicarage in B., and around the tree are also Samuel M. He has traveled from the university through snowy forests to his dear family at the rectory, where he now has his second home. As the Christmas song was sung, he went to his foster parents and once again thanked them for everything they'd done for him since that Christmas Eve and asked them for their blessing to the work that awaited him. It had been his great-grandfather's dearest wish that he should become a preacher and teacher in Israel. He also wanted to be, but not in the way that his grandfather had first thought. He would preach to his people the message of Him whom he found 10 years ago in front of the Christmas tree in this house. Him that his great-grandfather also had came to believe in before he passed away in peace.

The Caring parents let him travel with joy and accompanied him with their heartfelt prayers as well. This is how Samuel M. Became a Jew missionair.