AN UNFORGETTABLE CHRISTMAS

Dark and ominous clouds were gathering in the sky. Biting cold wind from the north moved the trees that stood around the house. But none of this could dampen the joy of the family, because tomorrow was Christmas Eve. The meteorologists had warned of rain and cold, but that should not prevent anyone to come home and spend Christmas with the rest of the family.

All the preparations were over, food, gifts and Christmas decorations were finished and the faces of the children shone with excitement and joy. There was a real Christmas atmosphere in the home. All night it had drizzled and the morning after, when we looked out through the windows, we saw a wonderful sight. Frost, as fine as down, covered everything outside. This was as fantastic as a very beautiful painting. A high-pitched chattering could be heard from the trees as the wind grabbed them. All traffic was stopped and the phone connection was cut.

The smell of Christmas dinner filled the air. In a few hours friends and family would come. When the time was approaching we looked incessantly out through the windows to see if they had come. But no one came, and now we were told that maybe they would not come. The rain had made ​​the roads impassable and the ice was more than an inch thick, while it continued to rain.

Could there possibly be any Christmas atmosphere without good company and happy laughter with family and friends? The empty chair spoke for itself. The table was covered with all good but there were no guests. Lots of presents under the Christmas tree, but noone to receive them. And now the heavy and gloomy darkness entered their home. What should have been the biggest and happiest day of celebration was all of a sudden the disappointment the year.

As the time had come to sit at the table, I bowed my head and began to thank God, but no one could stand to eat. My wife broke the silence at last. "A real and true Christmas means giving to others as well" she said . "There must be some lonely people here in the neighborhood. Maybe we could share our food with them? "

We all rose from the table and did not eat anything. Plenty of food was put into the baskets and then they were given a cover of clothing to retain the heat. So I began my difficult journey across the icy roadway while I prayed. I walked past many homes before I felt I had to stop at a small white house with closed curtains. There I went. A man came out, as I knocked. 4 emaciated and seemingly hungry children came out and surrounded him when I came in and started emptying the curves and put all the good food on the table.

" How is it that you know that my wife came home from the hospital yesterday and is now lying in bed ? " Asked the man with tears in his eyes and quivering lips. "We have nothing edible in the house, which can be put on a Christmas table."

Before I had time to swallow the growing lump that I had in my throat, Little Morten cried: "But Dad, God knows. He has heard my prayer. "

When I had arrived safely back to our house my wife sat food in the oven to warm up for the second time and we set at the table to eat Christmas dinner. Outside the rain was about to become snow, and the fields were soon covered with a beautiful white blanket.

We bowed our heads and prayed:" Heavenly Father, we thank you for a Merry Christmas."

Kirkeklokken
Effie Campbell translated