A Christmas Carol Story
General
Yes, Dave, Merry Christmas to you and your entire family. I had never seen this film before this morning but I have, for manyyears, known the story of Silent Night because my youth choir director told us that story probably about the same time you were watching this in the 50s. I absolutely love to sing that song because the melody and the words are so perfectly blended and the story it tells is so meaningful. I must confess, however, that for the past several years the emotions of the song have started to make my voice quiver when I sing Silent Night. Not sure why the emotions got so strong. Now, after reading about your personal experience with learning about the song I am sure my emotions will be even deeper. I have tears in my eyes now. I hope when we sing that at the evening service tonight I can sing it without a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. I'll be thinking of you and your friend when we sing it and of the simple life of you two young men who established a special bond born of a world that suffered the war to end all wars. The story of Silent Night is the story of a very special night, written by two very special guys, and having be sung now for almost 200 years by special people who believe in the message delivered by that song. I have often heard the story that it was a mouse who had damaged the organ in that Oberndorf church. That little mouse, also one of God's creations, may have been the reason such a beautiful musical celebration of the birth of Christ was put into the world wide culture. And from Austria, no less, where the hills are alive with the sound of music year 'round. God bless you and your family Dave! Merry Christmas and keep the memories coming.
