Advent is a time of preparation, of remembering and of hope. It is a time of traditions, as is Christmas. Of story telling and connecting. Traditions and stories are really important ways that people remain connected to a community, because they are a means of sharing the past, living together in the present and considering the future. They are a bit like the "glue" that holds everyone together! You are no doubt familiar with the Nativity Story, of the journey Mary and Joseph made to Bethlehem and the birth of the infant Jesus in the stable. The story of Jesus' life is the story which holds Christianity together and connects Christians all over the world.
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| The Nativity Story on the "Topmarks" blog. |
(Both are suitable for children but it's always recommended to be with your child whilst they are online.
In any case, it's always lovely to share stories!)
Below is another Christmas Story to share, and at the end a game to make your own!
"The Quietest Time of the Year" by Karl Heinrich Waggerl (Austrian poet, 1897 – 1973)
This traditional German story has been kindly translated by Isolde Cutting, a member of the Ladies' Choir and former Choir Assistant.
When I was a boy, Advent began for me with my mother getting me out of bed one morning, far earlier than usual. The verger was always ringing the quarter bell already, when I finally, half dreaming, stumbled to the church. Nowhere a light in the bitterly cold darkness, and often I had to fight my way through the snow with my hands and feet, as, of course, not a soul had been out before me.
In the vestry the verger was kneeling in front of the oven and was blowing into the embers, so that at least the Holy Water would thaw in its kettle. But of course there was no time for me to warm my fingers, the priest was already waiting for me to put my cassock and surplice on, so that I could process in front of him with the bell.
In the church it was bitterly cold too. The flames of the altar candles stood motionless as if frozen, and only when the door opened and wind and snow burst in, the lights flickered, startled. The church folk quickly pressed the door shut again, they shuffled laboriously into the pews. Then they stuck their Advent candle on the shelf in front and folded their hands around the warming light.
In the meantime I lugged the mass book back and forth and rang the bell at the appropriate time. And when I was required to kneel for a bit longer, I may have fallen asleep again. Then, the priest would audibly clear his throat, to wake me up.
He alone was undeterred by any discomfort. “Rorate coeli” he prayed loudly and fervently. "Thaw, oh heaven, the just."
And then, suddenly, everything was deeply moving again, and beautiful and festive, the shimmering twilight in the nave, the white steam of breath from the mouths of the people, when they answered the priest, and he himself steadfast in the dignity of the good shepherd.
Afterwards, the three of us would stand behind the oven in the vestry. The verger rattled the cast iron pan and lifted the lid and fed us all with roasted chestnuts. I hopped from one foot to another, and even the priest rolled the hot chestnuts around in his mouth for a while.
Maybe it was no sin, if I meanwhile quickly calculated, how long it would take, until, at Christmas, the priest would press my wages into my hand, one whole guilder.
Perhaps you would like to make your own Christmas story? For this activity you need a die, or 3 dice if you want to do all three rolls in one go! Click on the picture below to find the download link and instructions. We would love to read your stories once they are finished, send them to socialmedia@stmaryletower.org.uk .
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