|
It
was a cold winter's afternoon in the dense
German forest, Martin Luther did not notice the
sun slowly setting and the sky growing
dark. His thoughts were on the sermon he
was preparing. The forest soon came alive
with the night sounds of owls, wolves, and other
wild creatures.
Martin
Luther shivered. He pulled his cloak
tighter around his shoulders. Then he
quickened hi space. saying a little prayer for
comfort as he went.
The
forest grew darker. Martin Luther scurried
along, continuing to pray that he would not
cross paths with a wild animal. He glanced
up to see the night sky filled with tiny pricks
of light, twinkling blue and silver. What
could they be?
"Stars!"
Martin Luther said suddenly, as he realized what
he was seeing "Lights from Heaven to guide
and comfort me, just as a star led the Wise Men
to the stable that first Christmas. What a
splendid theme for a sermon."
Martin
Luther smiled up at the twinkling sky. He
was no longer afraid.
Feeling
safer, Martin Luther looked around for a small
three he could take home for Christmas. He
found a young fir tree, pulled up, and dragged
it with him through the forest.
At
long last Martin Luther was safe at home.
He quickly prepared the little fir tree, hoping
to surprise his family.
"Hmmm,"
he said, as he noticed the triangle shaped
candle holder on the table by the window.
Soon
Martin Luther called his family in, so he could
tell them about his long walk through the dark
and dangerous forest. Everyone gasped at
the sight of the little fir tree, for it was
customary to hang Christmas trees upside-down
from the ceiling beams and leave them
undecorated. Yet, Martin Luther had placed
this little tree upright in a pot, high on a
table. The candles had been removed from
the triangle shaped holder. Now, as the
very first Christmas tree lights, they flickered
from the tree's delicate branches - just as the
stars had flickered through the forest to guide
Martin Luther.
The
family gathered around as Martin Luther told
them what had happened earlier that evening.
"Just
as I was getting very frightened, I saw the
stars twinkling through the trees as if God was
saying, 'Don't be afraid, for I am with
you.' And that's when I realized the theme
for my sermon, God's light shines through the
darkest night for everyone, but sometimes we
have to look up to see it."
|
