It was Christmas Eve in the
late forties. Winter travel any
other way than with a horse and sleigh was never easy in the isolated, farm
community continually covered with huge drifts of snow. In spite of it and the
extremely cold weather, joyful Christmas carols resounded everywhere.
The Christmas Spirit never
waned as dozens of Christmas carolers bundled up against the cold, went
from farm to farm in sleighs, singing Christmas carols. The music was always a
delight to everyone. It was a wonderful to hear the sound of the horses with
their sleigh bells ringing, and to see the carolers coming across the fields in
the moonlight.
Bertha, an elderly widow, was
ready for them having prepared hot apple cider, fresh popcorn, Christmas cake
and mincemeat pie, as well as an assortment of homemade toffee, peppermint
candies and gingerbread cookies.
She lit several candles and
placed them in the window as she waited for them. Her heart
skipped a beat when she spotted the carolers in the distance. It awakened
wonderful memories of her early life with her husband.
"Silent Night",
“Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and "Joy to the World", the Christmas
carolers sang to her in beautiful harmony, as she opened her front door and
welcomed them warmly into her home. Their repertoire of Christmas carols was
amazing and soon, she too, joined in the singing of "Away in the
Manger", and "O Holy Night", her favorite Christmas carols.
Just as the carolers began to
sing "O Christmas Tree", she heard someone pounding on the front
door. "More carolers!"
she thought excitedly, and rushed to the door to welcome them. But no, it was
just one, young man who appeared cold, wet and pale. She quickly hushed the
carolers.
"Young man, what’s wrong?"
"Help!" he replied.
"Please, I need your help!" he said to everyone in the room.
"Our sleigh just went through the ice on the river."
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