[Faith-talk] Daily Thought for Thursday, December 26, 2013

[Doris and Chris]

I do not even know if this list takes attachments. However, you could 
search for a youthube link for us to play/download.

hth

Doris in Lutherland

At 05:10 PM 2013/12/26 -0500, you wrote:
>Well folks, 'tis the day after Christmas, but I hope and pray that 
>the real reason for the season remains with us for a little 
>while.  That's why the rest of the month and year will still contain 
>articles and stories around this most wonderful of Christian seasons.
>
>I may have given this one to most of you last year, but I can't 
>remember.  Suffice it to say that if it were possible I'd like to 
>play a music box selection while I verbally read this piece, but 
>alas I don't know how to attach an audio file, and perhaps many of 
>you wouldn't know how to open it even if I could.  Anyway the title 
>of this story by Brenda West is entitled "Mom's Christmas Music 
>Box," rendered as follows:
>
>I carefully lifted the small box from the top of the shelf of the 
>bedroom closet.  Standing tiptoe on a dining room chair, I stretched 
>farther than gravity allowed and lurched forward.  As I struggled to 
>regain my balance, I envisioned a long-dreaded disaster.  "Oh, no," 
>I muttered, "after all these years, all I need to do now is drop 
>this treasure.  After all, it's an irreplaceable keepsake."
>
>I managed to retain my composure and climb down, planting my feet 
>firmly on the floor.  Shakily, I clutched the box in both hands and 
>sank into the living room recliner.  After resting momentarily, I 
>removed the lid from the cardboard container and pushed aside a 
>mound of tissue paper.  Nestled safely inside was a tiny, molded 
>plastic church, complete with a key-wound music box.  Its original 
>white color had turned to ivory over time, but the miniature had 
>remained in almost perfect condition.
>
>The small house of worship featured authentic detailing, from the 
>steepl topped with a "gold" cross to the double entrance doors and 
>"stained glass" windows.  Four surrounding steps formed the base.  I 
>plugged in the detachable cord holding a clear glass 
>bulb.  Instantly, brilliant illumination flooded the interior and 
>shone through the delicate windows, evoking serenity and reverence 
>while creating varicolored hues.
>
>I wound the key and placed the memento on the mantel.  The tinkling 
>sounds of "Silent Night" floated through the quiet house.  Missy and 
>Tuffy, my nonchalant cats, were quickly roused.  Forgetting the 
>intrusion on their naps, they padded toward me and stared intently 
>at the new attraction.  Eyeing the music box curiously, the two 
>curled up beside my chair and purred contentedly.
>
>When the last note faded, I twisted the key once more.  Slowly, the 
>present faded to mid December 1952.  Mom was supervising my two 
>younger brothers and me as we trimmed our fresh-cut evergreen.  The 
>piquant scent of pine filled the rooms as it mingled with other 
>pleasing aromas of homemade cakes, cookies, and candy.  We three 
>were bursting with pre-Christmas excitement, hoping Santa Claus 
>would be generous on his visit to our house.
>
>As we finished tossing tinsel on the tree, Mom's eyes gleamed and a 
>secretive smile spread across her face.  We watched in anticipation 
>as she opened a newly delivered package from a mail order house.  As 
>she took her time to cut the strings and remove the brown paper 
>wrapping, we barely contained our mounting curiosity.  With the 
>aplomb of a skillful magician anxious to mesmerize his audience, Mom 
>revealed her surprise, a church music box.  Tenderly, she held up 
>the small object, allowing us to inspect it from every angle.  We 
>were permitted to look but not touch.
>
>My brothers and I squirmed in anticipation as Mom, clearly amused by 
>our reaction, ceremoniously turned the key.  Within our hushed 
>circle, the first notes of "Silent Night" burst forth.  We listened 
>attentively until the last note quivered abruptly to an end.  Then, 
>we urged Mom to play it again, and again.
>
>The evening passed quickly as we became enchanted by the sound and 
>sight of Mom's music box.  While we listened repeatedly to the 
>familiar refrain, we could almost picture the manger scene being 
>reenacted in the sanctuary before a hushed congregation.
>
>How powerful is the childish imagination! Often, it is the cushion 
>that softens the harsh blows of life.  If only the elusive trait 
>survived the transition to adulthood, perhaps we could retain our 
>childlike wonder of the miracle of Christmas.
>
>The church music box became a tradition at our home, filling a role 
>as vital as the tree, lights, and other decorations, but as we 
>rushed headlong into growing up, the music box, like the other 
>decorations, grew less prominent until it was put away and nearly forgotten.
>
>Somehow, the church escaped damage during its faithful service, 
>including several moves to other houses.  Recently, Mom relinquished 
>the cherished possession to me because I had an expressed a 
>sentimental attraction to it.
>
>Many Christmases have come and gone, yet the miniature church 
>continues faithfully to sing forth the beloved carol.  Its presence 
>serves as a reminder of the Living Gift bestowed upon our troubled 
>Earth many centuries ago on a silent, starlit night.
>
>That Gracious Gift offers peace and joy to all who will accept.
>
>And there you have Brenda's article which I hope was a blessing to 
>you.  Many years ago in 1980, I was in Brawner's Christmas Store in 
>Frankenmuth Michigan about 100 miles north of Detroit, and saw a 
>very similar-looking music box, although it didn't play "Silent 
>Night." It played an old German Christmas carol whose first verse is 
>as follows:
>
>O come, little children;
>Oh come, let us all,
>Come to the stable
>In Bethlehem's stall.
>
>This article brought back memories of that visit.  I'm not sure, but 
>I think that Mr. Brawner and family have sadly closed down the 
>store, although I'm not sure.  For those who don't know, 
>Frankenmuth, located on the banks of the Cass River, was up until 
>1945 100% German Lutheran.  The village got its name from the 
>Franconia area of Bavaria, and the bells of St. Lawrence Lutheran 
>Church were hand-made in Germany.  At one point before modern 
>buildings were erected, it was said that they could be heard for 
>seven miles, though I have no way of confirming that.  I had a 
>delightful time visiting the town, including recording the bus tour 
>of the place and the recording, in English and German, the 
>glockenspiel rendition of "The Pied Piper of Hamlin," although in 
>truth that wasn't Bavarian, but took place in Westphalia, as at 
>least one person reading this will testify.
>
>Oh well, enough of my reminiscing.  Until tomorrow when, Lord 
>willing another daily thought message will be presented, may the God 
>of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob just keep us safe, individually and 
>collectively, in these last days in which we live.  Your Christian 
>friend and brother, Paul
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