When I was newly married, my mother-in-law gave me several “Ideals” magazines throughout the years. I enjoy reading poetry, and these books are filled with all kinds of stories, verse, and song. I have a few Christmas issues, which I get out each December. As I was paging through one today, this story, written by Derric Johnson, caught my attention.
The Organ Was Broken
If the church organ had not broken down, and if the organist had not been able to strum a few chords on the guitar, then the loveliest Christmas carol of them all would never have been written.
Joseph was a twenty-six year old German priest when his organist told him that the pipe organ could not be used that night for the traditional Christmas Eve service. Franz was well trained in his instrument, but he just didn’t have the time or the parts to make the necessary repairs in one afternoon.
So to relieve his disappointment, Joseph went out visiting people in his parish. Shortly after arriving in one home, a new baby was born, and in his mind, the pastor compared that event with the birth of the Christ child centuries earlier. Walking home through the snow, Father Joseph envisioned a poem about that first Christmas. He hurriedly jotted down four stanzas and gave it to Franz.
While the organist read the words, the priest picked up a guitar and handed it to him, saying, “ If we can’t have the old organ, at least we can have a new song. Try your hand at this.”
“But I know only three chords,” Franz protested.
“ Well then, write a song with those chords,” Joseph insisted.
To quiet his friend, Franz strummed a few simple chords on the guitar. Soon he was humming an original melody. And at midnight, the new carol was sung for the first time.
Because the organ didn’t work, two men did. Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber. They combined the poety and music of their hearts and gave the world STILLE NACHT, or as we know it today, SILENT NIGHT.
Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon virgin Mother and Child,
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in Heavenly Peace,
Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
I enjoy the little bits of humor interspersed throughout these old treasured magazines too!
The Three Stages of Man
1. He believes in Santa Claus.
2. He doesn’t believe in Santa Claus.
3. He IS Santa Claus.
The three saddest words on Christmas morning are: “Batteries Not Included.” Unless you are a parent, in which case they are: “Some assembly required.”
Happiness to you in this most blessed of seasons! I hope you were able to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas.
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