Show Charming n Yule Legend Tells Story Of Villages Village's First Christmas Candle A At Christmas millions of little candles suddenly spring into being all allover over It seems seems-on ChrIstmas trees on so many of our Christmas cards In n t the e. e shop windows and in ou our homes In these days of flu fluorescent and and neon lighting the candles often take on the form of a watt 25 bulb bulb- never bulb e th ess they definitely contribute just the right touch of reverence reveren and c gal gaiety ty to the holiday season True the custom of lighting candles in remembrance of the Star of f Bethlehem claims claim deep deep reli religious ious s significance But Christmas has a also o come to be a children childrens children's s festival and wherever there are children there Is legend weaving And there is a charming legend that long Ion long ago in Austria there lived an old shoemaker in a little cottage on 01 the edge of a village Al- Al Although Although though thIS humble man had very ery lit lit- littie tie whether for himself or to share with others hIs goodness of heart was was such that each evening he placed in his window a lighted candle as a sign signa a of welcome to weary travelers who t r might be asking shelter War came to the village and Jam Jam- Jamine ine yet the little light never wavered Each night it took its place to send v forth its beam as a message of che cheer r lt S to forlorn wayfarers ri l rr 5 Y jd Wh r It was wintertime and the suffer suffer- i 7 i c. c ing was acute Great hardshIps came r. r t n t J f. f ling i Sons died in battle Animals starved I I J pt f a 1 J f for or wan want t 0 of f gram grain Y Yet e t always a I ways some some- 5 itt l 1 l t how the old shoemaker suffered less th than an 0 others th ers It was most almost 1 as though ti a. a l there a splendId charm upon rr i t ere were B 1 At last the peasants gathered i hIm the r 1 together an and said sald Surely Surel there is f. f w something dIfferent about hIm that he heis heis is spared What does he do that we do not do Perhaps it is his little candle Let us too place lights in our windows I And the day the peasants took counsel was the day before Christmas in all the windows was and the first night the candles were set to burn Christmas Eve miracle had happened A though a When morning came it was as like a gentle blessing but there soft mantle of snow covered the village was something more more-a new air of peace and hope And before the sun the spire ire of the village church there had cast Its first bright gleam on s came a messenger riding to bring the great glad news of peace The and there was a feel feel- feeling knelt In church bells chimed and the people prayer ing In of Christmas glory such as there had not been in many years The peasants were awed It was the candles they whispered We must never They have guided the Christ Child to our doorsteps again fall fail to li light ht candles on His Birthday this beautiful custom has become From such a long ago beginning light S 'S So dear in fact that year after afier year we very veri dear to our h hearts arts the holiday greeting Eve and year after year Christmas Dur candles on the proud with friends and loved ones carry cards we exchange our will still burn burns this the candles candle l And year motif of the Christmas s h that world cheer for the peaceful and bright Dight their light sending forth hope loon must come surrounding the widespread use of There are scores of other legends which at Christmas time and all of them have a simple told beauty in every appeals to children and adults alike The stories are told in every lan lan- 1 |