The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-01-08
rather KiIImeyer, in the Pittsburgh

.Observer."
He took particular delight in this
lonesome walk over the high hills on
this solemn evening, for his soul was
filed with holy thoughts of the Incar-
nation and the songs and melodies of
Christmas joys and Christmas peace
were running through his mind. He
was in no hurry, but on the contrary
leisurely walked on while the night
shades were spreading out more and
more until finally they covered even
the highest peaks. One star after the
other began to make it's appearance
until the entire armament was COW
cred with the little stars vieing with
each other on this holy night to shine
with greater energy and illumine the
way for those who would be called to
adore the newborn Saviour.
A turn in the road brought the wan
derer to slight elevation, where he
sat down on the stump of tree for a
few moments reflection. A large pas
ture field lay before him; the flicker
ing of the lights ofrthe village of Arms
dorf could be seen down in the val
ley, while still farther away those Of
the huts of, Oberdorf. Behind the
deep pine forest the moon was rising
in her silent glory, rejecting herself
in the deep lake just at the foot of
the hill. 1t was a wonderful, mild
Christmas Eve.
For long time Father Mohr sat
there, staring at the beautiful seen
cry, whilst his thoughts were else
where, picturing to himself the scene
of Bethlehem. There, where the
lights of Arnsdorf were Pickering
forth, lay for him Bethlehem; the
rugged hut at the right with it's dim
light represented the stable, where
Mary and Joseph, filled with joy and
gratitude, were keeping watch over
the Infant Jesus. There on the pas
ture-field the shepherds we're keep
ing watch over their focks, their
hearts, whilst gazing upon the won
derful star, jubliant with the desire
to behold the newborn King. With
an ardent desire, as it we're, he
looked up to heaven, as if to see the
heavens open and see the angelic
choirs descending in their heavenly
glory to announce to the poor world
the one great Christmas joy and hear
them say: Fear not, for behold I
bring you tidings of great joy, that
shall be to all the people; for this
day is born to you in the city of
David, a Saviour, who is Christ the
Lord. After long reverie he final
iy aroused himself and descended
into the valley, for he had undertaken
to conduct Christmas festival, and
was now on his way to the school
house at Arnsdorf for rehearsal.
His friend, the organist, Frank
Gruber by name, met him at the door,
WELCOMED" he shouted. ''We have
been waiting for you to help us to
celebrate.
Father Mohr was very much
pleased with the welcome and said:
Il am happy to see you all here,
for now we can sing in honor of the
newborn King"
Whilst the organiSt was busy con-
corning many things pertaining to
the rehearsal, Esther MoIr went to
another room for a few moments,
jotted down on piece of paper the
words which had come to his mind
while sitting on the hill that evening,
and as his friend called him into the
room for the celebration, the priest
placed the aper in his hand and
said:
''This is my Christmas gift for you,
my friend. ! have no other, for you
know ! am not rich in this worlds
goods
Gruber took the paper and going to
the Christmas tree, with its beauti-
full lights, answered:
But of heavenly goods you have
an abundance! Listen, friends; what
we have received for our Christmas
present"
Father Mohr said:
You might try it once. for every
thing seems so easy for my good
choir, and you always find a melody
for the words. Now, | must hasten
to the church. Afterwards we might
sing for short time
The choir rehearsal broke up rather
late, for they had sung quite a few
Christmas songs. Father Mohr went
to his room, finding it difficult to tear
his thoughts away from the Christ
mas melodies. He went to his win
dow and once more looked out into
the silent holy night; and it seemed
to him as il he heard the sweet melo-
dies entWined around the Christmas
song he had presented to his choir.
Louder and louder the strains Of mu-
sic flowed towards his window until
he heard distinctly, "Stille Nacht! Hell
light Nacht!" floating through the air.
With deep emotion Father Mohr lis
tened until the last note had died
away, and then he fastened out to
thank his friends.
You see, Father Gruber said, I'VE
have found a melody for the words
you SO kindly gave us.
The following Christmas feast the
song was sung in the church at Leip-
zig at the midnight Mass. 1t soon
found its way into all parts of the
earth and is today sung by thousands
and thousands of children, whose
hearts are gladdened by the words
and the sweet melody.