I WAS sitting in my study. Darkness was gathering, and it was Christmas
Eve. Then it was as though a kind and soothing voice whispered into my
ear: Dost thou remember Christmas Eve at home?
Do I?--Indeed, I remember it as it were but yesterday. I remember so
plainly how we, all finely dressed, gathered at the long table. There
father was sitting at one end reading aloud from the old hymn book
while we all listened, our hands folded.
At the other end of the table grandmother was sitting, and I next to
her, for I was "Grandma's boy." The old brass spectacles were sitting
astride the very tip of her nose so that I could not quite grasp
whether she peered through them or merely glanced above them.
When father had finished reading, grandmother spoke up--she wanted us
to sing now this Christmas carol, now that; she had sung on Christmas
Eve for so many, many years that she could lead us in singing them. Her
voice--well, it was old, for she was past eighty, but if you say it
wasn't fine, then you surely are no good as a judge of grandmother's
voice.
* * * * *
Mother--do I remember her? Indeed, I never forget her. Gentle and quiet
she sat at the table, slightly pale, her cheeks somewhat haggard. Her
mother-eye wandered from one to the other, resting on each of us with
a wealth of love. It was a strange look that came from those eyes
surrounded by dark edges--it was so filled with love and wistfulness.
Then came that Christmas when her chair stood vacant. O, yes, I
remember her so plainly. It was quite near Christmas when she closed
her eyes, and her last words to us were: "_Follow Jesus!_"
Yes, I remember it all, but--O, wait just a little--it was only
that--if tonight you visit those dear ones at home, tell them then that
I remember it all. And tell them that we also--despite the struggle
for money and the increasing lack of veneration for ancient Christian
festivals--tell them that we also celebrate Christmas both in our home
and in the church.
* * * * *
Thus I sent my Christmas greetings carried on the wings of the angel.