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| WWII photo of the Ardennes Forest |
Needn't be so. In the inn, we're having a countdown for the biggest day of this month. For
this, and the next few days, I am sharing stories I've written related to Christmas. My hope is counter-balancing the pressure we receive from Madison Avenue, the mad marketing we are barraged with, telling us what makes an ideal Christmas.
Nothing is fur-ther from the truth.
It is easy, being distracted from the meaning of Christmas. It isn't about candy canes. Nor about Santas or elves. How much we care for loved ones is not equated with how much we shell out for presents. Heavens no.
Christmas is about warm feel-ings. But they are of a different nature than the heart-warming emotions proffered by the commercials bom-barding us right now.
Christmas trees, music, eggnog, a home lit up with Christmas lights, thoughts of hearth and home certainly conjure wonderful feelings. But they do not reflect the meaning of Christmas. Nope.
This season is about the greatest gift mankind received. This season is about love received from God, to us from his son.
Between now and next Tuesday I'm sharing three stories I've written for which dip into the meaning of this season.
Below is my third favorite Christmas story. It's my telling of it. It is based on research and the account given by Fritz Vincken. He is the young twelve year old mentioned below. For more about him, read here.
Wishing you a terrific Christmas, The Innkeeper
**********
In December 1944, the Battle of the Bulge was fought in sub-freezing weather. The American and British troops were defeating a German force twice their number. This engagement lasted from December 16th until Janu-ary 25th, 1945. A cook for the Nazi Army left his wife and young son in a shack in the Ardennes Forest near the German-Belgium border. Seemingly distant from danger.
The poor weather---snow, bitter cold and impenetrable fog----grounded Allied aircraft.
It aided the German advance. That Christmas Eve, soldiers on both sides became lost. Many looked for a place to bed. In the morning they would resume their search for their unit.
It aided the German advance. That Christmas Eve, soldiers on both sides became lost. Many looked for a place to bed. In the morning they would resume their search for their unit.
The following story happened seventy-four years ago......
The snow crunched as three American soldiers trudged through the forest. Weighed down with their sixty-pound packs and nine pound M1903 Springfield rifles. The exhausted men stumbled upon a shack. Light glowed from it, smoke puffing from the chimney.
Hope, it offered. Perhaps it could be a warm refuge for their frost-bit, combat-weary souls. The soldiers broke the silence of the night. Upon the door of the tiny house, they knocked.
A mother---Elizabeth---with twelve-year-old Fritz by her side, responded. Using sign language, the soldiers asked to enter. Frau Vincken was preparing a meal. A scrawny chicken was the centerpiece for that night's dinner.
She waved them in, offering her meager Christmas meal. One soldier was shot in the thigh. It happened during a firefight that day.
She waved them in, offering her meager Christmas meal. One soldier was shot in the thigh. It happened during a firefight that day.
The Americans grunted in relief, unloading their packs. This evening provided a chance to stretch out. Spending the night in something bigger and warmer than a foxhole was welcomed. The weather had the men's teeth chattering before entering this simple abode. The heat from the hearth a welcomed treat.
The woman tended to the wounded G.I., using rags to stop the bleeding. The stabbing pain had him rocking from side-to-side as he lay upon the living room couch. The language barrier was broken when the men learned the lady spoke French. One of the trio---from Louisiana--- knew it, conversing with the woman tending this cottage.
Being there, was an unexpected early Christmas gift for the men.
Little did these men know that soon, the room would experi-ence warmth of another kind. More than two hours passed when a rap upon the weather-worn door startled the little family and Americans. The men grabbed their weapons while Elizabeth answered the door.
Four German soldiers were lost.
"Was shelter available?" they asked. "Yes, come in for my simple Christmas dinner. I have other guests," she replied.
One German soldier remarked, "Americana?" Elizabeth said, "Yes. This is Christmas Eve. There'll be no killing tonight, not here."
She ordered the Germans to leave their weapons outside, before entering. The American G.I.s did the same. The combatants faced each other. Earlier that day they tried killing each other.
Fritz watched the event, his heart banging loudly.
Fritz pulled on his winter jacket to muffle the sound. He didn't want everyone else hearing the emotional percussion.
For what seemed eternity---five minutes---the room strained under the silence. The men warily eyeing one other. Eventually, American cigarettes were offered. The Germans welcomed them, provisions being scarce.
A German soldier with medical training inspected the wounded American. Finding usable items within the bungalow, he tended to the suffering G.I.
A German soldier with medical training inspected the wounded American. Finding usable items within the bungalow, he tended to the suffering G.I.
Preparations for the Christmas dinner were completed. The food was meager. It was intended for Frau Vincken and her son Fritz.
Now it was serving seven last-minute guests. A bag of potatoes stretched the food, becoming the base for a hearty soup. Before eating, the woman rose.
Now it was serving seven last-minute guests. A bag of potatoes stretched the food, becoming the base for a hearty soup. Before eating, the woman rose.
She said war was wrong. Elizabeth recounted the Christmas Story, speaking of the hope it offered. She spoke in German to the European visitors, in French to the Americans.
The soldiers, including the tough German sergeant, were moved. The eyes of a few of these battle-hardened men glistened, holding back tears, recalling similar stories told during the Christmas season, many years ago, in their childhood homes.
Together gnawing upon the stringy chicken, the uneasiness among the men transformed into the warmth of companions sharing a simple, appreciated meal. After dinner, the Nazi soldiers sang Silent Night. A song of Austrian origin.
By tradition, it was not be sung before Christmas Eve. Afterward, two of them sang it in English, along with the guests from the United States.
Together gnawing upon the stringy chicken, the uneasiness among the men transformed into the warmth of companions sharing a simple, appreciated meal. After dinner, the Nazi soldiers sang Silent Night. A song of Austrian origin.
By tradition, it was not be sung before Christmas Eve. Afterward, two of them sang it in English, along with the guests from the United States.
Fed and satisfied with their first home-cooked meal in months, the men slept in the cramped quarters of the alpine cottage.
In the morning, a stretcher for the wounded American was crafted by the Germans. A compass and directions were given to them. The Nazi soldiers took the lady and her son back to the German lines, reuniting her with her husband.
In the morning, a stretcher for the wounded American was crafted by the Germans. A compass and directions were given to them. The Nazi soldiers took the lady and her son back to the German lines, reuniting her with her husband.
For one night, during a violence-strewn battle, God's peace dwelt within nine who spent the night in a puny cabin. Even in the worst possible conditions, the love of God resided among them.
*******
In Bethlehem, more than two thousand years ago, a young pregnant woman and her husband were not admitted to a crowded inn. No room for the Christ child. Today, this slight can be corrected.
He can be welcomed into the inn of our hearts. You can invite Him if you haven't. You'll discover the greatest Christmas gift ever----eternal life.
The Peace born in Bethlehem was showered upon nine persons in a middle of the Battle of the Bulge in war-torn Europe. Experiencing God's harmony and love is still available today. It is available to hearts torn with despair, fear or pain.
I ask God to show me, how I can demonstrate character like the mother in this story. Being an instrument of His peace is my desire, being of service to others. The world desperately needs to know hope, freedom from fear, gratitude, and tranquility.
How About You?
How are you celebrating this Christmas season?
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