The following was published in the Herald Christmas edition Dec. 23, 1987.
ED. NOTE: Georgiana Davies, of Court House, treasurer of American Legion Auxiliary Post 198, told this Christmas candle story at its annual Christmas party Dec. 1 at the Whitebrier Inn, Avalon.
Many years ago in a tiny cottage at the edge of a village in Austria lived an old cobbler and his wife.
This humble shoemaker had few worldly possessions, but what he had he shared with all others, and every night he placed a lighted candle in his window in case anyone needed help or shelter. Over the years, through constant war, famine and near destruction of the whole village, the candle never failed.
There were hardships and losses, loved sons of the village were killed, crops failed, animals starved, yet the little cobbler and his wife suffered the least. A magic charm seemed to guide them.
The people were discouraged and gathered to discuss the cobbler’s good fortune.
“There is something special about him.” “What does he do that we do not do?” “Perhaps it is the little candle,” said one. “Let us each put a candle in our window and see if it is the mysterious charm.”
Now it happened this was on a Christmas Eve. Every house lit a candle in the window. They burned all night. It snowed all night. And with the first rays of the morning sun, lo and behold, a messenger rode into the village to bring the great news, “Peace had finally come.”
Church bells rang, people knelt to pray, the peasants were awed. “It was the candles,” they cried, “They guided the Christ child to our doorsteps and brought the answer to our prayers. We must never again fail to light our candles on His Birthday.”
And to this day, this beautiful custom has spread all over the world. Millions of candles send forth the message of love, hope, and cheer that will never grow old.
The real story of Christmas is God, Jesus, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, angels, wise men, stars, and candles, but above all love.
Some things are fantasies, but thank God he also gave us these.
And each of us must make our own choices.
Davies and husband, Clarence, are memorialized at the Middle Township Recreation Complex on Court House-Goshen Road named for them.
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