And when Christmas Eve finally came,
We’d do our chores real early.

We’d have a supper of buns and peppernuts,
And put on our Christmas apparel.
With sleighhells ringing a merry tune,
We‘d arrive at church in spirits light,
Hearts beating fast with anticipation
To see the Christmas tree.

We children did our very best,

Each of the part he had

0f poem. or song, or Scripture verse,
Or even dialogue.

Our hearts were filled with joy

As the Christmas message was told,
And then excitedly we’d wait

For the moment when

The Christmas candles would be lit;
Eyes sparkling we‘d watch the big men
As they held their long sticks

With a lit candle on the end,

Lighting each candle in its turn

With a real flame.

No artificial lights in those days!
Then the gas lamps were carried out,
And in the dim light of candles,

The strains of “Stille Nacht” rang out.
After the last Amen resounded,

The solemn program was followed by
A rustling of paper:

The Christmas bags were handed out;
Oh, what joy our little hearts
Experienced that festive night.

Off and on there was also a wedding,
Or at times a funeral,

Or the celebration of baptism;

These were times of great importance

harkhm -

352

And everyone was invited to attend.
And so year by year these festivition,
Marked the highlights of church life.
And always there was a spirit

0f intimate fellowship.

The activities of the Herold Church
Became the life of the community
Though the people were scattered far and wide
To Sunday morning worship service, ‘
To Sunday School of Jugendverein
To Kinderfest of Christmas Eve,
They came to join the celebration.
And were with it heart and soul.

The Church and all its people
Stood as a light set on a hill,
Shedding its rays all around
To others in the community.

in 1934 the death of the Elder Michael Klaasser
Drastieally changed the course of events

0f the little Herold Group. '
Visiting ministers served for several years,

But eventually the members chose

To join the Bergthaler Church of Morden

Thus the services of the Herold Church ended
Its mission was fulfilled; -
Yet the people dropped into the stream of time
Continued to send its unending waves

In all directions.

And the depth of the spiritual influence

Spread by the church on the hill

Will never be measured by human minds.

And those never-ending waves of light and life
Will one day reach

The shores of Eternity.

 

 

 

 

Cheval School Students at HeroldChurch, German Bible Camp.