Tradition established
a pattern of gathering around a freshly cut evergreen tree, decorated simply
but beautifully with real candles flickering. The very special feature,
however, was the Christmas tree stand, which turned and played Silent Night.
They all gathered
round their tree, a fire blazing and crackling in the big brick stove. The
music played and no one spoke and when they did, the occasion required hushed
tones. Such a holy night deserved and demanded respect. The Bible story of
Jesus’ birth probably was read, and perhaps a few soft carols sung. Everyone
savored the moment of peace and beauty.
They cherished
those moments only briefly and then the door flew open and a gang with guns
plowed into the room where the family all sat stunned and petrified. Many
stories circulated in the village of such intrusions, of pantries being emptied
and ravaged, horses stolen, women raped, and men being kidnapped never to be
seen again. Terror replaced the tranquility and beauty instantaneously.
Then something
amazing happened. The marauders stopped in their tracks when they saw the
family scene. The yelling and barking orders stopped as though a switch had
been turned. Without a word, they backed towards the door they had entered,
left and did not return.
The evening remained
forever fixed in the minds of the entire family. When they migrated to Canada a
few years later, the one item they all agreed had to come with them was the
Christmas tree stand that plays Silent Night. So it could not be snatched by greedy
officers on the train, they tied the stand under the train car until they
crossed the border to Latvia. The delightful tree stand still plays Silent
Night in a great grandson’s home every Christmas.
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