WAITING AND PRAYING

For Peace and Understanding

Read Acts 2:1-21

          In 1980, I took a trip with my Mother to France, Germany and Austria. Although our primary destinations were Salzburg and Oberammergau, one other important stop was at the “Silent Night Chapel” near Oberndorf, a beautiful memorial to the creators of the beloved Christmas carol. It is a small chapel dominated by two glorious stained glass windows—one depicting Franz Gruber and the other Joseph Mohr. At the front of the chapel is a table on which lies an exquisitely embroidered white cloth with a lace edging that traces the words, “Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht.”

          From the Silent Night Chapel, we were driven to the “Silent Night Church,” its actual name the St. Nicholas Church, with statues of Gruber and Mohr at the entrance. I was met at the church door by the church organist who, after greeting me, led me upstairs to the organ loft. She turned on the organ and then pointed to me and then to the organ. The only appropriate thing seemed to be for me to play “Silent Night” variations. After I finished, the organist made the sign of the cross on my forehead and on my lips, and then gestured for me to do the same for her. Her English was about on a par with my German, but she guided my hand to make the same signs on her forehead and lips. We embraced and the love of God needed no verbal language.

          In World War I, on Christmas Eve, out of the American trenches rose the song “Silent Night.” A short time later their voices were joined by German voices from the German trenches, voices that fervently sang, “Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht.”

          The world still waits for us to join our voices in common praise to the God who comes to earth in a language that transcends all language, for “the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.”

Prayer

          Come, Holy Spirit, and touch

the hearts of all your children,

that they may come to know

your love and learn to love

and understand one another.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

                                    --Evelyn P. Moore