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12-07-2007, 11:00 AM
Christmas In Ever-Bright
by Jackie McCune-Merical
It was a beautiful morning in the village of Ever-Bright.
The sun was shining bright and Christmas was now only a few days away.
The tree in the middle of the Town Square had been decorated and the Mayor had declared it to be the most beautiful ever. The town's people were gathered around the tree and the town cryer was at his post on the edge of the square ready to ring his bell, as he did every morning, and declare that all was well.
The Mayor stepped to the platform to officially open the festivities of the holiday season. He opened his Bible and began to read.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son. . .
Suddenly the town cryer rang his bell, "All is not well." he cried as he pointed above the square "Look!"
A darkness had appeared and was hovering just above the trees. The people began calling to the Mayor,
What can this mean?
What will happen to us?
It's because people do not care enough to make our village bright and attractive all the time. cried the Mayor. We only think about it at Christmas.
That's not it. sighed the Preacher. It's because people don't love one another like they should.
Everyone in Ever-Bright thought they had an idea why the darkness was there, but no one really knew for sure. People came from all parts of the village to see the darkness, but when no one could figure out why it was there, they soon lost interest and went about getting ready for Christmas.
Christmas finally came and as the Town Cryer started for the square to ring the bell he noticed that the darkness was getter closer. At first, it had been just a little higher than the decorated tree in the middle of the square. Now it was hard to see the top of the smallest tree. soon it was at the top of the smallest bush and then it came all the way to the ground. Everyone was afraid to go near the darkness. If they had to go to another part of the village, they would walk far out of their way so they could avoid the square.
We must find out what is causing this, said the Mayor to the Town Cryer. Ring the bell to summon the elders.
Soon all the elders were at the Town Hall but before they could even begin to discuss the darkness they heard loud crys coming from near the square. They rushed out of the town hall and saw that the darkness had grown and was now covering most of the houses that were around the square. The people that lived in the houses had ran outside and were afraid to go back into their homes. Help us, they were crying, Please, someone help us.
The Mayor asked if there was someone that would volunteer to go into the darkness to see what it really was.
Young Tom stepped forward. I will go, he said. No, replied his mother, Something might happen to you. Please don't go.
We can tie a rope around Tom's waist, said the Mayor. If he feels anything is wrong, he can cry out to us and we will pull him to safety.
Everyone agreed, so Tom prepared to enter the darkness. A rope was tied around his waist, he kissed his mother and disappeared as the darkness engulfed him.
Soon Tom reappeared. There is nothing in there, he said. Everything is gone. The trees, the bushes, the houses, everything!
What can we do? the people cried. Our village is disappearing. What will happen to us? Suddenly there appeared someone clothed in a garment so white it was almost impossible to look upon An angel someone shouted,
It's an angel!
As the angel spoke, the people threw themselves to the ground.
Fear not, said the angel, I bring you a message from the Eternal Father. You have ceased to walk in His light. You did not heed the voice of your preacher; for truly you do not love one another as you should. Therefore darkness has come and is consuming your village. Repent, and the light will again come to ever-brighten your paths.
We repent, they cried!
The angel vanished, but the darkness remained.
The Mayor put his arm around his weeping wife. No matter what happens I will protect you. I'll give my life for you, he said as he held her closer to him.
Mothers and fathers held their children and told them not be afraid.
Neighbors reached out to one another and pledged to fight together against
the darkness. As love began to flow among the people they hardly noticed the darkness as it began to shrink. Suddenly, they realized everything was bright again, the darkness was gone, and the sun was shinning brightly on the square.
Let us thank the Eternal Father for giving us His light through His love,
said the Mayor.
The good man walks along in the ever-brightening light of God's favor; the dawn gives way to morning splendor, while the evil man gropes and stumbles in the dark.
Proverbs 4:18,19 (Living Bible)
by Jackie McCune-Merical
It was a beautiful morning in the village of Ever-Bright.
The sun was shining bright and Christmas was now only a few days away.
The tree in the middle of the Town Square had been decorated and the Mayor had declared it to be the most beautiful ever. The town's people were gathered around the tree and the town cryer was at his post on the edge of the square ready to ring his bell, as he did every morning, and declare that all was well.
The Mayor stepped to the platform to officially open the festivities of the holiday season. He opened his Bible and began to read.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son. . .
Suddenly the town cryer rang his bell, "All is not well." he cried as he pointed above the square "Look!"
A darkness had appeared and was hovering just above the trees. The people began calling to the Mayor,
What can this mean?
What will happen to us?
It's because people do not care enough to make our village bright and attractive all the time. cried the Mayor. We only think about it at Christmas.
That's not it. sighed the Preacher. It's because people don't love one another like they should.
Everyone in Ever-Bright thought they had an idea why the darkness was there, but no one really knew for sure. People came from all parts of the village to see the darkness, but when no one could figure out why it was there, they soon lost interest and went about getting ready for Christmas.
Christmas finally came and as the Town Cryer started for the square to ring the bell he noticed that the darkness was getter closer. At first, it had been just a little higher than the decorated tree in the middle of the square. Now it was hard to see the top of the smallest tree. soon it was at the top of the smallest bush and then it came all the way to the ground. Everyone was afraid to go near the darkness. If they had to go to another part of the village, they would walk far out of their way so they could avoid the square.
We must find out what is causing this, said the Mayor to the Town Cryer. Ring the bell to summon the elders.
Soon all the elders were at the Town Hall but before they could even begin to discuss the darkness they heard loud crys coming from near the square. They rushed out of the town hall and saw that the darkness had grown and was now covering most of the houses that were around the square. The people that lived in the houses had ran outside and were afraid to go back into their homes. Help us, they were crying, Please, someone help us.
The Mayor asked if there was someone that would volunteer to go into the darkness to see what it really was.
Young Tom stepped forward. I will go, he said. No, replied his mother, Something might happen to you. Please don't go.
We can tie a rope around Tom's waist, said the Mayor. If he feels anything is wrong, he can cry out to us and we will pull him to safety.
Everyone agreed, so Tom prepared to enter the darkness. A rope was tied around his waist, he kissed his mother and disappeared as the darkness engulfed him.
Soon Tom reappeared. There is nothing in there, he said. Everything is gone. The trees, the bushes, the houses, everything!
What can we do? the people cried. Our village is disappearing. What will happen to us? Suddenly there appeared someone clothed in a garment so white it was almost impossible to look upon An angel someone shouted,
It's an angel!
As the angel spoke, the people threw themselves to the ground.
Fear not, said the angel, I bring you a message from the Eternal Father. You have ceased to walk in His light. You did not heed the voice of your preacher; for truly you do not love one another as you should. Therefore darkness has come and is consuming your village. Repent, and the light will again come to ever-brighten your paths.
We repent, they cried!
The angel vanished, but the darkness remained.
The Mayor put his arm around his weeping wife. No matter what happens I will protect you. I'll give my life for you, he said as he held her closer to him.
Mothers and fathers held their children and told them not be afraid.
Neighbors reached out to one another and pledged to fight together against
the darkness. As love began to flow among the people they hardly noticed the darkness as it began to shrink. Suddenly, they realized everything was bright again, the darkness was gone, and the sun was shinning brightly on the square.
Let us thank the Eternal Father for giving us His light through His love,
said the Mayor.
The good man walks along in the ever-brightening light of God's favor; the dawn gives way to morning splendor, while the evil man gropes and stumbles in the dark.
Proverbs 4:18,19 (Living Bible)