Stille Nacht Part 8 // 12 Days of Christmas Day 12 + MERRY CHRISTMAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone! As you celebrate with family and friends on this holy day, don’t forget to take time and thank God for sending the Most Precious Gift known to mankind! (Click here for more Christmas Fun!) And now, for the conclusion of Stille Nacht!

Part Eight : Stille Nacht

The next morning, Christmas Day, Adler was awakened by Joey, complaining that he was cold. Adler sat up and shook his head, untangling himself from between Sarge’s rucksack and Harold’s discarded blanket.

“You look like you’re feeling better this morning,” Adler replied.

Joey grinned his boyish grin and sat up on his elbow. “Some better, but I still can’t walk on my own. Already tried. Y’all must have been unconscious not to hear me fall earlier. I had to drag myself back into bed.”

Adler yawned and adjusted Joey’s blankets. “I didn’t get just a whole lot of sleep. I think it was about 4:00 when I finally nodded off.”

“Two hours sure ain’t a lot of sleep. What kept you up?”

Adler sighed and held up the book he had tucked in his shirt pocket. “Sarge’s Bible. You know, there are an awful lot of scriptures on the Messiah…and this Jesus does seem to line up.”

Joey nodded soberly. “That’s what we’ve been trying to tell you, Micah. Even the prophet you’re named for knew who He was, before He was born.”

“Maybe. I’ve still got more reading to do.”

“Good. There’s hope for you then.”

The others rolled out of their self-made cocoons and began to mill about the room as Marta prepared breakfast. Rudi came over to change Joey’s bandage and feel his forehead. “You’re still warm, Yank. Better take it easy today. There’s no way you can walk.”

“Ain’t got a choice. Sarge can’t carry me all day on his back!”

Harold whispered something to Rudi, who smiled and nodded. “Be right back,” he called over his shoulder. He motioned to Stefan and the two hurried outside. Adler didn’t pay them any mind.

Hilde skipped around the room shouting “Frohliche Weihnachten!”

Adler smiled. “Merry Christmas.”

Marta smiled and set out bowls to fill with left over potato soup.

The door blew open, nearly knocking Lars into the wall, as Harold and Stefan trudged in with two sturdy branches. Lars shut the door behind them and pulled out his knife. When Sarge realized what they were doing he pulled out his as well. They hacked off the twigs and limbs, making two semi-smooth poles. “We need rope and a sheet,” Lars commented.

Rudi hunted through his pack and Adler reached for his. In the same moment, they pulled out a roll of sturdy cord. “Got it!”

Marta laughed as she headed to the small side room and returned with a stout looking sheet. Working quickly, Lars and Sarge tied together the sheet, branches and rope.

“And there you have it!” Harold said with a grin. “A stretcher for Joey!”

Adler half smiled. “Joey, you’re getting king treatment today.”

Marta turned back to her breakfast preparations. Hilde, still very much in the Christmas spirit, started humming a tune. Stefan smiled at her and hummed along.

Then, Marta’s lone voice began to sing.
 
Stille Nacht! Heil’ge Nacht!
Alles schlaft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hoch heilige Paar.
Holder Knab’ im lockigen Haar,
Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh!
Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh!
 
Sarge smiled as Joey took up the song.
 
Silent Night! Holy Night!
All is calm; as is bright
‘Round yon virgin, mother and Child.
Holy Infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in Heavenly Peace!
Sleep in Heavenly Peace!
 
Hilde smiled and clapped her hands, soon joined by everyone. “Merry Christmas!”

After breakfast, Rudi helped Sarge carry Joey out on the stretcher while Lars, consulting a map and compass, showed Adler the way back to American lines. “If this is still accurate,” Lars warned. “They are probably much closer by now. And keep a sharp watch for our men.”

Adler nodded and jotted down the directions on his map. “And you for ours, though I’d guess you’d be better off than us in such a situation.”

“Ja, probably.”

They turned as Marta and Hilde came out of the cabin, bundled up and carrying their meager belongings with them. They would accompany their soldiers out of the danger zone back to their lines.

“Well, I guess this is goodbye,” Sarge said, shaking hands with each German present. “I’ll admit, I think at times I’d forgotten you fellows were humans too. Thanks for everything.”

Rudi grinned. “Thanks for proving Americans are equals as well. War paints ugly pictures.”

“Hatred too,” Adler replied. He turned to Lars. “I appreciated our talk.”

Lars smiled. “Keep hoping. They may still be out there.”

“Ja, maybe.”

The soldiers trooped to the wood shed and Stefan handed out their weapons.

“Thank you, Frau Engel, for everything,” Joey called from the stretcher.

“Yes, thank you,” the others replied.

Marta smiled. “Thank you for sharing Christmas with us. May the Lord Bless and keep you.” She turned to Lars. “Shall we go?”

“Ja, forward march!”

The Germans headed one way, the Americans another. But they were different now. Each carried memories that would last the rest of their lives. Hope for peace and healing had been lit in their hearts…all because of a Baby born in Bethlehem.

THE END

And know, for the true story that inspire Stille Nacht...

Have a very Merry Christmas! Jesus is the Reason!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22