17 January 2023 · 2023-01 newsletter
Many of our Shrine-Pilgrims were looking forward to having our traditional Carol-singing this year again in front of the Shrine instead of the Family hall. Yet no-one would have dared to believe that it was almost as cold as in front of the original Shrine in Schoenstatt and only some of the people arriving had really prepared for the chilly weather.
The Schoenstatt Choir under the leadership of Elmer and Edna were eager and punctual at the left of the Shrine, and Elizabeth and her little actors for the nativity story were excited about their parts, except St. Joseph was missing and no child was volunteering for this honoured task until an adult turned up to give it a go. But he was in shorts, an outfit which one normally would not expect for biblical figures and even the husband of Mary, yet he did it all professionally, keeping an eye not only on the newborn baby and his dear mother, but also the angels, the sole little shepherd and the three wise men around him.
They had all come in at the appropriate time of the biblical and meditative text and fitting Carols and sat down nicely on the red carpet from the Shrine, which was lit up, the truly perfect background of Bethlehem.
When the 3 Kings had presented their precious presents, small slips of paper were being distributed to everyone to write down their personal gifts or petitions to Baby Jesus, who accepted them inside the Shrine through the hands of his dear Mother.
After singing enthusiastically the "Feliz Navidad" people could wish for their own favourite Carol, and that finished with the " I wonna wish You a merry Christmas…" After this People seemed to quickly head for their own cosy warm homes and supper, yet happy and grateful about this "Carol Singing in front of the Shrine."
Filed underEvents · Newsletter