HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1969-12-25, Page 13•
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A long time ago in a land far away there lived a little angel. Although he was a very good little angel (are angels ever
anything else?) he was a very untidy chap. He found it practically impossible to keep his halo straight and the hem of his
robe from getting all dusty.
But worse than anything else, the little angel just could not keep his wings clean. Every morning before he left the
house his mother would wash his wings with dew drops and polish them with starlight and every day, before he had even
reached the Heavenly Choirmaster's big music hall, the little angel's wings were all soiled and just plain dirty.
One morning the little angel arrived for choir practice and took his place at the left of the golden harp. As usual, the
Heavenly Choirmaster was right on time. He strode toward the raised platform, climbed up on it, picked up his golden
baton and raised his long arms to signal the beginning of the first chorus.
Just then the Heavenly Choirmaster's eyes fell on the little angel. The little angel squirmed uncomfortably, knowing
his tarnished wings would not pass the careful inspection of the Heavenly Choirmaster who demanded that all his angels
be shining and in gleaming array.
?Little angel," called out the Heavenly Choirmaster, "we are preparing for a very special event. We are invited to
perform very soon now at the birth of a King. Because we don't know the exact hour this wondrous thing will take
place, I expect all my chorus to be ready at a moment's notice. It is clear, little angel, that you are never ready to greet a
King. I'm afraid you must leave this choir until you are big enough to.keep your halo straight, your hem out of the dust
and your wings clean." •
With that; the Heavenly Choirmaster ushered the little angel to the door, pushed hirn outside and shut the huge door
.with a resounding bang.
A big lump formed in the little angel's throat. . stinging tears filled his eyes and,began to 'roll down his cherub
cheeks. It was plain to see the little angel with the ty wings was the saddest angel in all the Heavenly Kingdom. He
just sat on the steps of the music hall and brooded. 1
I don't know how long he sat there. It was long after the Heavenly Choirmaster and his band of angels had left the
great hall for the day. In fact, it was growing dark and the streets were deserted.
The little angel was just about to pick himself up and go home to tell his mother about his terrible misfortune when
an angel messenger came flying up the steps of the music hall. .,
"Where's.,the Heavenly Choirmaster?" the messenger gasped. "And where's the Heavenly choir? The King is born and
it is ti-melo.r_th.e Heay. my concert! Where is everybody?"
The' little angel couldn't believe his ears.
"Don't just stand there, little angel," shouted the messenger: "Go and find the Heavenly Choirmaster. Tell, him he's to
take the heavenly choir, to a hillside just overlooking Bethlehem. The shepherds are waiting there for news of the g
birth
There was no time now to think about drooping halos, dusty hems and dirty wings. There was,certainly no time to sit
around and mope.
The little angelup
gathered his angelic self and hurried through,the streets of the Heavenly Kingdom shouting, "It is
time. The King is born. Come to the"hillside near Bethlehem to greet Him.
Up
and down the streets of town ran the little angel. Over and over he cried his message. Then, forgetting
ther hwas
banished from the chorus, the little angel made his way as quickly as possible to the spot where the choir was g g
Whatmighty a mi ht host of angels. Everyone was there ... everyone that is except the Heavenly Choirmaster. lnlithout him,
the Heavenly choir would never be able to sng;praises for the newborn King.
jagged rock. Silence fell over
That's when the little angel got his idea. Bravely, the little angel cTo his great amament he began to move
the choir. Slowly, ever so slowly, the.little angel raised his shaking arms.
his arms so as to direct the Heavenly Choir and more surprisingly than that, the Heavenly Choir began to sing.
"Glory to God in the
'Highest," they chorused, "and peace on earth, goodwill to all men."
choir and at the sound o
When the Heavenly Choirmaster finally did arrive he rejoiced at the sight of the grand
strangely beautiful music. He went over to where the little angel was standing and raised the tiny director high onto his
shoulders. Then the Heavenly Choirmaster handed the little angel his golden baton and the little angel continued to
direct the entire host of heavenly angels.
I don't know how long the singing went on but 1 do know it was the most. joyful music this world has ever heard.
When it was over, the Heavenly Choirmaster set the little angel down on the ground. For the first time, the little angel
noticed the great light that shone.all around.
At first he thought it must be from the bright star, but -it was shining doJvn on a stable in Bethlehem.
It was then he realized the light was beaming forth from where he stood. He loojCed at himself. And do you know
what had happened?
Why, the little angel's halo was absolutely straight, the hem of his gown was as white as the snow and his wings;were
like two giant silver mirrors they shone sq clean and bright.
Andras far as I know, the little angel's wings were never dirty.again.
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