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Story
December 15, 1953
The Farmville Herald And Farmer Leader
Farmville, Prince Edward County, Virginia
What is this article about?
In old Austria, a generous cobbler and his wife light a candle in their window as a symbol of hope during war and famine. Villagers, inspired on Christmas Eve, do the same, leading to a miraculous snowfall and widespread custom of candle lighting for love and cheer.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Many, many years ago, an old cobbler and his wife lived in Austria.
Although the humble shoemaker owned few worldly possessions, whatever he had, he always shared with others.
Symbolic of his generosity and love of mankind was the lighted candle he placed in the window of his cottage.
Over a period of years, war, famine, and near-destruction fell upon this little village, but never did the cobbler's candle fail to send out its beam as a message of hope and cheer to all.
Somehow too, the cobbler and his wife seemed to suffer far less throughout the trouble than did the other villagers.
Discouraged and weary, the villagers gathered together one evening to discuss the cobbler's fortune. They decided it must be the candle in the window.
That night was Christmas Eve, and when each person went back to his cottage, he too lit a candle and put it in the window.
The next morning it seemed that a miracle had happened. A soft mantle of snow had covered the village, and an air of hope and contentment filled the hearts of the villagers.
And now, many, many years later, this custom has spread all over the world. Today, millions of candles flicker in windows in every land sending forth a message of love, hope, and cheer that will never grow old.
(From a meeting of the Prospect Home Demonstration Club)
Although the humble shoemaker owned few worldly possessions, whatever he had, he always shared with others.
Symbolic of his generosity and love of mankind was the lighted candle he placed in the window of his cottage.
Over a period of years, war, famine, and near-destruction fell upon this little village, but never did the cobbler's candle fail to send out its beam as a message of hope and cheer to all.
Somehow too, the cobbler and his wife seemed to suffer far less throughout the trouble than did the other villagers.
Discouraged and weary, the villagers gathered together one evening to discuss the cobbler's fortune. They decided it must be the candle in the window.
That night was Christmas Eve, and when each person went back to his cottage, he too lit a candle and put it in the window.
The next morning it seemed that a miracle had happened. A soft mantle of snow had covered the village, and an air of hope and contentment filled the hearts of the villagers.
And now, many, many years later, this custom has spread all over the world. Today, millions of candles flicker in windows in every land sending forth a message of love, hope, and cheer that will never grow old.
(From a meeting of the Prospect Home Demonstration Club)
What sub-type of article is it?
Biography
Extraordinary Event
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Providence Divine
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Cobbler
Candle
Austria
Generosity
Christmas Eve
Miracle
Custom
Hope
What entities or persons were involved?
Old Cobbler
His Wife
Villagers
Where did it happen?
Austria, Little Village
Story Details
Key Persons
Old Cobbler
His Wife
Villagers
Location
Austria, Little Village
Event Date
Many, Many Years Ago, Christmas Eve
Story Details
Generous cobbler lights window candle symbolizing hope during hardships; villagers imitate on Christmas Eve, resulting in miraculous snow and global custom of candle lighting for cheer.