One Christmas Eve
Posted by Marjorie Ainsborough Decker text© 2010 on Dec 14th, 2009
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Seasons Greetings Dear BlogNog Friends,
Time has brought us one year closer to the return of the One Who is the very heart of the Christmas we are about to celebrate – The Lord Jesus Christ. The One Who came with His Savior’s message and mission from God with the great announcement: “Peace on earth, good will toward men.”
That “Christ”mas message, blazing across the evening sky in fantastic waves of light from millions of angels praising God for the miracle of Christ’s birth, stunned the poor shepherds of Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago.
Suddenly, they were cocooned in a dazzling light display for the ages. Lowly shepherds, given exclusive seats in a field, without having to pay for tickets (which they could never afford anyway). 
But such are the gracious ways of God in honoring those in the most humble of honest occupations. Christmas had entered the hearts of earthlings!
My Christian Mother Goose Rock-A-Bye Christmas Book is dedicated to my life-long friend, Dotty Thur, because of her “Christmas heart.”
Although never married, she will always affectionately be known as the “The Mother of Denver.” This speaks of her constant outpouring of loving compassion to children, her ministering help to the needy, and her witness to Christ Jesus. She has brought the Christ of Christmas to the streets of Denver for decades.
Dotty and I often talked about the spiritual roots of her family that stretched back to Bohemia, (the present Czech Republic) the land of King Wenceslas, (907-935). He is best known to us through the Christmas carol’s true story of “Good King Wenceslas.” 
The carol records his kingly concern and generous help to a peasant trudging through the snow and the “rude wind’s loud lament and the bitter weather.”
It was on the Feast of Stephen, (the day after Christmas) that Good King Wenceslas set out with his page at night to take fuel and food to the poor man he had seen from his castle window. This kindly King was called one of the most beloved brilliant lights of the 10th century. A king who was a father to his people – a peacemaker – but also a defender of the Christian Faith and a fearless and valiant warrior in battle. At only 28 years of age, he was martyred, while on his way to church. Today, the godly king is patron saint of the Czech people, who venerate him with statues, inspiring legends, and a national holiday each year.
The story of good King Wenceslas was my inspiration for echoing his good deeds in the Christian Mother Goose Christmas Book. I relate the story here for you to enjoy:
On Christmas, over 1,000 years ago, Good King Wenceslas looked out a window; saw the desperate need of an earthling in the winter storm, and stepped out to meet that need.
On Christmas, over 2,000 years ago, God opened the windows of heaven, sent forth His Son, Christ Jesus our Savior, to meet the desperate need of deliverance from the “Narnia” winter storm in the soul of fallen earthlings. Like the shepherds who “saw the Light!” – let us make haste to the Babe of Bethlehem!
So, dear BlogNogs, the voices of God’s people throughout the Ages are with us; from shepherds, to Good King Wenceslas, to our dear Dotty Thur, (and even “Three Kind Mice” around the manger). We are all rejoicing this Christmas time with: “Joy to the world, The Lord has come!” Yes! “Let everything that hath breath, Praise The Lord!”
Merry Christmas Blessings!
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Christian Mother Goose®
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Dear Marjorie and Dotty, thank you for the many wonderful book “festivals” during Dotty’s years as a bookstore owner. Dotty is truly one of the great ladies and cheerleaders for Christ of our time!! Keith
Thanks for a wonderful blog, Merry Christmas
Dotty Thur and Good King Wenceslas sure seem to have been “cut from the same cloth.”
Wenceslas is the German name for our Good Czech King whose name was actually Václav (pronounce ‘Vah’-slafv’), And yes, he was a saint among saints! I heard many stories of him when in Prague one Christmas. It was his own dark brother who out of jealousy and greed managed Václav’s martyrdom. Václav wanted to settle their differences privately, between themselves rather than drag their followers into a bloody war. Only the brother knew that Václav was not only physically his superior but knew that somehow Someone always defended Václav in battle. So he betrayed him to death one sad evening.
Doesn’t this remind you a little of the battle between the prideful, jealous Lucifer against our mighty Lord Jesus who was born to die on our behalf? As Jesus triumphed over the grave, so shall we … and someday we who trust in Him will speak face to face with Good King Václav!
I would love to know Dotty! She sounds like such an inspiring woman who keeps Christmas throughout the year – my kind of lady!
It would be so fun to hear her favorite stories of times with “her” children! Thanks too, for the sweet “Three Kind Mice” story-poem. You can read that to me anytime! 
Merry Christmas!
Carolyn