00:04THE END
01:01Many years ago, before there were any automobiles, and before we had electricity or even gaslighting, and when people used
01:10horses if they wanted to go out for a ride, and oil lamps and candles needed a light, there lived
01:17in a small country town.
01:20Yes, a butcher, a baker, and a candlestick maker.
01:32With just over a week to go before Christmas, the townspeople were busy indeed, and none more so than the
01:40candle maker and his young son, Tom.
01:53For in those days, quite small boys were expected to behave like grown men.
02:04The End
02:09The End
02:11The End
02:18The End
02:19The End
02:22The End
02:39The End
02:40The End
02:42The End
02:43The End
02:44The End
02:51For years now, every Saturday at 4 o'clock, the candle maker had been making the journey from his shop
02:57to the church across the square.
03:07Because God had been so good to him and blessed his home and his work, he showed his gratitude by
03:12giving his finest candles to shine upon the altar as an offering to God.
03:26The End
03:27The End
03:32The End
03:36The End
03:47The End
03:48The End
03:50The End
03:57The End
03:58The End
03:58The End
03:59The End
03:59The End
03:59The End
03:59The End
03:59The End
04:03The End
04:06If I walk by Lord I walk, and I be in treasured blood,
04:18May thyself and I will be, ever only call for thee.
04:34Amen.
04:39Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works
04:44and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
04:47Whenever I read these words of Jesus, I think of one of our own people.
04:53Our friend the candle maker, like a good steward,
04:57shows his love for God by giving his most beautiful candles
05:01to light the cross upon our altar.
05:04I pray that all of us will always give in this same spirit,
05:08to show our love for the Father who blessed us with a Christ child.
05:14The family was up early next morning for a busy week lay ahead.
05:18The candle maker had to deliver quantities of Christmas candles
05:22of all shapes and sizes to the outlying farms and villages.
05:28Hurry up, son.
05:30Coming, Father.
05:32Now, now.
05:33I'm not going away forever.
05:35I'll be back on Christmas Eve in time for service.
05:37Look after your mother, son.
05:40And there are plenty of candles to be made.
05:44Don't worry, Father.
05:46Don't forget this week I'm leaving you to make the second altar candle.
05:50I have made only one.
05:52And remember, both must be taken over to church by 4 o'clock Saturday.
05:57Yes, Father.
05:59Goodbye now.
06:01Goodbye.
06:02Bye, Father.
06:10With his father away and his mother extra busy getting ready for Christmas,
06:15young Tom was in charge of the workshop.
06:20With the task of turning out many candles a day.
06:24And then there was the altar candle for the Christmas Eve service on Saturday.
07:00On that Christmas Eve long ago, the church was made beautiful by the loving work of loving hands.
07:07Just as churches are today.
07:09Then, as now, there was a manger where boys and girls would bring the white Christmas offering for the children's
07:15home.
07:28Tell them I love the spirit.
07:29Peel, we should have left over. Did you
07:30possible why you can be to leave your... to mass
07:30fianfil herittäinist?
07:34He's perfectly well. Log nurse,
07:35don't you... Dull him
07:38in your life. He
07:40misst I'm afraid of you,
07:53Tommy!
07:54Tom!
07:55Better get washed up for supper.
07:57Your father will be home soon.
07:59Tommy, you forgot.
08:01Run over quickly now.
08:03And be careful you don't drop them.
08:09I'm sorry I was late with the candles, Pastor.
08:13Never mind.
08:14You did do it.
08:15And just let me go.
08:16Just in time, too.
08:18Look who's coming.
08:27Well, son, did you make the church candle?
08:34Yes, Father.
08:46What do you do?
08:47Well, we are not.
08:49Oh, dear.
09:04We're going to go.
09:10Come with me.
09:12I'll go.
09:13I'll go.
09:14I'll go.
09:16Let me, come on.
09:44CHOIR SINGS
09:59Each member of the family had his own sad thoughts that night.
10:05To think that a son of mine should make such a candle.
10:10A worthless candle that won't shine.
10:12And after all these years.
10:16Young Tom knew what his parents were thinking.
10:20That he had failed them.
10:22And that he had failed God.
10:34Oh, sweetie, I'm in such trouble.
10:40I have to make the candle all over.
10:44I wish I could be made over as easily as a candle.
10:50Well, it's easy.
10:52Jesus will help me.
11:21I wish I could be on you.
11:44Oh, my God.
12:09Oh, my God.
12:41And so it was many years ago that the candle-maker's son learned the meaning of Christian stewardship,
12:49just as we must learn it today.
