December 23, 1818 (Novel Format)
This is a work I wrote for the HEAR Scenario Department I belong to.
Once a month, we decide on a theme and write works for each other.
This is a story that can be used freely for readings and voice dramas.
If you use it for streaming or similar purposes, please follow the terms at the end of the text.
■HEAR Scenario Department Official (You can also read works by other members. Currently over 150 titles)
■Other works posted to the HEAR Scenario Department by Nekotsu
■To the table of contents for other works by Nekotsu, including essays
It was December 23, 1818.
Ah, it's cold... It's snowing again. I entered the chapel, brought my numb hands to my mouth, and blew on them.
I came to the organ at the edge of the chapel, sat on the chair, and placed my feet on the pedals. Huh? Even when I pressed down, it felt strangely hollow.
At a time like this...
With this much snow, I can't call Karl to come and fix it.
What should I do...
However, there's no point in worrying about it. Repairing instruments is a craftsman's job. My job is to be the hands and feet of the Lord and to connect the Lord with the people. It's no use thinking about things that aren't my role.
I was carrying firewood for the stove while thinking about what kind of songs to sing without an instrument tomorrow, but I stopped that for a moment. I decided to think about the content of tomorrow's sermon. Before long, it became evening.
Joseph returned.
"Welcome back. Thank you for your hard work. It must have been tough in the snow... What's wrong? You look troubled."
Joseph replied.
"Did I look troubled? I went to give a blessing today, and seeing the mother and baby made me remember various things..."
I listened while holding my hands over the stove.
"She was the mother who seemed the happiest about the birth of her baby that I have ever seen. It made me wonder if my own birth was celebrated like that..."
"You're overthinking it. We were all born because we were blessed by God. And we are living like this. Isn't that right?"
"Lord, sometimes I think you could have made things a little easier for my mother... Am I unfit to be a clergyman..."
"I think it's a pity about your mother. But thanks to Mr. Hurnle, you were able to attend seminary. That's why you're able to serve as an assistant priest like this! This is truly the guidance of the Lord!"
"That's true..."
"More than that... we're in trouble..."
"What happened?"
I spread my hands and said.
"The organ is broken."
"What? Of all days, today? Oh, what a disaster! What will we do for tomorrow's Christmas mass?"
I put my hand to my chin and tilted my head.
"That's it... I'm racking my brain thinking about what kind of hymns to sing without accompaniment..."
Joseph was also looking down and tilting his head, but he raised his face as if he had thought of something.
"..................Why don't we try making a new hymn?"
"A new hymn?"
"Yes!"
"What are you saying? I don't understand what you're talking about!"
"Franz, you know I have a habit of overthinking things."
"Ah, yes, that's true..."
"Did you know I write poetry?"
"No, I'm hearing that for the first time!"
"It's presumptuous, but I have poems about the Lord's teachings. Why don't we turn this into lyrics and make a song?"
"Even if you have lyrics, you need a melody!"
"Franz! You're the one who will make it!"
"Me? That's impossible! I'm not a composer! And the organ is broken."
"You can play the guitar, can't you!"
"Only as a hobby. I don't even know that many chords!"
"You can keep it simple. It's in the Gospel of Matthew, isn't it? 'When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.' Sometimes simple songs and melodies convey more, don't you think? You can play about three chords, right? Besides, the improvisations you play when you're free sometimes are wonderful."
"That's just messing around! ...Composing... and composing a hymn at that..."
"But we have to sing something tomorrow! Anyway, I'll go get the poem!"
Joseph went off to get his poem before I could answer. Good grief.
"Here, this is it!"
I looked at the lyrics Joseph brought.
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant, so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
"This is..."
"See, it's perfect for a holy night, isn't it?"
Joseph probably hadn't had a peaceful sleep in over ten years.
I know that he is tormented by nightmares every single night without fail.
I heard that Joseph's mother became pregnant with the child of a soldier of unknown origin, and Joseph was called a fatherless child, despised, sometimes subjected to violence, and his mother died in extreme poverty.
If Johann Hurnle, the choir director, hadn't heard the young Joseph's wonderful singing and adopted him, what kind of life would Joseph have led?
Haven't you yet found peace of soul like a normal person?
But... I thought of something else.
The ugliness of the high-ranking church officials who pride themselves on being chosen by God and upholding the faith.
The way they fight over who is the greatest.
What on earth did they learn from the Bible?
Perhaps those who simply acknowledge that they carry contradictions are the ones who can convey the message that connects the Lord and us.
I brought the guitar and lightly plucked the strings. This isn't the melody.
Even late at night, the song wouldn't settle.
I have to make a song that is worthy of Joseph's lyrics...
Near dawn, the song was finally finished. Joseph was leaning against a chair, sleeping face down. It's amazing he can sleep when it's this cold.
...Wait, come to think of it... isn't this the first time Joseph has slept deeply without being tormented by nightmares?
"Hey, sleepyhead. The song is done!"
I shook Joseph awake.
"Hmm... eh? It's done? ...Let me hear it!!"
I plucked the beginning of the song I had made.
"...Isn't that great!"
I played the song again from the beginning. And once more.
Even though he had only heard it once, Joseph began to sing the new hymn in a wonderful voice, matching my guitar accompaniment.
December 1818. The organ at St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria, broke. Despite Christmas approaching, there was no prospect of the organ being repaired. This led Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber of St. Nicholas Church to quickly create a new hymn called "Silent Night" using a guitar. Its simple and beautiful lyrics and melody captivated many people, spread throughout the world, and are still sung today.
※This work is based on historical facts but is fiction.
References
◆
https://www.family.gr.jp/christmas/story/stories/silent_night.html
◆Ehime University Industrial Association Journalhttp://www.eu-kogyokai.jp/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/1f35fbfd6db61582c5591a84fc3fb282.pdf
November 2011 Haruo FujiiThe History of Silent Night
Regarding the use of this work
・This work can be used for free for readings, streaming, etc., as long as it is non-commercial, but I have not waived the copyright. The copyright of the text belongs to Nekotsu.・When streaming, please credit the work title, author name, and the URL where it was posted in the summary section or thumbnail.・You may change the wording to make it easier to say, as long as you do not alter the endings, conjunctions, or the content and meaning of the story.
・If you wish to alter the content of the story when streaming, please consult with Nekotsu.
・Also, these terms are subject to change without notice. I cannot be held responsible for any trouble that may occur when using this text, so please use it at your own risk.
To the table of contents for other works