THE BISHOP SPOKE

Tis a gift to be simple.

On our tour yesterday, we were privileged to have the Bishop of the Amish community talk to us at our "thresher" lunch.  We did not know he was a bishop until we were leaving -- that is how unassuming these people are to titles and roles.

He dressed like everyone else in the family. Yet, when he spoke it was clear that he was an orator with his moving way of speaking. 

The Bishop talked to us about how we take things for granted until they are gone.  He illustrated his point with a poignant story about how Christianity was eradicated from Soviet Russia in the 1930s as Stalin was taking power. 

As he told it, Christmas was basically outlawed. A teacher, probably Amish, was explaining to his class that their holiday church service may not be held because of the recent takeover of the government. The community got together and Peter, a farmer, held a Christmas service in his barn, was arrested for doing so and disappeared.  The story was so moving. I had the distinct feeling that "Peter" was a relative of the Bishop.

The Bishop was very much saddened by this loss. He said that Peter had to walk in front of the soldiers as he was forced from his home and was never heard from again.  He told it in a Garrison Keeler fashion -- NPR's storyteller.

Let us thank God for all that we have. Let us hold each other dearly in the palms of our hands especially as we celebrate the reason for the season, the birth of Christ.