Early One Morning (1940s)

[bell] [bell] Come with us early one morning to a far northern land. A strangely mystical scene where the candles burn in the still frosty air over the snowclad graves of the departed is a unique feature of the celebration of Christmas in Sweden. It is still dark while the bells are ringing for early morning service. But all over the countryside the lighted windows show that the people are awake. Presently, flaming points of light appear, moving from every direction as the congregation, in sledges or on foot, begin to converge upon the central meeting place, the village church. The glare of the passing torches across the snow throws up curious vivid reflections and grotesque shadows as these muffled figures slip silently over nature's white carpet. >> [bell] >> Outside the church as they arrive, the members of the congregation leave their torches at the porch before entering the house of worship. Glory. [music] [music] [music] [music] He has one. [music] Oh, [music] what we [music] Oh, [music] we [music] [music] all [music] Gloria. [music] [music] [music] [music] >> [music] [music] [music] >> And now the pastor opens the sacred book and reads to the rat listeners the simple but beautiful story which has captured the heart of mankind. The story which throughout the ages has appealed alike to young and old, to the scholar and to the unlettered. The wonderful story which ends with a message of peace on earth and goodwill towards all men. [music] >> [music] >> Oh [music] [singing] my >> [music] [music] >> through [music] [singing] [music] the door for and Lord [singing] [music] our [singing] [music] dream for will [singing] give [music] [music] me [music] >> [music and singing] [music] >> in me for [singing] me by [music and singing] to me [music] [music] the heart of God and it All in heaven. [music] [music] [music] And the glad sunlight spreads over the earth, heralding yet another Christmas and flooding the world with beauty. The simple but eternal beauty of nature. the amazing purities on earth to inspire the hearts of all with hope everlasting and to strengthen the determination of all mankind to make peace on earth a lasting reality. >> [music] >> are