December 20, 2023 • 21 mins
The intimate labyrinth of pastoral life isn't all sermons and Sunday school; it's a mosaic of sacrifice, love, and unexpected blessings. This week's heartwarming exploration delves into Margaret E. Sangster Jr.'s "Like a Candle in the Window," where we walk alongside Joan, a pastor's wife shouldering the weight of lost privacy and searching for her identity amidst the demands of her husband's calling. As her story unfolds, we discover the delicate dance between personal desires and communal responsibilities, painting a vivid picture of the joys and challenges that come with the role.
Strap in for an emotional sleigh ride through the complexities of small-town dynamics, where every face tells a story and every heart beats in unison with the community's pulse. From the intrusive yet charming quirks of Joan's new neighbors to the poignant moments of a homespun Christmas, we witness the transforming power of simplicity and selfless love. Join us as we reflect on the fabric of a life lived in service, where Joan's journey towards finding her place is a beacon of hope, illuminating the true essence of community during this festive season.
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Speaker 1 (00:18):
Being a pastor's wife can be very challenging, and
she can be a great blessing toboth her husband and the
congregation, as well as her ownfamily, and so this story is
dedicated to our pastor's wivesout there.
So gather the family and enjoythis Christmas story Like a
(00:52):
candle in the window by MargaretE Sangster Jr.
Greg lifted her tenderly acrossthe threshold of the little
gray stone house and held hertightly in his arms.
Her clear blue eyes looked upinto his and then suddenly she
buried her head in the fold ofhis arm and sobbed out oh,
(01:15):
gregory Carter, I love you, loveyou with all my heart, but I
wish I didn't.
Well, mrs Carter, for a brideof two weeks, that is quite a
statement.
Would you mind telling me whyyou wish you didn't love your
husband?
All my life I've told myselfJoan don't ever marry a preacher
(01:36):
.
Marry a lawyer, a farmer, atailor, a baker, but don't ever
marry a preacher.
And here I am, married to you,the pastor of a church in a
little mountain town a thousandmiles from nowhere.
And I want a husband, a husbandall my own.
Any complaints so far?
(01:57):
Smiled, gregory, you have hadmy entire and undivided
attention for the past two weeksI thought we had quite a
honeymoon.
Joan snuggled her head into thespot between Greg's ear and his
collarbone.
I've loved every minute of thepast two weeks, but that is just
it.
For two weeks I have had awonderful husband who gave me
(02:19):
his undivided love and attention, but now for the rest of my
life, I must share you witheverybody, your whole
congregation and anyone whoneeds you.
I'm tired of your people.
They met us at the station anddrove us from one end of the
town to the other.
My hand aches from beingsqueezed.
(02:39):
I'm gummy from being kissed bywomen I've never seen before.
Probably they're looking at usright now staring through the
windows three or four of them inmy kitchen watching.
I feel as if we would live in aglass house for the rest of our
lives.
There was a creek somewhere inthe back of the house and
involuntarily Greg glanced backover his shoulder.
(03:01):
Joan's sobs stopped abruptly.
She dabbed at her eyes with ahandkerchief and called Come on
out, come out wherever you are.
The hall door opened and theystreamed in, laughing and
calling Welcome home.
The senior deacon, the juniordeacon and their wives and
children, the dorkess and thechoir.
(03:22):
They were all there and theyhad food pies, cakes and
sandwiches.
Greg went forward to greet themand they gathered around him.
They love Greg, thought Joan.
He is their pastor.
Oh, make me strong enough toaccept them.
And then suddenly she was angry.
Greg's my husband, he belongsto me.
(03:43):
It's our life and we're goingto live it.
They left, finally, and Joansank down into the living room
sofa.
The room was a mess dirty cupsand plates sticky with cake
frosting, half-eaten sandwichescurling up at the edges.
Greg said gently the women willcome back tomorrow.
They'll clean everything up,but I don't want them to come
(04:07):
back.
I want to wash my own dishesand clean my own house.
Greg laughed you were an onlychild, darling.
You've never learned to share.
But, greg, you'll never belongentirely to me.
I want a husband who goes towork at eight and comes home at
five, and between five and eightwill belong to me.
I'll always belong to you, dear.
(04:28):
We both belong to our HeavenlyFather and because we do, we
belong to each other.
You will find that love is likethe woodow's meal the more you
give, the more you have foryourself.
Life in this secluded littlecommunity is hard and dull and,
oh, my dear, we have so much togive.
Our lives must be like aguiding star, like a candle in a
(04:51):
window to show those who passby the way home.
And so they settled down, theyoung Carter's, gregory Carter
and his wife Joan, living indeedin a gold fishbowl in a small
mountain village, living in astone house separated from a
stone church by twenty paces ofsnowy lawn.
Greg preached fervently andhonestly from the pulpit.
(05:15):
He drove out into the countryto call on the sick parishioners
to perform marriage servicesand pray above opened graves.
Anne Joan, at home, did herbest to keep the parsonage
shining, to cook meals that werenourishing and edible and to
think according to the patternof her new life.
She had an endless stream ofcallers, somebody every day.
(05:39):
Mrs Judson, across the street,you say you were born in New
York City.
My, my, how you must miss thebright lights and all the goings
on.
Nothing but God's mountains tolook at here and Main Street and
Joan Woodmermer.
It's a charming little town.
That coach you wore to churchlast Sunday.
Honey, was it real mink ormuskrat Mink, joan Woodnod,
(06:03):
Daddy gave it to me when I was18.
Or Mrs Temney from around thecorner would drop in to help dry
the dishes and exclaim Landsakes dearie.
You don't use these fancydishes every day, I hope.
And Joan would answer yes, theywere wedding gifts and I like
to use them.
When Joan protested to herhusband that she was tired of
(06:25):
all the women giving her adviceand prying into her own personal
affairs, greg answered darling,the city you came from is made
up of many little islands and oneach island people live by and
to themselves.
But it's different when youlive in a small town.
It's all one island and yourcommon property.
When they had been married forone month, joan thought it
(06:48):
called for a celebration andbaked a pie Her very first.
It was lemon meringue and itwas beautiful.
That evening she set the tablewith her best china and silver.
She gathered flowers and placedthem in the center of the table
with a tall candle at eitherend.
The table was beautiful and thedinner was delicious.
(07:09):
Joan was thinking how wonderfulto have an evening all to
ourselves.
She had just cleared the platesaway and was going for her
triumph for the lemon meringuepie to set before her husband
when there was a knock at thedoor.
Answering, greg heard goodevening, are you a minister,
please?
I am Tony and this is Maria.
(07:30):
We'd like to get married.
Please Get married.
Asked Greg.
Are you alone?
Where are your families?
Oh, please, we have no families.
You see, I come five years agofrom Italy.
All the time I make these shoes.
Every day I make a shoes, makea shoes and save up my money
Till at last I have enough tobring Maria.
(07:52):
She is time waiting in the oldcountry, and now today she comes
.
I got a z-house ready.
Oh, we are very happy, and nowwe'd like to get married, please
.
We have no family in thiscountry.
No mama, no papa, no brother,no sister, just Maria and Tony,
that's all.
(08:12):
And now we'd like to getmarried.
Too bad, no family, but withflowers on the table and candles
just alike, nice wedding.
Greg hesitated, but if Maria hasjust come, she does not speak
English, she will not understandthe ceremony.
Oh, no matter, answered Tony.
You tell him me, I tell himMaria, we do.
Okay.
And so, with Joan as witness,the service proceeded, with Tony
(08:36):
translating each vow carefully,and when, at last, greg had
pronounced them, man and wifeTony smiled at Joan and said
hopefully, maybe you be like asister to Maria.
She has only me, tony.
No mama, no sister in thiscountry.
And suddenly Joan rememberedthe lemon meringue pie.
Four of the very best plateswere placed on the table and the
(08:59):
china cups were filled withsteaming chocolate, and the pie
that was baked for just twobecame a wedding feast for four.
Joan did try to be like asister to Maria.
Maria was a beautiful girl,gracious and charming, and Joan
enjoyed taking her to thevillage market and helping her a
bit to master the new language.
She made it a point to see thatshe met the other young women
(09:22):
in the congregation and severaltimes Tony and Maria were dinner
guests at the parsonage.
But Joan still found it veryhard to accept Greg's people.
Why can't we ever have a littletime to ourselves?
Why must the house always befilled with your people, she
demanded of Greg.
They aren't my people, darling.
He answered they are God'speople, the sheep of his pasture
(09:46):
, and it was God who sent ushere to be the shepherd of his
flock.
And Joan had choked back thetears as she answered.
Maybe he sent you.
Oh, if only we had a home, areal home that was all ours.
Why must we share everythingwith your people?
Because, dear, I am theirpastor and you are their
pastor's wife.
Where is ours must be theirstoo.
(10:10):
The day Greg had promised totake Joan's shopping in the city
, 60 miles away.
Just as they were ready toleave, nash Simpson had come in
and said his oldest boy wasdetermined to leave home.
That with the summer, plantingand all, they needed him
desperately.
And besides, what would a boyhis age do in the big city?
Wouldn't Greg come over andtalk to him?
(10:32):
And Greg had gone and talkeduntil it was too late to make
the shopping trip.
But he had persuaded the boy tostay and help his father until
the harvest was over and hadpromised that he would go with
him in the fall to help him findwork and a place to live in the
city if he still wanted to go.
The night Joan's sister and herhusband had stopped to visit
(10:53):
them on their way home from abusiness trip.
They were just sitting down todinner when the doctor called
Silas Wothers was badly hurt,nearly cut his leg off with a
scythe.
When the pastor drive out withthe doctor and Greg had gone and
the sister had wondered howJoan managed never being able to
depend on having her husband athome, joan had lifted her chin
(11:15):
a bit and said oh, that is partof being a pastor's wife, but
she had wondered herself how shestood it.
When Mr Carlton, the onlywealthy member of the
congregation, gave the church anew organ, joan was the only one
who could play it.
So it was Joan who played forthe choir, and this brought
responsibilities and more peoplemaking demands of her, though
(11:37):
she loved the music and devotedmuch time to planning the
numbers for each service.
Sarah Bradley had finished highschool and was to go into the
state college for the fall term.
She appeared at Joan's door onemorning with the catalog under
her arm.
Oh, mrs Carter, won't you helpme choose my clothes?
I want to look nice as theother girls at school.
(11:59):
If you would just help me.
You always look so nice, andJoan had spent the morning with
her until the order was made adress for parties, a neat suit
for church, skirts and blousesand sweaters for school, and
Joan had contributed some littlescarves and a dainty
handkerchief herself.
Sarah went home with a lightheart, though Joan's ironing was
(12:20):
still undone.
Mrs Carlton was here today.
Joan announced at dinner a weekbefore Thanksgiving she says we
must have Thanksgiving with them.
We must go there directly afterthe service.
She paused and then but we'renot going, greg, I want to have
this Thanksgiving alone with you.
It will be our firstThanksgiving together, our last
(12:43):
as bride and groom, and I wantto cook our dinner.
I want to serve it on my owndishes to my husband.
Mr Carlton is our greatestbenefactor, said Greg.
He's also our best friend.
It was he, you know, who hadthe oil burner put in this
parsnitch.
He gave the money for the organ.
We'll have to go to his housefor Thanksgiving, darling.
(13:05):
They have extended theinvitation to show their
friendship and love for us All.
Right, greg Carter, you may goand eat Thanksgiving with the
Carltons, but I am staying home.
I married you, not yourcongregation.
It's you I love, not all yourpeople.
And so Greg told his seniordeacon that Joan was not feeling
(13:25):
well, that they would have todecline the invitation.
But somehow the supper was notthe success Joan had anticipated
.
And then, suddenly, it was themorning of Christmas Eve and the
sky was leaden gray.
By noon it was snowing and bylate afternoon a blizzard was
howling.
And Mr Carlton's gift, the oilburner wasn't working the way it
(13:47):
should.
But in spite of the cold, joanhad decorated the room with the
evergreen and holly berries Greghad brought in, and a bright
little Christmas tree stood inthe corner near the window.
Oh, greg.
Joan said Christmas is awonderful time.
And then the telephone rang.
Darling said Greg, as hereturned from the telephone, you
(14:09):
remember old Mr Murray.
He's taken a turn for the worse.
He may not live the night out.
I must go to him Through thisblizzard, joan asked.
Greg nodded and leave me aloneon Christmas Eve.
You'll be all right, darling.
Remember we have a lifetimeahead of us to spend Christmas
together and this is perhaps thelast one on this earth for Mr
(14:32):
Murray.
I must do what I can for him,dear, all right, but this is the
last Christmas I'm spendinghere.
I'm going home to my family inNew York.
How can anybody be happy,married to an impersonal
minister who belongs toeverybody but not his wife?
So Greg kissed her, held hertightly for a moment and then
(14:52):
started out in his small,elderly car.
And as the white pencils ofsnow broke against his
windshield, he prayed for a safejourney that he might bring
strength and courage and faithto Mr Murray, for Joan's
protection and for theirhappiness.
And Joan pressed her nose tothe windowpane and tried to see
across a white world.
(15:13):
Oh, greg, greg, you are so fineand good, but I want you all to
myself.
And as she looked, she saw alight coming toward her through
the storm.
She watched until a knocksounded at the door Come in.
She called and turned to see MrsTenney.
She had come with a loaf offreshly-baked bread, warm and
(15:34):
fragrant.
Oh, mrs Tenney, you camethrough the storm to bring this
to us.
My dear, I had to come.
It's Christmas Eve and I had tocome and tell you how much you
have done for me during the year.
I hope you haven't minded mecoming in so often, just in time
to dry your dishes Somehow, asI have touched those sparkling
(15:56):
glasses and dainty cups.
It has made me want to keep myhands and heart clean and
shining like them.
It's made me realize that lifeisn't all just work and hardship
.
There is beauty all around usif we just look for it.
You can't know what has meantto me to come to your parsonage
here so spotless and pretty.
This isn't much, but I hopeyou'll enjoy it and know how
(16:19):
much we love you.
As Joan stood holding the warmloaf of bread, tears filled her
eyes, but she wiped them quicklyas a voice called out Anybody
home.
It was Mrs Judson, from acrossthe street, all alone.
I thought as much.
I knew about old Mr Murray andI figured the pastor would be
(16:40):
out there with him.
Taint, exactly nice to spendChristmas Eve alone.
So I just thought I'd run overfor a few minutes.
My, your house looks rightChristmas-y.
But then this house alwayslooks just the way a pastor's
home should look Need as a pin,flowers here and there for a bit
of cheer and comfortable chairsjust where they're needed most.
(17:01):
I hope I haven't been a botherto you, but it always just sets
my day outright to run over forjust a minute or two.
And I've said more than once,it's no wonder our pastor is
such a success, always full ofcourage and cheer, with such a
home to come to when his work isover and your clothes seem to
might extravagant at first.
(17:22):
But more men had come home iftheir wives kept themselves
prettied up and looked somethingworth coming home to.
Oh yes, I've said many times,says I.
Our pastor's wife does her partand does it well.
My, I might near forget.
Here's a pint of my strawberrypreserves.
I hope you'll like them.
Sarah Bradley stopped by to showJoan how well her suit fit and
(17:46):
to tell her how well she wasgetting on at college.
Oh, mrs Carter, I don't knowwhat I'd ever done without your
help.
The girls all like my clothesand they like me.
Oh, I just love you, mrs Carter, and I hope I can be just like
you someday.
I think it would be justwonderful being a minister's
wife.
Everyone loves you.
(18:06):
So Tony and Maria came throughthe snow to bring a beautiful
scarf of dainty handwork.
To say thank you for yourkindness, said Maria in her
broken English.
You've been like my sister andshe's stooped to kiss Joan's
hand.
And Tony added in the springcomes a little bambino, and if
it is a girl, we call her Joan.
(18:28):
Do you think the name is good?
It was Mr Carlton who stoppednext.
He came in stamping the snowfrom his boots.
Well, just stopped in to wishyou a merry Christmas.
We won't ask you to spendChristmas with us, figured.
Maybe you'd like to be alone.
Beans, this is your firstChristmas together in your new
home.
I just had the oil tank filledand left a bushel of apples on
(18:51):
the back step.
I don't know what we'd dowithout you in the past.
Mrs Carter, you've done a lotfor this community.
Why?
It seems like you've been aguiding star, like a candle set
in a window to show us poorfolks the way.
I reckon the pastor is out withold Mr Murray Figured he'd be
there.
Well, give him my greetings anddon't forget to count on us for
(19:15):
anything we can do.
It was almost midnight when Joanheard the car turn in the
driveway.
She rushed to the door andopened it to light the way for
Greg.
Well, darling, I'm home in timefor Christmas.
Has it been dreadfully lonely?
Has it been a terribly longevening for you?
I've missed you dear, but ourpeople have seen to it that it
(19:39):
was not long or lonely.
The house has been filled withthem.
And who could be lonely whenyou are surrounded by love and
kindness, when you belong to thewhole community?
Greg gathered her into his armsand carried her into the house.
Oh, greg, wouldn't it have beenterrible if I had married some
stuffed shirt of a polo playeror some rising young executive?
(20:01):
I love you, greg Carter, loveyou with all my heart and I'm
glad, glad, glad that I do.
I wouldn't change places withanyone in this whole wide world.
I'm going to write to my cousinRosalie and thank her again for
bringing us together.
It was God who brought ustogether, dear.
(20:22):
He had his eye on you all thetime because he knew you'd make
the perfect wife for the pastorof a little church in a little
town, a thousand miles fromnowhere.
The End.
Being a pastor's wife can be very challenging, and
she can be a great blessing toboth her husband and the
congregation, as well as her ownfamily, and so this story is
dedicated to our pastor's wivesout there.
So gather the family and enjoythis Christmas story Like a
(00:52):
candle in the window by MargaretE Sangster Jr.
Greg lifted her tenderly acrossthe threshold of the little
gray stone house and held hertightly in his arms.
Her clear blue eyes looked upinto his and then suddenly she
buried her head in the fold ofhis arm and sobbed out oh,
(01:15):
gregory Carter, I love you, loveyou with all my heart, but I
wish I didn't.
Well, mrs Carter, for a brideof two weeks, that is quite a
statement.
Would you mind telling me whyyou wish you didn't love your
husband?
All my life I've told myselfJoan don't ever marry a preacher
(01:36):
.
Marry a lawyer, a farmer, atailor, a baker, but don't ever
marry a preacher.
And here I am, married to you,the pastor of a church in a
little mountain town a thousandmiles from nowhere.
And I want a husband, a husbandall my own.
Any complaints so far?
(01:57):
Smiled, gregory, you have hadmy entire and undivided
attention for the past two weeksI thought we had quite a
honeymoon.
Joan snuggled her head into thespot between Greg's ear and his
collarbone.
I've loved every minute of thepast two weeks, but that is just
it.
For two weeks I have had awonderful husband who gave me
(02:19):
his undivided love and attention, but now for the rest of my
life, I must share you witheverybody, your whole
congregation and anyone whoneeds you.
I'm tired of your people.
They met us at the station anddrove us from one end of the
town to the other.
My hand aches from beingsqueezed.
(02:39):
I'm gummy from being kissed bywomen I've never seen before.
Probably they're looking at usright now staring through the
windows three or four of them inmy kitchen watching.
I feel as if we would live in aglass house for the rest of our
lives.
There was a creek somewhere inthe back of the house and
involuntarily Greg glanced backover his shoulder.
(03:01):
Joan's sobs stopped abruptly.
She dabbed at her eyes with ahandkerchief and called Come on
out, come out wherever you are.
The hall door opened and theystreamed in, laughing and
calling Welcome home.
The senior deacon, the juniordeacon and their wives and
children, the dorkess and thechoir.
(03:22):
They were all there and theyhad food pies, cakes and
sandwiches.
Greg went forward to greet themand they gathered around him.
They love Greg, thought Joan.
He is their pastor.
Oh, make me strong enough toaccept them.
And then suddenly she was angry.
Greg's my husband, he belongsto me.
(03:43):
It's our life and we're goingto live it.
They left, finally, and Joansank down into the living room
sofa.
The room was a mess dirty cupsand plates sticky with cake
frosting, half-eaten sandwichescurling up at the edges.
Greg said gently the women willcome back tomorrow.
They'll clean everything up,but I don't want them to come
(04:07):
back.
I want to wash my own dishesand clean my own house.
Greg laughed you were an onlychild, darling.
You've never learned to share.
But, greg, you'll never belongentirely to me.
I want a husband who goes towork at eight and comes home at
five, and between five and eightwill belong to me.
I'll always belong to you, dear.
(04:28):
We both belong to our HeavenlyFather and because we do, we
belong to each other.
You will find that love is likethe woodow's meal the more you
give, the more you have foryourself.
Life in this secluded littlecommunity is hard and dull and,
oh, my dear, we have so much togive.
Our lives must be like aguiding star, like a candle in a
(04:51):
window to show those who passby the way home.
And so they settled down, theyoung Carter's, gregory Carter
and his wife Joan, living indeedin a gold fishbowl in a small
mountain village, living in astone house separated from a
stone church by twenty paces ofsnowy lawn.
Greg preached fervently andhonestly from the pulpit.
(05:15):
He drove out into the countryto call on the sick parishioners
to perform marriage servicesand pray above opened graves.
Anne Joan, at home, did herbest to keep the parsonage
shining, to cook meals that werenourishing and edible and to
think according to the patternof her new life.
She had an endless stream ofcallers, somebody every day.
(05:39):
Mrs Judson, across the street,you say you were born in New
York City.
My, my, how you must miss thebright lights and all the goings
on.
Nothing but God's mountains tolook at here and Main Street and
Joan Woodmermer.
It's a charming little town.
That coach you wore to churchlast Sunday.
Honey, was it real mink ormuskrat Mink, joan Woodnod,
(06:03):
Daddy gave it to me when I was18.
Or Mrs Temney from around thecorner would drop in to help dry
the dishes and exclaim Landsakes dearie.
You don't use these fancydishes every day, I hope.
And Joan would answer yes, theywere wedding gifts and I like
to use them.
When Joan protested to herhusband that she was tired of
(06:25):
all the women giving her adviceand prying into her own personal
affairs, greg answered darling,the city you came from is made
up of many little islands and oneach island people live by and
to themselves.
But it's different when youlive in a small town.
It's all one island and yourcommon property.
When they had been married forone month, joan thought it
(06:48):
called for a celebration andbaked a pie Her very first.
It was lemon meringue and itwas beautiful.
That evening she set the tablewith her best china and silver.
She gathered flowers and placedthem in the center of the table
with a tall candle at eitherend.
The table was beautiful and thedinner was delicious.
(07:09):
Joan was thinking how wonderfulto have an evening all to
ourselves.
She had just cleared the platesaway and was going for her
triumph for the lemon meringuepie to set before her husband
when there was a knock at thedoor.
Answering, greg heard goodevening, are you a minister,
please?
I am Tony and this is Maria.
(07:30):
We'd like to get married.
Please Get married.
Asked Greg.
Are you alone?
Where are your families?
Oh, please, we have no families.
You see, I come five years agofrom Italy.
All the time I make these shoes.
Every day I make a shoes, makea shoes and save up my money
Till at last I have enough tobring Maria.
(07:52):
She is time waiting in the oldcountry, and now today she comes
.
I got a z-house ready.
Oh, we are very happy, and nowwe'd like to get married, please
.
We have no family in thiscountry.
No mama, no papa, no brother,no sister, just Maria and Tony,
that's all.
(08:12):
And now we'd like to getmarried.
Too bad, no family, but withflowers on the table and candles
just alike, nice wedding.
Greg hesitated, but if Maria hasjust come, she does not speak
English, she will not understandthe ceremony.
Oh, no matter, answered Tony.
You tell him me, I tell himMaria, we do.
Okay.
And so, with Joan as witness,the service proceeded, with Tony
(08:36):
translating each vow carefully,and when, at last, greg had
pronounced them, man and wifeTony smiled at Joan and said
hopefully, maybe you be like asister to Maria.
She has only me, tony.
No mama, no sister in thiscountry.
And suddenly Joan rememberedthe lemon meringue pie.
Four of the very best plateswere placed on the table and the
(08:59):
china cups were filled withsteaming chocolate, and the pie
that was baked for just twobecame a wedding feast for four.
Joan did try to be like asister to Maria.
Maria was a beautiful girl,gracious and charming, and Joan
enjoyed taking her to thevillage market and helping her a
bit to master the new language.
She made it a point to see thatshe met the other young women
(09:22):
in the congregation and severaltimes Tony and Maria were dinner
guests at the parsonage.
But Joan still found it veryhard to accept Greg's people.
Why can't we ever have a littletime to ourselves?
Why must the house always befilled with your people, she
demanded of Greg.
They aren't my people, darling.
He answered they are God'speople, the sheep of his pasture
(09:46):
, and it was God who sent ushere to be the shepherd of his
flock.
And Joan had choked back thetears as she answered.
Maybe he sent you.
Oh, if only we had a home, areal home that was all ours.
Why must we share everythingwith your people?
Because, dear, I am theirpastor and you are their
pastor's wife.
Where is ours must be theirstoo.
(10:10):
The day Greg had promised totake Joan's shopping in the city
, 60 miles away.
Just as they were ready toleave, nash Simpson had come in
and said his oldest boy wasdetermined to leave home.
That with the summer, plantingand all, they needed him
desperately.
And besides, what would a boyhis age do in the big city?
Wouldn't Greg come over andtalk to him?
(10:32):
And Greg had gone and talkeduntil it was too late to make
the shopping trip.
But he had persuaded the boy tostay and help his father until
the harvest was over and hadpromised that he would go with
him in the fall to help him findwork and a place to live in the
city if he still wanted to go.
The night Joan's sister and herhusband had stopped to visit
(10:53):
them on their way home from abusiness trip.
They were just sitting down todinner when the doctor called
Silas Wothers was badly hurt,nearly cut his leg off with a
scythe.
When the pastor drive out withthe doctor and Greg had gone and
the sister had wondered howJoan managed never being able to
depend on having her husband athome, joan had lifted her chin
(11:15):
a bit and said oh, that is partof being a pastor's wife, but
she had wondered herself how shestood it.
When Mr Carlton, the onlywealthy member of the
congregation, gave the church anew organ, joan was the only one
who could play it.
So it was Joan who played forthe choir, and this brought
responsibilities and more peoplemaking demands of her, though
(11:37):
she loved the music and devotedmuch time to planning the
numbers for each service.
Sarah Bradley had finished highschool and was to go into the
state college for the fall term.
She appeared at Joan's door onemorning with the catalog under
her arm.
Oh, mrs Carter, won't you helpme choose my clothes?
I want to look nice as theother girls at school.
(11:59):
If you would just help me.
You always look so nice, andJoan had spent the morning with
her until the order was made adress for parties, a neat suit
for church, skirts and blousesand sweaters for school, and
Joan had contributed some littlescarves and a dainty
handkerchief herself.
Sarah went home with a lightheart, though Joan's ironing was
(12:20):
still undone.
Mrs Carlton was here today.
Joan announced at dinner a weekbefore Thanksgiving she says we
must have Thanksgiving with them.
We must go there directly afterthe service.
She paused and then but we'renot going, greg, I want to have
this Thanksgiving alone with you.
It will be our firstThanksgiving together, our last
(12:43):
as bride and groom, and I wantto cook our dinner.
I want to serve it on my owndishes to my husband.
Mr Carlton is our greatestbenefactor, said Greg.
He's also our best friend.
It was he, you know, who hadthe oil burner put in this
parsnitch.
He gave the money for the organ.
We'll have to go to his housefor Thanksgiving, darling.
(13:05):
They have extended theinvitation to show their
friendship and love for us All.
Right, greg Carter, you may goand eat Thanksgiving with the
Carltons, but I am staying home.
I married you, not yourcongregation.
It's you I love, not all yourpeople.
And so Greg told his seniordeacon that Joan was not feeling
(13:25):
well, that they would have todecline the invitation.
But somehow the supper was notthe success Joan had anticipated
.
And then, suddenly, it was themorning of Christmas Eve and the
sky was leaden gray.
By noon it was snowing and bylate afternoon a blizzard was
howling.
And Mr Carlton's gift, the oilburner wasn't working the way it
(13:47):
should.
But in spite of the cold, joanhad decorated the room with the
evergreen and holly berries Greghad brought in, and a bright
little Christmas tree stood inthe corner near the window.
Oh, greg.
Joan said Christmas is awonderful time.
And then the telephone rang.
Darling said Greg, as hereturned from the telephone, you
(14:09):
remember old Mr Murray.
He's taken a turn for the worse.
He may not live the night out.
I must go to him Through thisblizzard, joan asked.
Greg nodded and leave me aloneon Christmas Eve.
You'll be all right, darling.
Remember we have a lifetimeahead of us to spend Christmas
together and this is perhaps thelast one on this earth for Mr
(14:32):
Murray.
I must do what I can for him,dear, all right, but this is the
last Christmas I'm spendinghere.
I'm going home to my family inNew York.
How can anybody be happy,married to an impersonal
minister who belongs toeverybody but not his wife?
So Greg kissed her, held hertightly for a moment and then
(14:52):
started out in his small,elderly car.
And as the white pencils ofsnow broke against his
windshield, he prayed for a safejourney that he might bring
strength and courage and faithto Mr Murray, for Joan's
protection and for theirhappiness.
And Joan pressed her nose tothe windowpane and tried to see
across a white world.
(15:13):
Oh, greg, greg, you are so fineand good, but I want you all to
myself.
And as she looked, she saw alight coming toward her through
the storm.
She watched until a knocksounded at the door Come in.
She called and turned to see MrsTenney.
She had come with a loaf offreshly-baked bread, warm and
(15:34):
fragrant.
Oh, mrs Tenney, you camethrough the storm to bring this
to us.
My dear, I had to come.
It's Christmas Eve and I had tocome and tell you how much you
have done for me during the year.
I hope you haven't minded mecoming in so often, just in time
to dry your dishes Somehow, asI have touched those sparkling
(15:56):
glasses and dainty cups.
It has made me want to keep myhands and heart clean and
shining like them.
It's made me realize that lifeisn't all just work and hardship
.
There is beauty all around usif we just look for it.
You can't know what has meantto me to come to your parsonage
here so spotless and pretty.
This isn't much, but I hopeyou'll enjoy it and know how
(16:19):
much we love you.
As Joan stood holding the warmloaf of bread, tears filled her
eyes, but she wiped them quicklyas a voice called out Anybody
home.
It was Mrs Judson, from acrossthe street, all alone.
I thought as much.
I knew about old Mr Murray andI figured the pastor would be
(16:40):
out there with him.
Taint, exactly nice to spendChristmas Eve alone.
So I just thought I'd run overfor a few minutes.
My, your house looks rightChristmas-y.
But then this house alwayslooks just the way a pastor's
home should look Need as a pin,flowers here and there for a bit
of cheer and comfortable chairsjust where they're needed most.
(17:01):
I hope I haven't been a botherto you, but it always just sets
my day outright to run over forjust a minute or two.
And I've said more than once,it's no wonder our pastor is
such a success, always full ofcourage and cheer, with such a
home to come to when his work isover and your clothes seem to
might extravagant at first.
(17:22):
But more men had come home iftheir wives kept themselves
prettied up and looked somethingworth coming home to.
Oh yes, I've said many times,says I.
Our pastor's wife does her partand does it well.
My, I might near forget.
Here's a pint of my strawberrypreserves.
I hope you'll like them.
Sarah Bradley stopped by to showJoan how well her suit fit and
(17:46):
to tell her how well she wasgetting on at college.
Oh, mrs Carter, I don't knowwhat I'd ever done without your
help.
The girls all like my clothesand they like me.
Oh, I just love you, mrs Carter, and I hope I can be just like
you someday.
I think it would be justwonderful being a minister's
wife.
Everyone loves you.
(18:06):
So Tony and Maria came throughthe snow to bring a beautiful
scarf of dainty handwork.
To say thank you for yourkindness, said Maria in her
broken English.
You've been like my sister andshe's stooped to kiss Joan's
hand.
And Tony added in the springcomes a little bambino, and if
it is a girl, we call her Joan.
(18:28):
Do you think the name is good?
It was Mr Carlton who stoppednext.
He came in stamping the snowfrom his boots.
Well, just stopped in to wishyou a merry Christmas.
We won't ask you to spendChristmas with us, figured.
Maybe you'd like to be alone.
Beans, this is your firstChristmas together in your new
home.
I just had the oil tank filledand left a bushel of apples on
(18:51):
the back step.
I don't know what we'd dowithout you in the past.
Mrs Carter, you've done a lotfor this community.
Why?
It seems like you've been aguiding star, like a candle set
in a window to show us poorfolks the way.
I reckon the pastor is out withold Mr Murray Figured he'd be
there.
Well, give him my greetings anddon't forget to count on us for
(19:15):
anything we can do.
It was almost midnight when Joanheard the car turn in the
driveway.
She rushed to the door andopened it to light the way for
Greg.
Well, darling, I'm home in timefor Christmas.
Has it been dreadfully lonely?
Has it been a terribly longevening for you?
I've missed you dear, but ourpeople have seen to it that it
(19:39):
was not long or lonely.
The house has been filled withthem.
And who could be lonely whenyou are surrounded by love and
kindness, when you belong to thewhole community?
Greg gathered her into his armsand carried her into the house.
Oh, greg, wouldn't it have beenterrible if I had married some
stuffed shirt of a polo playeror some rising young executive?
(20:01):
I love you, greg Carter, loveyou with all my heart and I'm
glad, glad, glad that I do.
I wouldn't change places withanyone in this whole wide world.
I'm going to write to my cousinRosalie and thank her again for
bringing us together.
It was God who brought ustogether, dear.
(20:22):
He had his eye on you all thetime because he knew you'd make
the perfect wife for the pastorof a little church in a little
town, a thousand miles fromnowhere.
The End.
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