The Legend of the Candle and the Small Stranger

The Legend of the Candle and the Small Stranger


One Christmas Eve, in medieval times, a lonely dressmaker
sat sewing by the light of a candle in her window. Suddenly
there was a knock at the door. She opened it to find a
small boy standing quietly in the dark. "I am lost and very
cold," he said. "I saw the candle in your window and
thought perhaps you would let me in to rest."

The poor dressmaker worried. If she took him in she might
not have time to finish her work. But her kind heart won
out. She made a bed for the boy by the hearth, and while he
rested he brought him broth. After the boy had eaten, he
thanked the woman and said he must be on his way.

The dressmaker bade the little stranger farewell and
returned to her work. Then she saw the miracle. All her
dresses were beautifully finished!!! The dressmaker ran
outside to catch the child. To the woman's surprise, he
left no footprints in the snow. Then she knew. Her visitor
had been the Christ Child.

Thus, through centuries, the custom of burning candles on
Christmas Eve to welcome all strangers.