(mkf) More than 1,000 persons joined for the final "Ten minutes by the crib" in Schoenstatt, Germany, on January 9th, 2000. Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary from the various houses in Schoenstatt accompanied traditional Christmas songs with flutes, guitars, violins, and clarinet; they also sang some choir songs. Since Christmas, 10,000 or so persons from the local area came to see the crib and experienced Christmas in an atmosphere marked by joy and openness. The simple and uncomplicated way of sharing faith, joy and songs opens many hearts for Jesus; young families and children appreciate the way how children are welcome and invited to participate. One Schoenstatt Sister said: "This is Schoenstatt's Christmas gift for Vallendar."

When on January 9th, 2000, around 4:00 pm the last tunes of "Silent Night" resounded in the adoration church, many Schoenstatt Sisters radiated with joy about so many persons who had accepted this Christmas gift. A gift not only for the inhabitants of Vallendar, who came in great numbers, but also for people from nearby towns, as well as from Poland, USA, Brazil, Peru, the Philippines, and Mexico.

Since the "Crib Singing" started on December 26, 820 litters of Christmas tea and 15 car loads of cookies were served in the former barn. Hundreds of Christmas songs have been song, more than 30 prayer services have been led, and thousands of stars brought to the crib, filled with the names of loved ones to be remembered in Schoenstatt. "If the sisters really want to pray for all those we wrote to the stars, they'll sure be busy until next Christmas," one participant said. The adoration sisters feel responsible for this part of the Christmas gift. Each of the stars will be placed before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and then put to the foundation of the sisters' shrine, where they pray for all those who entrust themselves and their loved ones to the intercession of Father Kentenich and their prayer.

"Everybody May Come to You"

Already 45 minutes before 3:00 pm, when the last crib singing was scheduled to start, there was no free seat left in the adoration church. The big parking place by the Father Kentenich House is far too small - so lawn and lanes around the houses of Mount Schoenstatt are turned into improvised parking places. Those who come speak about the "bad traffic jam on the way to Mount Schoenstatt" - minivans and cars arrive in stop and go mode. Several drivers just joined the queue, curios to find out where all these people went.

Already three days ago, on January 6th, the "extended crib singing" with a choir of Schoenstatt sisters had attracted more than 800 persons from all generations - among them a group of 80 - 90year olds from Koblenz who had hired a bus to be part of this event. On this Sunday, however, "more than ever" came: children, young families, youth, older persons. A 17-year-old young man had this event as his birthday party and invited all of his friends to come along.

A kid carried the "light from Bethlehem" and placed it by the altar, accompanied by children carrying stars. As light of hope and peace, the light from Bethlehem formed an essential part of this year's crib singing.

After the procession with the light from Bethlehem, the smaller children sat down by the sisters' choir, making a colorful and hopeful picture with their yellow and red stars, little instruments and radiant eyes. "Mom, do we go to church again!? A young mother shared that her little ones had bugged her with this question each day since they had been in Schoenstatt on Christmas. "And except for one day we made it here each day!" Some children are real experts - showing the other ones where to get the instruments and where to go to see all the beautiful details of the crib. Some also know exactly which songs are sung and enjoy to also sing through the microphone.

Many visitors take a sticker with the signet of the Holy Year as a reminder, that Jesus wants to come with them and share their every day life.

Many families came for a whole day, taking part in so called "crib trips", organized by Schoenstatt Mothers. The highlight of such a day is the play performed by the children. Schoenstatt Mothers and League members from Trier, Aschaffenburg, Aachen, Limburg and other towns had organized busses to invite young mothers and families.

Christmas is the feast of love and sharing. In several poor countries, like Ecuador, it is a self understood part of Schoenstatt Christmas, to bring baskets with foods to the poor and thus to share the light and hope of Christmas and make the covenant of love concrete. The "baskets" shared in Schoenstatt, Germany, are different and yet the same. It is sharing joy and hope by inviting people to find a beautiful place by sharing a crib, songs, prayers, faith, stars, the light from Bethlehem, and by giving time for a talk with Christmas tea and cookies.

When saying good bye, one person asked whether this would take place again for next Christmas. Glad about the positive response, he added: "You know, today was my only Christmas."