THE PRISONERS' GIFT

Enemy combatants

In a war across the globe

Transported to and imprisoned in

A land so far from home.

Detained behind barbed wire

But warm and fully fed

They yearned for home and family

While grieving for their dead.

Allowed to work on area farms

The prairie brought them peace

Their strong arms worked to till the soil

Until the raging battles ceased.

As holidays approached in ‘44

And winter nights were long

A small nativity scene was fashioned

And darkness filled with German song.

Commander Lobdall was impressed

By the sight of the small nativity

And requested a larger scene for ‘45

To share with the whole community.

Eduard Kaib and five other men

Took on this mission of peace and harmony,

Using earnings from their labors       

To construct a complete nativity.

Creating half size statues

In their workshop late at night,

Molding sheep and shepherds, kings and camels

Helped the prisoners’ loneliness take flight.

Fashioning frames from wood and wire

Which they covered with concrete,

Using Plaster of Paris to animate

The faces, hands and feet.

Using their God-given talents

To create Joseph, Mary and the Babe,

They placed a halo round His head

To show He came to save.

By November of that very year

It was ready to display.

Thousands came to see the scene

And the baby lying in the hay.

And so it’s been for each year since

Bringing tidings of great joy to all men.

A gift from lonely prisoners—

Enemies who became friends.

It remains a symbol of the message

That was brought down to the earth

In that tiny little stable

On the night of our Savior’s birth.

For just like the three Wise Men

That journeyed from afar,

These strangers came bearing gifts

That only they could share.

And so it proves no matter where we live

Or the language that we speak,

There can be peace, goodwill toward men,

That angelic promise that we seek.

Merry Christmas!

Jean

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