The church is visible from my Grandparent’s picture window in the living room, and through the seasons, you can see the church sitting on the hill mostly quiet. Yet there are days when the people of Salem come together to remember our past. The bell tolls. There is ample food, and the older generations tell stories.

This year’s letter speaks of the recently restored bell tower and bell. Mr. Miller writes of the inscription– “Komm Komm bet an.” (He translates it Come come pray on. I would interpret it as simply “Come. Come pray.” Maybe my German readers can offer insight? My German certainly is not perfect, and the inscription doesn’t appear to be perfect either.) The words are simple, and their reminder is also simple. And yet, as the bell tolls for this year’s celebration, I will once again be absent, but the calling is clear…the reminder is clear.

No matter where I am or what I am doing, my ties to the past can never be severed. My German ancestors live on– the people of Salem live on– reminding us of our roots. Perhaps these memories…this heritage… is why I feel such a strong attachment to Germany. Perhaps this is why I am so comfortable there. It is my home in more ways than one. Sure, things have changed, but the beginning of it all is still the same. On the 22nd, many will gather to remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus just as our ancestors had done through the years.

The fact that the church is still standing and vibrant is a constant reminder to all those around of the perseverance of our ancestors…and our friends. Many people, including members of my own family, have worked hard to restore and preserver the church, and I hope the church stands and the bell tolls for another 110 years.

Froehe Weihnachten Salem.