In the hands of a master blacksmith

As the sun went down in Springville last Friday evening, a series of wooden kiosks lit up with twinkling white lights. The tall evergreen tree next to the Fire Station burst into color — blues, purples, and reds — and a welcoming fire was started in an outdoors pit at the Kristkindlemarkt, where people gathered to warm their hands.

The Springville Kristkindlemarkt was fashioned after the “Christkindlemarkt” which first began in Eastern Europe around the 1400’s. The name means “Christ Child market.” Springville’s version was inspired by a local man who wanted to do something special for the community. He envisioned a Christmas marketplace to showcase the talents of local artisans and invested much time and energy to make it a reality.

One corner of the marketplace drew a small crowd of people of all ages. A skilled blacksmith stood in front of a glowing forge, holding a pair of huge tongs between his knees to grip a bar of molten steel. He told his captivated audience that the metal had to be heated carefully, close to 2,000 degrees! Too hot and it would be soft and difficult to work or shape… too cold and the metal would not be “pliable” enough.  

In one hand, he held various chisels and in the other, a heavy hammer. With powerful blows, he struck the chisel, carving lines and making indentations into the red hot metal. Each blow caused a shower of sparks to fly, making the spectators take a step or two backwards. Periodically the steel creation would be cast into a bucket of water creating a cloud of steam. After repeating this process many times, a plain rectangular rod was turned into an antique church key which looked like an old elf with a long pointed cap! Only a skilled craftsman could have seen an elf hiding in that bar of steel!

The past came before my eyes as I watched him work. The blows of the hammer, the heat of the fire, the cold water...it seemed like I have been through those very things as God, the Master Blacksmith, uses trials, disappointments and personal losses to melt me, change my heart and to begin shaping my character into something new.

I had to ask him to forgive me for protesting and grumbling, like the sparks that flew upward when the metal was struck. There have been times when I’ve tried to jump out of his hands; but he has held on with his powerful grip and continued to work on me, lovingly shaping me into the image of his son, Jesus. Impossible? Nothing, dear reader, is too hard for God!

“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.’” — Luke 1:30-31 NIV

“‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’

The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.’

‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered, ‘May it be to me as you have said.’ Then the angel left her.” — Luke 1:35-38 NIV


You can read more at Judy’s blog, goodnewswithjudy.blogspot.com.