Christmas Stories

– The Christmas Star –

Christmas Star

Christmas Stories remind us that Read-Aloud Storytime is an enchanted hour for you and your family under the Light of a Christmas Star.

I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas season reading with your love-adores surrounding you. My most recent blog of lists of Christmas stories and online sites for classic Christmas stories are still available.

Christmas Story Memory

I’d like to retell one of my own favorite Christmas stories.

At Christmastime we were in Florida visiting my Uncle Jack and Aunt Frannie. He was playing his ukulele and began a familiar Christmas carol, We Three Kings of Orient Are. But he stopped, saying, “You know, this was one of Daddy and Mama’s favorite carols… because they had a Christmas story that goes with it… even though the story itself didn’t take place at Christmastime.” He looked at our wondering faces and told us the long ago story of my grandparents. And now, I share it with you.

New Life

My grandparents, Albert and Mayme, were married in 1916 and moved into their very tiny home in northern Michigan, where they owned farmland. The snow had started falling in early November and by January the house was buried. It was there, in the last days of January 1917, that my father, Michael, was born. It was a long winter.

Snow

Albert built a tunnel through the snow from the house to the barn, and he kept both roofs safe by climbing up into the loft, clambering out the small window, and shoveling off the snow. They cooked and heated the house with the woodstove, and once fired up, it kept them comfortable. Baby Michael spent his first three months of life in their little cocoon, cherished for his every movement, smile and gurgle.

Spring

Spring followed as the seasons do, though the snow took its time melting away. It was mid-May before Albert could harness the horse to the wagon to get into town. Mayme was eagerly looking forward to the trip, to be in town, to see and talk to people, to buy supplies, as well as fabrics for new curtains and clothes. She had been dreaming and making lists for their household and their darling baby. And she wanted to introduce little Michael to everyone they would meet.

Morning Chores

Mayme spent the morning getting the chores done and finished putting in the new storage shelves and cupboard Albert had built. After noon, she was eager to go. But Albert had to stay behind to finish the fencing. Mayme didn’t want to go without him, but she didn’t want to wait another minute! She bundled baby Michael, tied him next to her on the buckboard bench, took the reins, and took off!

To Market, To Market! Jiggety Jig!

It was a beautifully perfect afternoon, the apple trees were blossoming, and the bees filled the fields and meadows, buzzing through the tall grasses from flower to flower. Being in town felt like an extravagance in the abundance of people to greet and introduce the baby. And the store overflowed with more than everything Mayme had wished. She lost track of the time as she poured over her list and piled high the countertop.

As all her items were carried out to the wagon, her head was spinning. She put baby Michael on the seat and directed the shopkeeper and his helpers as to where to place every item to keep it from sliding about on the return trip home.

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jog!

The afternoon was swiftly disappearing as Mayme made her way home. Her head was filled with the pleasures of her shopping trip. But the horse complained at the new weight it was pulling, and Mayme had everything she could do to keep the wagon on the grassy road.

She finally pulled in front of their barn and hopped down into Albert’s waiting arms. Pointing to the packages on the wagon, she bubbled with joy and delight at showing off her purchases.

Albert smiled with her, but he stopped. He went to the front of the wagon.

“Mayme,” he looked at her curiously. “Where’s the baby? Where’s Michael?”

Upside Down

The world tipped upside down! Mayme spun into a whirling dervish, trying to retrace her every movement with the baby – with all the commotion – all the purchases – with the challenge of driving the wagon. “Where is Michael?” she cried. “What happened? Oh, dear God in Heaven! Did I tie him in? Oh no!”

Albert was already climbing up onto the wagon seat and he pulled her up too. “We’ll find him, Mayme.” He spoke with quiet determination. “We will find him.”

The Christmas Star

Twilight was falling. All was still. The evening star appeared in the west, hovering over the road.

Mayme was weeping. Bawling. “Oh, what have I done? Dear God! Oh God! Please help us find our baby!”

Albert sat in a quiet stillness, clicking at the horse, urging him on. He spoke calmly. “Mayme, God is watching over our baby boy. We have to believe that. Michael is fine.” He pointed to the star. “Look, it’s the Star of Bethlehem, that led the three Kings to the baby Jesus in the manager. It’s the same star, Mayme.”

She snuffled and covered her face.

“Mayme, that star is leading us to our baby.” He quietly sang the Christmas carol:

Star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright.
Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.

Christmas Star LIGHT

Mayme clasped her hands in prayer and gazed at the star gleaming in the violet sky. But something else caught her eye. Everything was so still… yet… just ahead… there… in the bend of the road… under the star… the grasses were moving… rustling as if in a breeze… the grasses… shining in the starlight.

Albert stopped the horse, and Mayme leaped off the wagon, tearing into the roadside brambles. And there, in the tall green and golden grasses was baby Michael! Perfectly fine. So fine!

Albert lay down beside the baby and Mayme lay on the other side, smiling through their grateful tears… smiling at their answered prayer… smiling with their beautiful baby, smiling at the beautiful star.

We three kings of orient are,
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain,
Moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright.
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.

LIGHT ON!

If you like my LIGHT stories,

you will love my books, especially to Read-Aloud!