Tis the season for gift giving so I got the brilliant idea to do just that. Today’s blog is my gift to you, the reader. It’s not wrapped. I hope you don’t mind. 🙂
I was at a craft fair this fall when a young lady came up to my table and pointed at a pile of Nature’s Christmas Story books. “We used to read our children The Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve just before bedtime. But now we switched our ritual. Instead of reading The Night Before Christmas we read Nature’s Christmas Story”.
“It’s a little more appropriate,” I replied.
“Yes”, she answered. “It reveals the true meaning of Christmas and it reminds the children that Santa is not the most important thing happening that night.”
So, my Christmas gift to you the reader is to share with you the dialog from my book Nature’s Christmas Story. The only thing missing will be the beautiful illustrations by my awesome artist Janine Ringdahl Schmidt.
But since this blog is on my website you simply have to order a book and you’ll be ready for next Christmas with both the dialog and the illustrations.
I hope you enjoy the read and feel free to share this story with a little munchkin this Christmas Eve.
Nature’s Christmas Story
A strong wind blew across the cold, barren snow-covered land of northern Alaska. The winds carried snow in white clouds across the flat countryside.
Huddled in small groups behind a rocky outcrop are many animals of this cold land.
The shaggy muck ox said, “I have never seen a star so large and so bright.”
A small, furry lemming screams, “It is so bright is even lights up my deepest snow tunnel.”
“I wonder where the star has come from?” asked the Arctic hare.
“Haven’t you heard the news?” questioned the Arctic fox. “The star announces the birth of a baby in Bethlehem. He is a king whom they say will save the world.”
“Gee, what a wonderful thing to do,” said the ptarmigan as she fluffed her feathers to keep out the cold. “Wouldn’t it be nice to give the newborn baby a gift?”
“Oh yes!” replied all of the animals as if in one voice.
“But it would have to be a very special gift for such a special baby,” said the ermine.
“I will gladly share my reindeer moss with him,” stated the musk ox.
“I have some stored berries that are very tasty,” exclaimed the lemming.
“No, no,” replied the ermine. “We must give something more than moss or berries. Think of something that would be a worthy gift for a king – a king who is going to save the world.”
In small groups they tried to decide what gift should be given to the newborn babe.
No one was able to come up with an idea for the perfect gift.
Finally, the fox shouted, “We do not seem to be getting anywhere. I suggest that we discuss our problem with the Arctic Angel. Surely an angel can help us!”
“That’s a great idea,” cheered the ptarmigan. “An angel will know what gift we should give.”
The Arctic Angel had been sent by God to this cold north-country to guide and protect all of the life that lived there.
The angel lived only a few miles from the rock outcrop in an ice castle that rose majestically into the cold, windy darkness.
The musk ox broke a trail through the drifting snow, and the other animals followed.
The Arctic Angel greeted them warmly. Arc-y (the angel’s nickname) thought it was a wonderful idea to present a gift to Baby Jesus.”
“I agree with Mr. Ermine,” Arc-y said. “The gift should indeed be special.”
“But we have discussed it at great length and no one can agree on what the gift should be,” replied the ermine.
Arc-y spoke. “The Baby Jesus is giving himself to the world. Wouldn’t it be fitting for each of you to give yourself to Baby Jesus?”
For just a moment the group of animals was stunned. What a natural way to return the love that the Baby was giving them. Why hadn’t they thought of that?
“Wait a minute!” cried the ermine. “How will we present such a gift to the newborn Babe?”
Arc-y said, “Choose several members from your group to bring the message of your gift to the Christ Child.”
A vote was taken and the ermine, fox, Arctic hare and ptarmigan were chosen to bring the news of their gift to Bethlehem.
The four messengers left for the distant Bethlehem, and the remaining animals returned home. They retired to their beds for welcome rests after the exciting day.
As the animals slept. Arc-y gift-wrapped each of the sleeping animals in a blanket of newly fallen snow.
Meanwhile, the four messengers made the long journey to Bethlehem. The star that marked the manger site grew brighter and brighter. The animals became very excited. Soon the stable was in view.
As the four messengers traveled through the dark night, their journey almost over, the Arctic hare screamed in surprise, “Why, look at us! We have changed color.”
“We have beautiful new coats,” cried the ermine.
“They are so white that, even in the darkness, we can be seen,” said the ptarmigan.
“A gift from the Arctic Angel, no doubt.” murmured the wise Arctic fox. “Arc-y wanted us looking our best as we delivered our gift to the special child.”
The four messengers did indeed look their best. The ptarmigan’s feathers were dazzling white. The dull brown and tan fur of the remaining three messengers had also been changed into the purest white.
“Let us deliver the ‘perfect’ gift to the Christ Child,” said the fox. So, in their new white dress, the four messengers proudly presented their gift to the Christ Child…… themselves.
Wise scientists believe that some northern animals change to white each fall in order to adapt or adjust to the approaching winter. How surprised they would be if they were to discover the real reason.
Each year, as the Christ Child’s birthday approaches the ermine, Arctic fox, Arctic hare, and ptarmigan shed their coats of browns and tans and become clothed in white. The perfect gift led to that color change so long ago. For more than two thousand years, this annual change has reminded us of the most important gift we can give the Christ Child….. ourselves.
Merry Christmas! 🙂
