It is not only the little children who stop everything else to listen when they hear the magic words "Once upon a time." Everyone likes a story. And if it is a Christmas story, so much the better.
Year after year, one of the favorite Christmas Eve broadcasts is Charles Dickens' famous story, A Christmas Carol, with Scrooge and Tiny time and the merry ending, "God bless us, every one!" And how often the children gather round to hear Kate Douglas Wiggins' talks of The Birds' Christmas Carol or the jingle that begins, "'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house. . ." There are stories of Santa Claus and of Christmas fairies; stories from history like Henry van Dyke's The First Christmas Tree; stories of tender human affection like The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry.
But none is quite so moving as the story which is told in our New Testament. "And it came to pass. . ." As Luke tells his wonderful tale, we see weary pilgrims seeking lodging in a Judean town; a baby born in a cave with the animals and laid in a feed-box. There are shepherds and angels and a burst of heavenly music. "Now in the dos of Herod the king. . ." In Matthew's account there are wise men following a star, gifts as to a crown prince, and a futile plot to end the baby's life. It is a story we never tire of hearing.
Prayer: Thank you, heavenly Father, for doing something so wonderful that the story must be told again and again.
Reprinted from St. Mark Presbyterian's 1985 Thoughts on Advent by the author who wishes to remain anonymous.
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