A Place of Light
A Children’s Fable
By Joni Woelfel, copyright 2009
However, the story is universal in that it speaks for the uniqueness of each family that celebrates Christmas with the loss of a loved one in their midst. May this ‘read aloud’ fable inspire each family to discover and remember the most important things---and to create and share their own stories and memories for generations to come.)
I.
“You gave me room when I was in distress…” -Psalm 4:1
It was past midnight, the night before Christmas, and everyone in the household was sound asleep. The brass-framed mirrors reflected the little white twinkle lights on the tree in the parlor and all was still. Tic-tock, tic-tock went the clock, rhythmically marking the passage of time.
Around the room, a menagerie of wooden and stuffed animals kept guard over the stack of festively wrapped presents. A sudden shudder of icy wind blasted the house, named Annie---and she creaked gently as she weathered yet another blustery winter storm, like a mighty ship.
A melodious, barely-discernible voice spoke softly from the top of the Christmas tree. “They’ve forgotten the most important thing,” the Christmas angel whispered, her golden tresses and luminous wings glinting in the glowing light.
Nearby yawning, Zeke, the wooden toy zebra spoke up, gingerly moving his stiff joints. “Waking up is not all that easy, once you get old like me,” he said. His companion, Rastus, the giraffe who was sitting beside him on the shelf replied, “Well, even so, we’re still lucky we get to come alive once a year on Christmas Eve. I wonder what all has happened since last year?”
Appearing distressed, Gomer, the carved wooden lion exchanged glances with Esmeralda, the angel fairy from the top of the tree. “You don’t want to know…” he said.
Abruptly coming fully awake, Zeke and Rastus asked, “What do you mean? There’s not someone missing, is there?” Stricken, they hopped off their shelf and began reading the name tags on all the presents. Monk, the furry black and white toy skunk squeaked from a book shelf, “No use searching. You won’t find any gifts for the little boy. There are none, b-b-because he died.”
There was a sharp intake of breath as Nubbs, the mottled brown velvet teddy bear began crying. “Ohhhh no, it can’t be. It’s so sad…” Gabriel, the magnificent leopard, said in a wise, noble voice from where he lay sprawled on top of the television, “it’s been a hard time for the family---but they still believe, way deep down in secret places.”
II.
From its position on the fire place mantle draped in tasseled green brocade, the musical snow globe wound itself and the poignant melody Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas chimed clearly into the night while the snowflakes within it stirred themselves, falling gently upon a scenic Father Christmas and his reindeer.
Some of the animals were sniffling. Gabriel said kindly, “Don’t cry. You, more than any know that magic exists beyond this world. Take heart, you know where the little boy is.”
“…but the family doesn’t know exactly, because they haven’t been there yet, and it’s hard believing without seeing,” stammered Monk.
“That’s true, but we all know it’s just a matter of time and they will one day be together again and know the fullness of all mysteries.”
“Well,” said Zeke, “it sure is sad it has to be like this for now.” Everyone nodded compassionately with gladness that sorrow is not forever.
From a balcony ledge above the leather sofa, another voice spoke. It was Mrs. Plumpette, the crystal penguin mother watching over her baby chick, Tweak. They sat on a silver-rimmed, glitter-frosted plate, nestling a tiny, silver candle shaped like an egg that had the word love inscribed on it. Blinking benevolently, she observed, “They forgot the most important thing again.”
“I know,” said Esmeralda, the angel fairy in exasperation from atop the tree.
“That’s what I keep trying to tell you all.”
The other animals surveyed the room. “Meoowww,” said another new voice from his place under the arched column. “I’m the last one awake again.”
“As usual,” groaned the others rolling their eyes. Stripe, the mischievous black and white, wooden striped cat with red boots, matching collar and green eyes bounded down from his place under the stained glass window. “Hmmm, you’re right,” he said wiggling his whiskers in dismay, “It’s not here---same as last year and the year before that!”
Gabriel advised patiently, “It’s not for us to judge. Sometimes too much heartache prevents people from remembering it.”
“That’s right,” Mrs. Plumpette added mysteriously, “sometimes they need help letting go of things too burdensome for them so there is room for…” She paused as Tweak interrupted, wiping his nose and chirping, “But mama, the little boy is gone. He’s not coming back. I miss him so…”
Mrs. Plumpette drew Tweak close, where he peered out from beneath her downy feathers. “Hush,” she said. “Perhaps we can think of a way to comfort ourselves and the family---and to remind them of the important thing they have forgotten to put out for Christmas.”
III.
Everyone started talking at once.
“We can’t,” one said.
“Yes, we can,” said another.
“It would be impossible,” another said.
“We’ve not enough time or magic,” said yet another.
Finally Gabriel urged, “We must try.”
“But we’ve nothing to make it from,” Stripe pointed out, feeling it was his duty to be realistic.
“I have an idea,” Gabriel said as they gathered around to hear what he had to say. When he concluded, a hush fell over the toy animals as they thoughtfully considered the sacrifice being asked of them. One by one, they each nodded. No one held back, each remembering the little boy and the sad family.
“Gladly, I’ll do it,” Monk the skunk declared.
“Count me in,” Zeke the zebra said.
“…and me,” Rastus the giraffe and Gomer, the lion agreed.
“And I,” promised Esmeralda, the angel fairy.
“Me, too,” added Stripe, the black and white cat.
“Most certainly me,” vowed Nubbs the teddy bear.
“Us for sure,” pledged Mrs. Plumpette and Tweak.
IV.
In the morning, when the family got up to open presents, there was a gift under the tree that wasn’t there before. “Where’d that come from?” asked the mother, putting her hand to her heart.
“No idea,” said the Papa, staring in wonder.
“Never saw it before,” said a son with a quiver in his voice.
“I didn’t do it,” said another son incredulously.
They all looked at each other in amazement. On top of the pile of presents sat an intricately made, exquisite manger. Its wood was fashioned from patchwork overlays of lion, giraffe, zebra and black and white cat patterns. It was lined with downy feathers, bits of stuffing and scraps of velvet teddy bear and leopard fur. A woven nest of golden hair cradled a tiny, silver egg. It was the most enchanting thing they’d ever seen.
The family gasped, gazing about the room at all the play animal friends they collected---missing an arm, leg, hair or stuffing. “Who could have done such a thing?” they asked in reverence, realizing that the manger had been created from the toys.
In the silence, there was no answer, nor would there ever be. But there was the manger. The beautiful, perfectly crafted manger which became an heirloom that the family put out every year after that, along with the prized toy animals…
…to remind them that the beloved little boy who died, tears and faith all have a place of safe-keeping in the manger of human hearts…
…and that God always has a place for us in His heart---no matter where we go or what happens. This is the promise of Christmas and most importantly, why the manger reminds grownups and children alike each December 26th to make room for faith, hope and love every day of the year. The end.
“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” -Luke 2:7
“Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame…there is still room.” -Luke 14:21b,22b
Family Discussion Questions:
1. An ordinary thing, a manger, but it became a sacred symbol for all time as the cradle for Baby Jesus. When we are grieving, we may feel we don’t have room for all the pain, that surely we can’t bear or contain it. Yet, as the years go by and we heal, we find that we contain transformed sorrow as our greatest, most precious treasure. Talk about the memories you are holding in the cradle of your heart this Christmas. Who are you missing?
2. In the story, it is the sacrifice of the toy animals---the giving of themselves---who created the manger that brought such joy to the family. What personal sacrifices do you feel you are called to make this Christmas that will help make room for love in your family? (It could be the need to accept or forgive someone or any number of things.) In reading this, what comes to mind?
3. Our beloved God holds all our deepest hopes, joys and sorrows. Each Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we also experience the birth of new beginnings for ourselves that can only come through resting in God’s eternal heart. What are you celebrating this year?
4. What is being born in you that you did not expect?
5. What character in the story is your favorite and why? If, like the toy animals you were able to ‘come alive’ once a year with a message for the world, what would it be?