Story of the Month
14 Christmas Stories
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Shepherds telling what happened
Thoughts of Joseph
Listen to John Walsh tell this story
Joseph could not sleep. Mary’s news had devastated him! Oh, his love for her was still strong, but his dedication to God had to come first.
No! There was no doubt about this issue. Oh, it wasn’t just the fact that she was pregnant. No, that’s just a result of her sin. The issue was immorality, and it couldn’t be tolerated. Because of their engagement, they were bonded together. So it was up to him to act.
In the quiet of the night, Joseph continued weighing his options. Other men might have her executed by stoning as a way to heal their hurt. But he was not that kind of man. No, he would simply have her put away quietly, which meant that in the coming years she would live with her child, as a marked woman, being avoided in the market and at the public well. But it can’t be helped. That is the result of sin.
And, because of Joseph’s love for Mary, he too would probably remain single. Oh, maybe someday his hurt will heal and possibly then he will…
Suddenly a gentle light appears in his room. “Joseph, Joseph. Don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife.”
Providing for Mary
Listen to John Walsh tell this story
Mary knew she was expecting a child. God had worked a miracle. But God had also turned her world upside down! When she announced the news, Joseph had, well shall we say, he had not taken it well. And her parents had sided with him. They made it clear that when she started to “show,” she would have to leave. “But, where will I go? My friends will all turn against me. I will be homeless.” Mary knew that her life here in Nazareth would be plagued with poverty and disgrace.
“God, oh God, I need your help! I don’t expect Joseph to understand. But, will you speak to my father. Tell him that this child is from you!” With that, she broke down and sobbed.
She didn’t notice Joseph slipping into the room. “Mary, God has talked to me. I now understand. If you will still have me, we can be married soon. Together we will set up a home and I will provide for your needs. And Mary, you will remain a virgin until Messiah is born.”
Finding Another Stable
Listen to John Walsh tell this story
Business had made Amos late arriving in Bethlehem. The moon was already starting to set in the western sky, and the bright stars only made his eyelids heaver. “This Roman census is coming at a bad time for business. I going find a soft bed and go right to sleep. (sound) No one deserves it more than me.”
As he approached the innkeeper’s house, he realized someone had arrived just before him. He saw a woman sitting on a donkey and observed that she was (sound) “great with child”. “Ooooh,” he thinks to himself, “I expect I will be hearing some crying during the night. Well, that not a problem. I’m tired enough to sleep though anything.”
When he gets to the door, he hears the Innkeeper say, “Well, all we have left is the stable, if that is all right.” Amos thinks, “The stable! That woman is about to give birth to a child.” But, to his amazement the man outside the door accepts.
Amos steps back and strokes his beard. “Well, obviously there are no other beds in this town or else he wouldn’t have been so quick to accepted a barn. Oh well, I guess I had better go and find … another stable!”
The Birth of Messiah
Listen to John Walsh tell this story
Joseph stands there in total amazement. He knows who this child is. Even in this humble stable cave, he knows that this is Messiah.
He smiles to himself. “Funny how our plans are not always God’s plans.” Over the last few months, Joseph had made sure the house was ready for his special guest. He was going to welcome the infant Messiah with the best his meager resources could afford. Somehow God had a different plan.
His smile turned to a more thoughtful expression. “God is all knowing and His ways are far above ours, but how will history view, ‘being born in a stable?’ “(sound) I would have thought that God would want something that people would look back on and celebrate.”
Oh well, that wasn’t his problem. God would have to work that one out. His job is to care for the little child and his mother. But how do you raise the Son of God? He was just a rough carpenter.
A smile once again moves across Joseph’s face, as all the problems of the situation are once again stored away for future consideration. For now, he will just stand and enjoy the wonderful scene before him.
Shepherds telling what happened
Listen to John Walsh tell this story
Benjamin is not the type of man to talk on and on about anything. As a matter of fact, to get him to talk at all is a chore. And he certainly isn’t the type to be taken in by tricks and schemes. So Esther was amazed to hear so many words flowing out of her husband’s mouth. And with the glow on his face, she started to wonder if this man truly was her husband.
“Now Esther, don’t look at me that way. I’m just telling you what I saw. This is not some tall tale from one of the young shepherds bored with his work. Hey, I saw it myself − angels, without number, singing and praising God. They told us to go into Bethlehem and we would see the Christ − and get this − as a newborn baby.”
“Well, Esther, you know I haven’t gone to the synagogue as much as I should. And besides, I just couldn’t imagine why such an announcement would come to a bunch of rough shepherds. But when I walked into that stable − yes, Esther, a stable. … Well, I don’t know why either. … Look, I’m just telling you what I saw. … Say, do you want to hear this or not? Well, when I walked into that stable, I knew two things. I was in the presence of the Son of God. And my life is never going be the same.”
The Flight into Egypt
Listen to John Walsh tell this story
The Sinai Desert turns cool now that the sun has left the sky. The twilight provides just enough glow to prepare the campsite. Joseph builds a little fire to help Mary fix a quick meal for the three of them. But as soon as she is done and before they eat, Joseph covers the fire with sand so they can be invisible in the night.
The rocky hills that surround the small family fade from view as darkness thickens. Since there is no moon, the stars are breathtaking, and seem to hover close over them. The small child reaches up as if to touch one of the stars that he himself had created.
Normally, Joseph would not have taken a trip like this without the protection of a caravan. He knows he and his family are vulnerable. Still, the urgency of the flight from Bethlehem demanded immediate action. Herod is sending troops to kill all children under the age of two. Speed is of essence and secrecy is imperative.
But there is no place that is safe in all of Israel. He must take the young Messiah to Egypt until Herod is dead. And then … well, he doesn't know what he will do then.
But the darkness of this night brings calmness and peace as the little family enjoys the display of stars. They visit with each other in low whispers; pray together quietly, and then, one by one, they go to sleep. All the cares, concerns and world turmoil will just have to wait until tomorrow?
Losing Your Situation
Listen to John Walsh tell this story
Scrooge glares at Bob Crachett, “One more word from you and you’ll lose your situation!” Quickly Bob goes back to work. He definitely doesn't want to lose his job. These are hard times in London and his large family needs those few shillings he brings home each week.
As he sits working at his deck, he can’t help but think, “Oh, Mr. Scrooge holds all the advantages in regard to my work situation, but when we both go home, Ebenezer Scrooge has nothing but his bitter loneliness awaiting him. (sound) I, on the other hand, have great wealth in family, and joy and love. Even now my wife and children are waiting for me, laughing, preparing, planning. Tiny Tim is already looking out the window in anticipation of my arrival.”
At the end of the day, Bob Crachett gathers his hat and coat. It is that time once again. It comes every year. He has to endure Mr. Scrooge’s glare and harsh comments about asking for Christmas day off from work. He dreads that. “But oh, it’s worth it. Those few seeds of humiliation bring the harvest of a whole day at home with his precious family.”
Jamie
Listen to John Walsh tell this story
10 year old Jamie slipped out into the cold December morning. It was Christmas day, but he needed to go to work anyway. The foreman said that anyone who wanted the day off from work, could simply stay home. But the few pennies Jamie could earn that day would help his mother pay the rent. Still, it was Christmas Day. He didn’t want a present, or anything like that. He just wanted to stay home.
His pace quickened as he started to pass by old crankity Mr. Scrooge’s house. He had no desire to be scolded for simply walking past the house. Suddenly the second floor window flew open.
“Young man, what day is it?”
Jamie just stood there, looked at the strange sight before him. (ha) There was old Mr. Scrooge leaning out the window, dressed in his nightshirt and a stocking cap.
“Young man, what day is it?”
“It’s … Christmas, sir.”
“Oh, good, I haven’t missed it.”
What happened then was like a miracle! In the next few minutes Jamie earned a half a crown simply by running, getting the butcher, and bringing him back to Mr. Scrooge. Now he could spend Christmas at home.
Pay Raise
Listen to John Walsh tell this story
Bob Cratchet slips into the dingy office, quickly puts his coat, hat, and scarf on the coat rack. He slides into his chair and at the same time, picking up his quill, he starts to write. He is late and he doesn't want to lose his job.
But oh, Christmas had been a wonderful day. The whole family was there, the celebration, the games, the food − − Oh, the food. Where had that goose come from any way? It was almost as big as Tiny Tim.
“Bob Cratchett, what do you mean by coming in here at this hour of the morning?”
“Oh, Mr. Scrooge, I am so sorry. It will never happen again.”
“Oh, I can guarantee that it will never happen again. I will see to that. Why the first thing I am going to do you is … raise your salary!”
“Oh, Mr. Scrooge, please don’t. I promise that I … ‘raise my salary?’”
(ha) “Yes, Bob, raise your salary. And that is just the beginning. Listen, I have already asked God to forgive me. Now I must ask you. Bob, forgive me for the way I have treated you.“Oh yes, Mr. Scrooge.”
Peace on the Battle Field
Listen to John Walsh tell this story
It is Christmas Eve, 1914. A cry comes from the German trenches. “Let’s meet half way.” After a time of shouting back and forth, two brave soldiers cautiously move toward the center of …“no man’s land.”
And so it began. The next morning revealed a beautiful, cloudless winter day. It was the dawn of Christmas. The Great War that was to end all wars seemed so far away.
Instead the air is charged with Peace and Good Will toward Men.
“What happened last night? Is an impromptu cease-fire possible? Can common solders just declare a truce without it being worked out by high command?”
Well, that is exactly what happened. By mid morning, “no man’s land” was filled with solders from both armies, laughing, exchanging gifts of food, and singing Christmas carols. By afternoon, a soccer game is organized and the 133rd Saxon Regiment wins 3-2.
As midnight approaches, both sides quietly sing hymns and carols together, but in two languages. At midnight a prearranged flare is shot into the air and World War I continues.
Martin the Cobbler
Listen to John Walsh tell this story
Martin went to his bedroom disappointed. Last night he was sure the Lord had said that he would come to his house today. Yet, he had worked at his table next to the window all day, and Jesus did not arrive.
“Lord, why didn’t you come today?”
“Oh, but I did, and you treated me well.”
“Remember your neighbor who was shoveling snow? You invited him in to warm himself. He was tired, hungry, and lonely. You met his needs and lifted his spirits.”
Yes, Lord, but I …”
(X) “Remember the poor woman with the child? Her husband is off to war, and she sold all she had for food. You invited them in, gave them food, clothing, and money.”
“Lord, I was just …”
(X) “Then you went out into the cold to settle a dispute between that shopkeeper and young lad. They both needed to see their situation from your view point.”
Martin was deep in thought about what he was hearing. “Lord, I know all this, but I thought YOU were coming here today.”
“Martin, I was hungry, thirsty, a stranger, and you took me in. You may not have recognized me, but I was in your house, today.”
Gifts of the Magi
Listen to John Walsh tell this story
Della and Jim are young, poor and so much in love. Their little apartment flat is void of any value except their two prize possessions – Jim’s watch, which has been passed down from father to son for years; and Della’s hair, long, thick, and beautiful.
This Christmas they both want to show their love for the other. What better way than to enhance that prize the other possesses?
Della cuts her hair short and sells the long thick beautiful locks to buy Jim an expensive chain for his watch to replace that old leather strap that is such an embarrassment to him. With this, Jim will proudly “check the time” while others admire the beauty of the watch without the distraction of that old strap.
Jim, in turn, sells the watch in order to buy Della that expensive set of combs she admired in the shop window. With these she can style and decorate her hair in ways that will make even the queen of England blush with envy!
When Della and Jim open their presents, they hug one another tightly. They have both sacrificed the greatest treasures of their household for each other; only to find that the greatest treasures of the household are each other.
Writing Silent Night
Listen to John Walsh tell this story
“Franz, I wrote a little poem the other night.” Pastor Joseph Mohr handed the poem to his friend Franz Gruber the village schoolmaster. The year was 1818 in a tiny village high in the Austrian Alps.
This might have been the end of it, except for help of a couple of mice. You see, the church choir had been practicing for weeks to sing their well-established songs. These songs required the organ, with the schoolmaster at the keyboard.
“Oh how horrible! Just a few days before the special Christmas Eve service, they discovered that the nibbling mice had destroyed essential parts of the organ, making it unplayable. What a disappointment!”
But Franz had an idea. He took the pastor’s poem and arranged some music for the guitar. Silent Night was heard for the first time at that special midnight service.
Neither pastor Mohr nor Franz Gruber knew that the song would escape from the tiny village that night. It spread quickly all across Europe …and the world.
Both of them quietly continued to serve their little village. It wasn’t until the 1850’s that they realized their beautiful song had become the most beloved Christmas music ever written.
Personal Christmas Story
Listen to John Walsh tell this story
Years ago, when my family was young, a deacon at our church handed me a gift certificate for $50, redeemable at a local grocery story. Now you must understand that my wife is a frugal shopper, and that amount of money in her hands could mean weeks of carefully planned meals. That evening we told our children about the generosity of our church family, and gave thanks to God.
Once inside the grocery store, my wife suddenly had an unconventional idea. “What if we let each member of the family choose one item for our Christmas Eve supper?” The children were totally delighted, nearly ecstatic!
Well, I knew what I wanted, a double can of chop suey with rice. Christie, our oldest picked up a loaf of French bread. Joyce settled on tacos. Brenda has always loved black olives, and my wife selected a can of oyster stew.
Where was 6-year old David, our son? He had disappeared. We finally located him at the seafood counter asking the clerk for a chunk of squid.
What an unusual Christmas meal! We continued that tradition until the girls got older and started coordinating their choices to line up to a more conventional fare, which somehow always seems to include black olives.
Don’t forget to check out our ‘Tips for Telling’ this month as well
Check out the past five months of stories and tips
