A Nativity Scene

My favorite part of our Christmas party, apart from the good food and wonderful company, was the nativity put on by the little ones.  Our niece Kyla was the narrator with her sisters, Mikaela and Kendall, playing the parts of the shepherd and angel, Emma and Walker were our Mary and Joseph and little cousin Eli was the wiseman.  And of course sweet Lillian was a cow.  Baby Jesus was the obvious choice for her but she just looks so stinkin' cute in her cow pyjamas.

We had quite the cute little manger scene in our living room.

For Christmas this year my Dad wrote a beautiful little Christmas story that he put with pictures and gave to each of us in a little book.  He is our very own Dr. Seuss and it is just too beautiful not to share.  I have yet to read it without crying.  Here it is...

What is this, Christmas?

White hills and valleys of new fallen snow

Bring questions and puzzles to children below

A riddle, a mystery, this Christmasy thing

That brought baby Jesus and angels to sing

For Emma, the namesake of her Grandma Merlynn

Her search for this Christmas was about to begin

With little brother Walker, also known as Walka-do

And their crazy cousin Eli to name just a few

The determined little fellowship set out on a quest

To find things of Christmas which make it the best

They started out slowly, looking here and over there

Finding dozens of toys from past years they could share

Was this the true meaning intended above

Or had shoppers and sellers confused His great love

Christmas, thought Emma, should mean so much more

So they thought and they pondered 'til their thinkers were sore

And then, like a candle bringing light to the way

Their little cousin Eli stood with something to say

Maybe Christmas is more than just shopping and fun

Perhaps it's a feeling, like the warmth of the sun

You're right, my fine fellow, Walker had to agree

It starts out quite little, like planting a tree

I know that's the answer, Emma shouted with glee

It's the love and the care from my own family

Of course, it made sense to their wee little hearts

That the joy of this Christmas should never depart

But each day with some kindness, kisses and tears

You share a bit of Christmas every day of the year

The true meaning of Christmas burned brighter by far

When our trio of heroes remembered the star

Then the warmth they'd been seeking surrounded all three

As they realized the Spirit of Christmas is free

The birth in a manger surrounded by sheep

Was a message to all to arise and not sleep

But love one another and care for your own

For this is the meaning of Christmas we've shown

And then like a miracle from heaven above

The Father of us all displayed His great love

Her name, like a flower, as sweet as can be

Our precious, dear Lillian born for to see

That the love of this season is truly a gem

The Christ child is born the king of all men

So come, Christmas season with whistles and bows

For the meaning of Christmas our trio does know

May our Savior's pure love lift and lighten your load

As you think of my grandchildren and the story they've told

Love, Grandpa Larsen