Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. [Luke 2:13-14]
"Stanley the Snowman"
A man wrote a very fun little Christmas song called Frosty the
Snowman and you all know it pretty well. Why dont you sing a little
of it because I'll tell you the true story of Frosty the Snowman?
All
done? Good, well what you dont know is that most of the Christmas stories
you know about, even the silly ones, started as a true story but the
songwriters change them some so they make good songs. Well thats
especially true with the story of Frosty. But his name wasnt Frosty. It
was Stanley. You have to admit Stanley the snowman was a jolly happy
soul. sounds pretty silly.
Stanley was built by Jack and Susan
and their dad two days before Christmas. Jack was in 4th grade and Susan was in
5th and they made sure Stanley had lots of good clothes to wear and extra good
things for his eyes, nose and mouth. See their daddy told them that an ancient
custom tells us that if you make a snowman realistic enough, he will come to
life. Its not a bad theory. This Christmas, you and your family see if
you make a super good snowman and you might have an adventure like the one I am
telling you about too.
Stanley did come to life that night. Dad waited
up and watched him begin to step out on his new snow legs and begin to explore
the world. Your dad is aware of a lot of magic he hasnt told you about
yet so listen when he tells his stories. They are all true. Stanley didnt
just dance around all night though. Before Jack and Susan met him Christmas eve
day, he had built a very nice snowman home, a little house for his snow dog if
Jack and Susan were to make him one and a snow car although it didnt
actually drive.
Jack and Susan were pretty shy when they got up early
that morning and saw Stanley happily making his house. Finally, Jack led Susan
out to meet the magical snowman.
Hello? Jack said timidly.
Hello isnt a question. Stanley said and he put his
big snow head back and laughed.
You are alive. Just like daddy
said. Susan said. How can it be? She gasped still a little
afraid.
Well Susan, Stanley explained. Every
Christmas, there is so much magic and miracle power in the air because of the
coming of Christ, some of it leaks out onto silly snowmen like me. He
bowed low bending at his snowman waist. I am Stanley. I am here to play
with you.
HOORAY! the children yelled and they
stopped being afraid and ran and played with Stanley with all their might.
Stanley was pretty good at finding games and they rode on his shoulders as he
went all over town, meeting their friends and teachers and the Minster at their
church too.
I have heard of the Christmas miracle. Pastor
Kelly said, but you are a whole different kind of miracle arent you
Stanley? He laughed.
As the sun went down, it was finally
Christmas Eve. Jack and Susan sipped hot cocoa mommy made inside of
Stanleys wonderful snowman house. You are the best Christmas
present ever Stanley. Susan said and she hugged his neck getting snow on
her cheeks.
But there are so many wonderful presents to have
Susan. What would be the best present in the whole world? Stanley asked.
I dont know Stanley Jack said feeling confused a
little.
Well lets go see. The magical snowman said.
Just like that, they were flying through the night sky just like Santa but
holding onto Stanley's snow hands for all they could. They stopped at a big
palace of a mighty king. These children have a castle and they are
princes and princesses. Maybe I should make you the kings kids for a Christmas
present. He said loudly so the guards nearby got nervous.
No, Susan said shyly. I wouldnt be able to run and play with
everyone, just other princesses, I wouldnt like that. Show us more.
And Stanley did. They flew like the wind passing birds and airplanes
and knocking on the windows to spell out Merry Christmas in the frost as they
flew next to them going wherever Stanley wanted to go. They saw children who
got wonderful stables full of horses, others that got staring roles in the best
movies just because their parents were powerful and rich. They even met
children who wished to become an eagle and fly high in the sky or any animal
they wanted and the magic of Christmas made it all so. Stanley said because of
the powerful magic of Christmas, all of these things could be theirs. Jack and
Susan loved the wonderful travel and seeing so many amazing and exotic things
but finally Susan said. Stanley can we go home?
Back at
their back yard, Stanley served them cookies in his little home again.
But why dont you want the most expensive presents and ponies and
all these things. After all, Christmas brings that kind of magic. He
asked.
Well, Jack said. The more we flew, the more I
knew it wouldnt be Christmas unless it was with our mommy and our daddy
in our little house with regular presents. Somehow, those presents dont
mean Christmas to me.
Me too, Stanley. Something was missing
from all that and that thing, whatever it is, makes Christmas wonderful.
Then I know the most special present of all that will make
Christmas more special than ever before. Stanley said with a big snowman
smile and he clapped his hands. Instantly Jack and Susan were in a stable. They
saw Mary and Joseph looking down. And then Joseph signaled that it was their
turn to look.
Jack, Susan said gasping with awe and wonder
at where they were. Its the baby Jesus. And they stepped up
and looked down at his innocent eyes and his sweet smile. Jack even reached
down and stroked his cheek. For his whole life, Jack never forgot how the skin
of the newborn savior felt. Outside of the stable, they ran to Stanley.
This is the present that is better than any we have seen
tonight. Jack said happily.
Thats because God gave
this present to give us life that can never end. Stanley explained.
Horses would go away, mansions would decay, toys would break or you would
grow out of all those things. But life eternal is something you will never stop
using.
It feels like it really is Christmas now
Stanley! Susan said loudly and with that, they were instantly on their
porch.
You knew it all along that nothing could compare with
Jesus for the best Christmas present ever didnt you? Jack said to
Stanley.
Yes Jack and I knew you knew it too. It was fun having
an adventure but now its time to worship the new born king.
But we dont want you to go Stanley. Susan said with a small
sob.
I wont be far away. Next Christmas build a snowman
twice as good and we will have adventures a hundred times better than these.
But just like this Christmas Eve, we will end each night worshiping Jesus for
saving all people from their sins.
HOORAY! the kids
shouted and they gave final snowy kisses and hugs to their wonderful friend and
ran inside to get on their best Christmas outfits to go to church and
truly praise Jesus for coming to fill their lives with love and the joy of
Christmas every year.
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. [John 10:10]
Get all
50
Children's Christian Stories in one handy volume. This is a perfect
collection for Elementary Teachers, Sunday School Teachers, Parents,
Babysitters or anyone wanting to share a story with a child or children that
may have a positive inpact on their future value system.