the star
This is a repost from last year, but probably one of my favorite posts on the blog. I just love this story and the scripture that goes along with it. Enjoy!
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We have a small nativity set that my aunt gave to our family several years ago. I put it out with our christmas decorations each year, but it is usually placed up high out of the reach of our children as it is breakable and they are, well, kids.
But I decided this year to put the nativity lower. Within reach. Surrounded by teensy flakes of snow. I fully expected that the boys would take interest in it and that there would probably be snowflakes all over the place, but I didn’t really anticipate what my no. 2 did yesterday afternoon.
First, he rearranged all of the figurines so that they were in a tight circle around baby Jesus. He fixed the snow so it was just right and stood staring at it for a short time.
Next, he went to the table and started a little craft. I thought nothing of it. He has a short attention span and moves from activity to activity like a whirlwind.
Only later did I realize that my sweet boy’s craft time consisted of taping a star to the amaryllis plant.
Because every nativity scene needs a star.
“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
“the magi went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2
It is hard to find ways to keep our focus on the reason we celebrate Christmas. I love the carols, the lights, the shopping and decorating, the baking and parties. I even love santa. But most of all, I love Jesus. And I want so badly for my children to love him too.
My son making a star for the manger scene tells me he gets it. In his own six-year-old way, he cared enough about the story to make it right.
When I saw that star, I was overjoyed.
Brenda M.
Oh, Emily. What a wonderful story – thank you for sharing it with us.
katey
I remember this but it’s just a wonderful story worth repeating every year. Thank you for sharing again.
Kim @ Vintage Pretties
Oh my gosh, what a sweet story. Thank you for re-posting — I must have missed it the first time.
Jill
A beautiful, beautiful post!!! A wonderful story that makes me overjoyed too!
Chaney
That almost brings tears to my eyes! I’m so glad you brought that post back – definitely worth another read. It’s a reminder to all of us of what this season is all about, isn’t it?
Dana
Precious. Best Christmas memory ever!
Colleen
Loved this post last year, loved it just as much this year.
Amy Kirchhoff
This was heartwarming! Would have been one of my most treasured and proudest parent moments.
Kristen
I teared up! That is the most wonderful story…on days like that you KNOW that you are doing something right!
We have the Little People nativity set. I highly recommend it for play:)
Shannon W
This brought tears! May we all slow down long enough to stare at our nativity scenes and try to imagine the absolute wonderment of that night, the reason we celebrate and the reason we have life. Thank you for sharing!
Mandolyn
Brought tears to my eyes!!!
Deb
That is just lovely. I’m a new reader, so thank you for sharing it again.
Meg Mc
Oh goodness! That made me tear up. Since I’m a relatively new reader, I am soooo glad you reposted this.
Heather
It makes my heart smile to read stories like this.
Ashley G
How incredibly precious, thank you for sharing! So often this season starts feeling like a giant set of obligations and a long list of things to accomplish, but it is these kind of stories that make us remember what it is all really about.
sarah
love this! beautiful!
hillary
i guess i’ll cry reading it this year too. he’s the sweetest.
Rach
This is so sweet, and reflects on you teaching him the true meaning of Christmas. Thank you for sharing, again.
Ashley J
love love love love love it!
my 6 year old this year has been rearranging our nativity to where it looks like they are having a close “meeting” around the baby Jesus. every time i “fix” it, the next time i walk by its back to the “meeting”. she also told me last night “mom, you know christmas is about jesus’ birth, and not presents right? the presents are nice, but its really about jesus.” i wish i could bottle-up this age.
Kim R
I’m sitting at my desk at work and have tears in my eyes. God bless you and your sweet family. Thank you so much for the post and Merry CHRISTmas.
Jessica
brought tears to my eyes AGAIN this year – hope my two boys have just as much appreciation for the significance – and as big of a heart!
Debe Leone
That post brought tears to my eyes. Funny…I have a Nativity scene & I keep thinking it needs a star. I keep thinking I need to find time to get out my glass glitter & fashion something to add to mine. Reading what No. 2 did just spurs me to get busy. Hope your family has a blessed Christmas. I read you all year long so it is nice to be able to tell you how much I enjoy all the hard work you put into creating such a wonderful, creative blog for your fans. Again, Merry Christmas.
Estela
That is very sweet! Beautiful nativity scene.
bj
I wanted to tell you THANK YOU for blessing me with this adorable story.
It brought tears to my eyes. Such a sweet 6 yr. old.
Mindy
Just as touching this year as last. Thank you for sharing it again and reminding us to keep that child-like faith and keep Jesus our primary focus of the season.
Julia
That brings tears to my eyes. How thoughtful and sweet. Wise young men still worship Him.
Holly
How sweet! What a blessing when God allows us to see His work…
Melissa
JOY! I love this post. It made me a little teary eyed.
mara
You are such great parents instilling the story of our Lord into your children!
Sue
What a wonderful story. Please, whatever you are doing, stop and go give that lil boy a hug for me! He brought joy and at the same time a little tear from me.
Susan
Had tears last year when I read it; tears this year too!
I keep thinking what a wonderful “treasure” of a memory that you’ll be able to share with HIM & his future family one day!
katherine Landreneau
Very sweet! Brought tears to my eyes! Even children can understand the Gospel message! Such a treasure of a story! Thank you for sharing!
Ashley
I LOVE this story. These are the moments that will be treasured forever in our hearts as mothers. Motherhood is so challenging but the rewards are like none other! I remember reading this last year and it still touches my heart. For one, because how precious our little kids are. Secondly, my love for Christ. It is just so overwhelming. Oh, how great is our God! His gifts amaze me. Thank you for sharing this sweet story
I really enjoy reading your blog.
Sue Huls
I loved this last year and still do.
Anita
What a beautiful story. I am overjoyed also.
Rebecca A.
What a wonderful post! Makes me think of this song…http://youtu.be/_HRTBC5m5A0
Merry Christmas!
Joy N.
that’s awesome! happy for you and your boy who really knows what Christmas means!
Raechel
Brought me to tears! It is very clear that you have taught him well and that he can feel of your love for Jesus Christ. What a wonderful mother you are. Thank you for sharing this sweet story!
TCobb
I’m so glad you re-posted this! Somehow, I missed it last year. It’ll go Into the list of favorites to be revisited now, though! Thank you for sharing. Beautiful.
Cindy Lynn
What a precious story – worth repeating & brought tears to my eyes again this year! Wishing you & your family a wonderful Christmas season! Cindy Lynn
Jennifer
I loved reading this story last year and was happy to see it again. It is touching, and refreshing and lovely and I had tears in my eyes both time I read as I imagined the way your heart felt when you saw that tiny star!
Adrianne
How sweet. Children can be so beautiful in their expressions. This made me misty eyed.
MarySue
Your precious six year old son made the star because you have taken the time to teach him these important truths…probably taught many times. What a blessing. Merry Christmas.
Shannel
sweet tears. thank you.
Nancy B
This touched my heart and I needed this today.
Joy Jenkins
I have only recently found your blog and I must say it is a pleasure to read. I too LOVE Jesus! Thank you for that sweet story. I am now going to get my nativity off the mantle and place it on the coffee table so that my son can enjoy it at his level.
Merry Christmas,
Joy Jenkins
Lindsey B.
What an adorable story. I worry my boys (5 & 7) get caught up in the gimme, gimmes and forget about the true meaning of Christmas but they will randomly surprise me with their insight. It’s always a happy moment as a parent to know that they’re absorbing all the good stuff too!