barnaby

" Barnaby’s Christmas "

Barnaby was thrilled, for it was his favorite time of year,
the holiday season was finally here. School was out for Christmas break
and everyone just couldn’t wait for Santa Bee to appear, on his sled with
his reindeer! Presents for everyone, the one’s who had been good just knew
they would get presents, Oh, yes they would! Mother Bee had hung all of
their stockings with care and was in the kitchen making honey bears! Those
were Barnaby’s biggest treat aside from the presents, Barnaby loved to
eat! The Christmas tree was hanging full of ornaments of present and past.
It had started to snow outside, at last. Yes, Barnaby was excited! Looking
at the Christmas tree all lighted, gave him a warm feeling inside, one that
he could not hide. But something was missing and what could it be?
Everything was perfect as far as he could see.
Barnaby looked out the window and there was Austin, Cameron and Lou, all
bundled up and sledding down the hill in an old shoe. So, Barnaby called to
mother "I am going outside to play in the snow!", and mother called back
"Before you go, make sure you are dressed warm for it is very cold, you
know!" Barnaby smiled and got his gear on, and before mother could say
"cookies are done." Out the door Barnaby had gone.
Outside it felt good, cold, crisp and clear. Barnaby looked up and coming
quite near was Lou driving the shoe, Lou yelled" LOOK OUT!" as Barnaby
started to shout! Lou just missed Barnaby by an inch or so. One thing was
very clear, Lou did not know how to steer and was not going slow!" Then a
loud but slow yell came over the hill, it was Jake the snail, slipping and
sliding, sure to take a bad spill! "OOOOOH NOOOOO! HEEEEEELP ME!"
Down went Jake, for goodness sake right into the tree. Everyone ran down
to see, and when they got to Jake, he plopped his head out and said
"Weeeell weeellll, Thank God I have a sheeeeell!" Everyone laughed aloud,
then they noticed someone else in the crowd. It was a cricket, he had
been hiding in a thicket. Jake said " This is my friend Klayton the cricket"
Klayton said "Hey chirp, chirp, how are you?" and Barnaby replied with his
usual, "How do?" They played all day, until the sun went down and then
everyone was homeward bound.
It was Christmas Eve and all the bees were on their way to Honey Bee
Church at the end of the day. There was to be a play. Reverend Mann the
praying mantis would give his Christmas Blessings. Sitting at the table with
Mother bee, Barnaby was eating honey dressing. Barnaby’s brothers and
sisters were fighting and wrestling. Barnaby told mother bee, "Mom, I feel
there is something missing inside of me, but I don’t know what on earth it
could be." Mother just smiled and said "Sweetheart, wait until tonight and
you will see, it will all become clear and through your heart you will see and
hear." There was a knock at the door, and mother bee said "Be a dear
Barnaby and see who is there." Barnaby opened the door and it was officer
Bucky Bee, with presents for everyone, and mother came and had a
present for him too, because that is how it is done. "Merry Christmas
officer Bucky" said Barnaby and officer Bucky tipped his hat and said
"Merry Christmas to you too, must be on my way, I will see you tonight at
the play."
When they arrived at the church, it started to become clear to Barnaby
as to why he was here. He saw the Manger out on the lawn, with baby
Jesus, glowing, wrapped in swaddling clothes and surrounded by wise men
and an angel and it began to dawn on Barnaby, this was God’s only Son.
Christmas wasn’t about presents and stockings and trees, it was about
Jesus who was born for all the world to see. He was here to teach us God’
s Word and love, this precious gift from Heaven above.
Suddenly Barnaby’s heart was so warm, it was bursting with joy, he no
longer thought about the toys. All he could think about was the greatest
gift that God had given to us."Thank you God " Barnaby said as the light
from a single star shone on his head. The something that was missing was
in his heart. Smiling, he went into the church and took his seat beside
mother bee, just as the play began to start. Mother bee put her arm
around Barnaby, and with a tear in his eye, he looked up at her and smiled,
at that moment, Reverend Mann said "Children, let us pray for awhile."
Kimberlie Clark copyright2005

http://www.kimberlie.faithweb.com
Kimberlie Clark