One of my fvourite stories for Christmas Eve. My dad used to read this to me when I was very little. I still ahve the original book, all dog eared, and covered in peanut butter. Here and there, on some of the pages, I see evidence of pencil markings, where I have scratched my name.
The lttlest angel was exactly four year, six months, five days, seven hours and forty-two minutes of age when he presented himself to the Gate Keeper and waited for admittance to the Glorious Kingdom of God.
The Littlest Angel tried to pretend that he wasn't at all afraid. But his lower lip trembled, and a tear ran down to the veyr tip end of his small freckled nose.He also sniffled, a most unangelic sound which so unnerved the good Gate Keeper that he did something he had never done before in all Eternity. He blotted the page!
The Heavenly Peace was never the same after that. The Littlest Angel always arrived late to choir practice, and always knocked everyone's wings askew as he darted into place. His halo was permanently tarnished where he held onto it when he ran, and he was always running. Sooner or later every single angel knew that he woul have to go before the Angel of Peace.
"S, you're the one who's been making Heaven so unheavenly! Come here, Cherub and tell me all about it."
The Littlest Angel told the understanding Angel that he was very homesick. He missed the trees and caves , the swimming hole, the sun,the rain, and dark, and dawn and thick brown dust, so soft and warm beneath your feet. The kindly Angel asked the Cherub what would make him happy.
"There's a box. I left it under my bed back home. If only I could have that!"
THe Understanding Angel nodded his head. "You shall have it." A heavenly messenger was instantly dispatched to bring the box to Paradise.
Then it came to pass that Jesus, the Son of God, was to be born. As as the glorious tidings spread through Paradise, all the angels rejoiced. They put aside their usual tasks to prepare their gifts for the Blessed Infant. All but the Littlest Angel. He sat down on the Golden Stairs and waited for inspiration.
The time of the Miracle was very close at hand when the Littlest Angel decided on his gift. He brought it , with downcast eyes, and placed it before the Throne of God. It was only a small, rough, unsightly bos, but inside were all those wonderful things that even a Child of God would treasure!
But the Littlest Angel was embarassed of his simple gift, amongst all the wonderful things that were brought to God. He wanted to hide it.
Too late! God found the wooden box, and opened it before the Heavenly Host. And was his gift to the Blessed Infant? A butterfly with gold wings, captured one bright summer day, a sky blue egg from a bird's nest, and two white stones, found on a muddy river bank, where he and his friends had played. At the bottom of the box was a limp, tooth-marked leather strap, once worn as a collar by his dog.
Ad the Voice of God spoke: "Of all the gifts of all the Angels, I find that this small box pleases Me most. Its contents are of the Earth and of Men, adn My Son is born to bew King of both. These are the things My Son, too, will know and love and cherish, and then leave behind Him when His task is done. I accept this gift in the Name of the Child, Jesus, born of Mary this night in Bethlehem."
Then the box began to glow, and became a radiant brilliance that blinded the eyes of all the angels. It rose from the Throne of God, and took its place in the night sky, shining its brilliance over a Stable where a Child was born.
There is shone on that Night of Miracles, and its light was reflected down through the centuries deep in the heart of all mankind. Yet, earthly eyes, blinded, too, by its splendour , cold never know that the lowly gift of th Littlest Angel was what all men would call forever the shining Star of Bethlehem!
(abridged from the original by Charles Tazewell)
Looking up towards the house. Buried under snow. Lots to shovel out, just to get up the hill.
