Monday, December 9, 2013

Help! Baby Jesus is Missing!


I'm delighted to once again be participating in Susanna Hill's 3rd Annual Holiday Contest! 

Here are the rules:

The Contest:  Write a children's story about a Holiday Mishap, mix-up, miscommunication, mistake, or potential disaster (a la Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer :)).  Your story may be poetry or prose, silly or serious or sweet, religious or not, based on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever you celebrate, but is not to exceed 350 words (aren't I being generous?! :)  It can be as short as you like, but no more than 350!)  Did the dog knock over the Christmas Tree?  Did little Johnny's costume get grape juice all over it moments before the holiday pageant?  Did the menorah go missing?  Did travel arrangements get snarled or miscommunicated?  Did Santa's sleigh have to make an emergency landing?  The field is wide open!  Have fun!  And I'm adding, because so many people have mentioned this, the story does not have to be funny!  You can have a holiday mishap that is serious or sweet or mysterious...  Please don't feel that you have to go the humor route!


To see ALL the entries, go to Susanna Hill's blogpost, HERE.



Here is my creation, at 349 words. It's a theme that has been on my heart for quite a while . . . 



Help! Baby Jesus is Missing! 

Molly stood in front of her neighbor's house, looking at a forest of lighted  decorations. There was a snowman, a tin soldier, a candy cane, a candle, and of course, Santa and his reindeer.  

In the center were Mary and Joseph, bowing low over the manger. But, it was empty! Where is the Christ Child, Molly wondered? "It's His birthday soon. Jesus can't miss His own party!"

Maybe the tin soldier would know. "No, Miss," he said, "I'm just keeping the peace. Try the snowman."

The snowman looked strange. "Have you seen Jesus?" she asked.

"I can't see. They've forgotten my walnut eyes.  Sorry! Maybe the candy cane can help."


She hoped so. But Molly was disappointed. " I'm too busy straightening my pretty red bow. I haven't seen him."

"We must find him," she said in despair. "Christmas is coming soon!"

"Ask Santa," the candy cane suggested.

"Yes!" Sally said. "Santa would know."

She tugged on the sleeve of his red velvet suit. "Santa? Santa! Jesus is missing. Can you help?"

"Can't stop now, little girl. It's almost time to deliver my gifts. Ask the candle."



So she did. "Mr. Candle, can you help the Christ child find his way back to the manger?"

"Not tonight. Ask His parents."

"Mary? Joseph? Where is your Son?"

"He's coming soon, child. Very soon. He will be pleased to know you were waiting for Him," said Mary.

 "Those who are wise seek Him," said his father.  "Be patient, and he will appear."

Molly waited. Two whole days. On Christmas morning, there in the manger, was Jesus, hands outstretched. His parents lovingly bowed in reverence.

Molly clapped her hands in joy. "He's here! Just in time. Happy Birthday, Jesus!"

The lawn decorations joined in.

"To the Prince of Peace!" said the soldier.

"You warm our hearts," said the snowman.

"Our sweet baby Jesus," the candy cane said.

"The greatest gift!" said Santa.

"The light of the world," said the candle.

"Wise men still seek Him," Joseph declared.

"Our waiting is over" said Mary.

"You've finally come!" Molly said. "Welcome to our world!!"


Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!



69 comments:

  1. A baby comes when it's time to come…LOL! Baby Jesus always arrives in time. :)

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  2. What a beautiful Christmas story, Jarm! Good luck!

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  3. AMAZING way to bring THE story to kids in a modern day context. Great job.

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  4. Very sweet and clever idea. Good luck, Jarm.

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    1. I appreciate your comment, Julie. And thanks for the well wishes . . . you, too!

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  5. I wondered if he might appear on the 25th. :D

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  6. Ahh, such a sweet story. Very nice!

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    1. Thank you! Hopefully, I will begin the process of reading all the creative stories tomorrow. I look forward to it. Take care!

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  7. Hearwarming story of what Christmas is really all about. Very nice job, Jarm! Merry Christmas to you and yours.- Donna Sadd :0)

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    1. Thank you, Donna! I just had to share it. And a very Merry and Blessed Christmas to you and your family as well.

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  8. Those babies do keep us waiting, don't they?! I have a daughter Molly, so that made your story even more fun for me to read, Jarm.

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    1. How fun, Deborah . . . I just love the name Molly! ;-}

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  9. I love this, Jarm. What a beautiful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. Well done!

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    1. I appreciate your kind words, Cheryl, and a very blessed Christmas to you and yours!

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  10. I had the same idea of having a missing baby Jesus, which is so missing in most Christmas decor. However, I didn't get one written. Great job and photos!

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    1. Thanks, Tina. I would have loved to have read yours. Hopefully next year! (Great minds think alike)

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  11. Jarm...I love how you wove these important messages into the story. Some are too wrapped up in their own concerns, others are too wrapped up in themselves...but the little child knew what was important. This is a beautiful Christmas story that should be read all year long.:)

    Have a beautiful Christmas filled with love and light.:)

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    1. You are so sweet Vivian! Thanks for your insight. I hope you, too have a blessed Christmas season.

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Yvonne! Thanks for stopping by.

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  13. Sweet story-- great characterization of all the lawn ornaments!

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    1. Thanks, Michelle. There were so many, that it was tough to decide which to include!

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  14. That is the cutest story and I love how religious it is too. Waiting for Jesus not Santa

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    1. Thanks, Catherine . . . Jesus is the reason for the season! ;-)

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  15. Reminds me of a poem I once read. I'll have to look for it and take it out. Molly knew what was important. And on Christmas Day the reason for the season came to be born. Thanks for a sweet story, Jarm.

    Merry Christmas!

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    1. You are welcome, Clar! And if you find the poem, let me know. A very blessed Christmas to you, too!

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  16. Beautiful! Even when we must search through the plastic, the neon, and the glitter we can still find what is truly most important. Lovely story!

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  17. Oh, what a lovely, lovely story, Jarm! I LOVE how you picked just the right thing for each of the lawn ornaments to say - that was so perfect. My favorite was the candle - "the light of the world". And I completely agree with Cathy's comment just above. Thanks for a wonderful story about the true meaning of Christmas!

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    1. Thank you Susanna for your praise of my story. That's so sweet, and it means a lot to me. The idea came to me right away as I pondered what I would write. So thank YOU for inspiring me to create it!

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  18. Jarm, I am mystified because I know I commented on this story but I don't see my comment! Anyway, this is a lovely story - so beautiful! I love the way each of the lawn ornaments had a comment that was perfect for it - my favorite was the candle - "the light of the world". And I agree completely with Cathy - that in the midst of the plastic and glitter we can still find what's important. Thank you for sharing this sweet story which reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas!

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    1. Sorry, Susanna! It took me awhile to "approve" all the comments. It's been a busy day, but I love your comment so much, I approved it twice!

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    2. And I forgot to wish you a very blessed Christmas Season, Susanna!

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  19. Hi Jarm,
    So glad you retold the Christmas story with a modern twist. Jesus really is the reason for the season. :-)

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    1. 'Tis true, Tracy! Thanks for stopping by, and here's wishing you a blessed Christmas!

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  20. Lovely, and I loved the way the different decorations responded at the end, perfectly in character.

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    1. Thank you so much, Beth! And have a very Merry Christmas!

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  21. So sweet! I love how you incorporated all of the other characters into singing His praise!

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    1. Thanks, Joanne . . . I appreciate your kind thoughts. Blessings on your Christmas!

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  23. A sweet way to show the true meaning of Christmas, Jarm!

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    1. Thanks so much, Stacy. Hopefully we will never forget that fact! A blessed Christmas season to you and yours.

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  24. Jarm,
    Such a beautiful story and so well written. You brought it all together very skillfully. I really love it!

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    1. Oh, that's sweet, Penny! As I mentioned, the idea has been on my mind and heart for sometime now. Thanks for stopping by!

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  25. Oh, I love this - it brought tears to my eyes. You have so skilfully woven the secular with the sacred. Excellent job! :)

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    1. Thank you, Martha . . . . For your kind comment. It certainly was a challenge! A blessed Christmas to you.

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  26. You just gave me an idea for a new tradition... :) Great story! :D

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    1. I'm so glad I was an inspiration for you, Erik! A very Merry Christmas to you!

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  27. I never thought about the nativity scenes that DO have baby Jesus there before Christmas. Now I'm going to start looking more carefully. Loved the way you wove the story together.

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  28. A sweet reminder of the Christ in Christmas.

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  29. I knew a family that would move the Holy Family from their nativity set toward the creche until they arrived on Christmas Eve. I loved how you incorporated other Christmas symbols and the light photos into your story!

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    1. How clever, Laura! I wonder how many people noticed. Thanks for your visit; I hope to be returning the favor soon.

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    1. Thanks, Buffy! I appreciate your comment, and your visit.

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  31. Great Christmas story. I feared at first he was stolen, so I was delighted by the ending. Thanks Jarm.

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    1. You are welcome, Stacy. I'm glad you were satisfied by the ending. I wouldn't want to worry anyone! Merry Christmas!

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I would love to have you comment...thanks!

Journey into the Promised Land

Journey into the Promised Land
From Egypt to Israel