CHRISTMAS STORIES

Hi Everyone ,

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. We enjoyed having Nate, Marie, Annie, Max, Meg, Brig, Sam, Sarah & Glen here for Thanks giving. It reminded me how much I love family traditions, so I decided to continue on of my favorites which is to read Christmas stories starting on December first. Since I can't turn on the Christmas lights and have you all gather in your blankies curled up on the couch I thought I would do the next best thing, and that is to post a christmas story for you to read every day. I know some of you have a copy of my christmas stories but the rest of you don't . I know with School and busy lives it's hard to get in the Christmas spirit. I know the years that have been the best for me are the years I personally decide to hold Christmas close to my heart by doing some little thing in my private time that touches my heart. Sometimes it is reading the christmas scriptures, playing a couple of christmas songs on the piano every day, writing a note to someone every day, or reading a 

Christmas story. I thought if I posted one that you only had to make a couple of clicks to read, it would give you a little lift. As you read the story just remember how much I love you and how much you are in my heart and if all of the prayers I say for you were stars it would light up the sky just like the Heavenly Father lit up the Sky for His son. Enjoy, there will be one everyday. love mom

THE FADED BLUE BLANKET

The most frightened shepherd that night was little Ladius, just ten. He cowered behind his three older brothers when the blinding star lit the hillside. When the angel appeared, he hid behind a huge rock.
Yet after Ladius heard the glad news, fear left him, and he limped back to his brothers, who were planning to set out for Bethlehem.
"Who will tend the sheep?" asked Samuel, the oldest at sixteen. Ladius, leaning against his shepherd's crook to support a crippled foot, volunteered, "I'd only slow you down. Let me stay with the sheep." He wet his lip as he talked. The brothers weakly protested at first, then made plans to go.
"We must each take a gift," said Samuel. One brother chose his flint to start a fire for the Christ child. Another picked meadow lilies to make a garland for the king. Samuel decided on his most precious possession--his gold ring.
"Here--take my blanket to him," said Ladius. It was badly worn, a faded blue with patches.
"No, Ladius," said Samuel, tenderly. "The blanket is too tattered to give even a beggar--let alone a king. Besides, you will need it tonight."
The brothers departed, leaving Ladius alone by the fire. He laid his head upon the blanket and buried his face in his hands. Tears forced
their way between his fingers, but soon the hush of night soothed the boy's heartbreak. The world in silent stillness lay.
"Are you coming, Ladius?" called a voice. Standing nearby was the same angel who had brought the news. "You wanted to see the child, didn't you?"
"Yes," nodded Ladius, "but I must stay here."
"My name is Gabriel," said the angel. "Your sheep will be watched. Take my hand, and bring your blanket. The child may need it."
Suddenly, Ladius was outside a stable. Kneeling by a manger were his brothers. Ladius started to call out, but the angel lifted a finger to his lips.
"Give me the blanket," Gabriel whispered. The angel took it and quietly covered the baby. But the blanket was no longer faded. Now it glistened like dew in the brilliance of a new day. Returning, Gabriel squeezed Ladius's hand: "Your gift was best, because you gave all that you had.
"Wake up, Ladius, wake up!" The boy rubbed his eyes and tried to shield them from the glaring sun. Hovering over him was Samuel.
"Did you find him?" asked Ladius.
"Yes," replied Samuel, "but first tell me why you were sleeping without your blanket."
Ladius looked about with wonder. The faded blue blanket was nowhere to be found--then, or thereafter.