Grandma Vera's Stories (6)
Frederic was a wooden nutcracker that was made by hand over l00 years
ago in a little village in Germany. He stood very erect and tall, as if
at attention. His brightly colored uniform with shiny braid and buttons
painted on drew your attention to him.
There are many kinds of nutcrackers. Some with added parts like fishing
poles for fishermen, drums for a drummer,a pirate with a hook for a
hand, and some with real fabric clothes.
When Frederic was young most nutcrackers were soldiers and very proud
to
really crack nuts. He had seen the others come and go, their extra
parts made them fragile so they had to be handled with care and were not
strong enough to really crack nuts.
He lived with the same family from the time he was made. Most of the
year he was on a shelf in a cabinet, but at Christmas he was always on
alert near a bowl of nuts. He was the center of attention on a large
coffee table in the room with the Christmas tree and nativity scene. He
could hear all the Christmas carols being sung and watch all the
presents being opened.
He didn't need batteries like most of the toys do now. Some of the new
toys would tease him, calling him old fashioned. But he never went out
of favor with the family. He was part of their Christmas long after the
fancy toys had been outgrown.
He had watched babies grow to men and become fathers and
grandfathers in
the family. He was always part of their Christmas tradition.
But this year something new was happening. Father announced that they
would do something to remind them of the reason for all the Christmas
celebration
So, one evening, they gathered near the coffee table and in came Mama
with a birthday cake with candles lit. We are celebrating Jesus'
birthday and our gift to him should be our prayers, not just today, but
every day, Father declared. Frederic watched as Father declared we
should all be soldiers for Christ against evil.
It was the best Christmas Frederic had ever seen. Now he knew why
Christmas was so special.
This time when he returned to the cabinet after Christmas he was a
symbol of honor to God and country.
Merry Christmas and
Happy Birthday, Jesus
Grandma Vera's Stories 2005