Advent

Alas, I am so far behind in my blogging it's sad! I think I'm going to have to give up the missing weeks, and go forth with from today.

I have started writing my children an advent story. Since we are not Christian, we don't celebrate Christmas as the birth of Jesus (though we will talk about it at some point in the future in a secular way), but rather as a season of loving your family especially, but also your fellow man, and giving of yourself to bring joy to others. I wanted a story that I could share with my kids to bring this message across, but couldn't really find exactly what I wanted. So, I've decided to write a story for them. It's been so very long since I wrote any sort of stories, so I am a little rusty, but they are enjoying it so far. Each day in their advent cup (I've made little origami cups for each day, to fill with special little things for them - a chocolate here, a promise for a treat there, a holiday crafting project every few days... and one installment of their advent story) I just hope my message comes through to them. Anyway, I thought I would share it here as well! So here are parts 1 and 2.

1. When a fairy turns seven years old, he or she must decide what their job in life will be. Sometimes before they can join the other fairies, they have to learn about how to do their new job and why it is important work. This is the story of Saskia, a winter fairy, and her journey to be a Christmas fairy.

Deep in the far North Forest, there lived a family of fairies. Saskia was the youngest fairy in this particular family, and it so happened that today was her seventh birthday. Like all fairies before her, this birthday was a very important one, as it was the day she was to decide what kind of fairy she wanted to be.

When Saskia came down to the table for breakfast on the morning of her birthday, she found her whole family waiting there to greet her. “Happy Birthday!” they all shouted and then her father said, “And happy Choosing Day, Saskia. This is a very important day, the most important day of your life. Tell us, have you already decided what Winter job you will be? Perhaps you will be like your dear Mother and be a Snowflake Fairy?”

Saskia smiled around at the faces of her family and said, “I have chosen, Father. I want to be a Christmas Fairy.”

2. Saskia's family was surprised by her answer. They had all had different guesses about what Saskia would want to become, but none had guessed she would be a Christmas Fairy. Mother said, “Saskia, that is a very big job. Christmas Fairies have to go among the humans and spread good cheer and help them to find the meaning of Christmas in their hearts. But they still have to remain hidden all the while all. It is very hard to remain secret to the humans, but at the same time help them.”

“I know Mother, that seems to be the most fun job I can think of. I love Christmastime, and I would really like to be among the humans – I find them fascinating, strange, and beautiful.” Saskia answered.

“If you are sure, then, you must straight to Father Christmas and ask to join the Christmas fairies,” said Father. “After your breakfast, I will take you to the elf village where Father Christmas lives.”