“What about music?” Desiree asked.
“Yeah, are Christmas songs considered a tradition?” Tyler asked.
“They sure can,” Grandma said, “and to prove it, I bet you guys can remember the words to more Christmas songs than any other songs you know.”
“Really?” Belle said.
“Sure,” Grandpa said, “Who can tell the names of Santa’s eight reindeer?”
Everyone raised their hand.
“No,” Grandpa said, “all together…let’s hear it.” “Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid, Donner and Blitzen.”
“That’s right,” Grandma said, “and how did you learn those names?”
“From the song?” Belle said.
“Exactly! From the lyrics.”
“That you’ve heard over and over every year since you were born,”
Grandpa interrupted. “But do you recall,” Grandma began to sing, “the most famous reindeer of all?” “Rudolph!” the children screamed in unison.
“And think about it,” Grandpa said, “that song was recorded by a man named Gene Autry in 1949.” He stopped to put on his mischievous grin. “Right around the time that your grandmother was graduating from high school.”
Grandma playfully slapped his arm again. “That’s not true.” “And kids just like you have been singing it ever since,” Grandpa added.
Grandma nodded. “Twenty years later, they made a television special about Rudolph, which we all watch together every year.”
“The one with the talking snowman?” Desiree asked. “That’s the one,” Grandpa said, smiling at Grandma, “and the snowman’s name is Burl Ives.” After a moment of silence, Grandma said, “Okay, so let’s hear the rest of it.”
“Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer, had a very shiny nose,” the children sang at the top of their lungs, “and if you ever saw it, you would even say it glows…”
“You know, Grandpa,” Jacob said, “I really am glad that we celebrate Christmas in America.”
And speaking of across the world, Steven has done the research for us and presents all types of holiday traditions from the many countries who have traditions that celebrate a special holiday for them. I loved hearing about all of them! Especially when there is a song I can learn...like this one!
“Whether you’re rich or poor,” the old lady added, “the best gifts in this world come straight from the heart.”
“I like Mexico,” Tyler exclaimed.
“You do…why?” Grandpa asked. “Tacos.”
Everyone laughed. Grandma went back to the big book. “Actually, the Mexican people have much more to offer than just delicious food.”
“Like what?” Belle asked. “Well, for starters, the Mexican people call Christmas, Navidad. They celebrate Christmas for nine days with a ritual called Las Pasdas. During this ritual, people dress as Mary and Joseph, and travel from house-to-house asking if Mary can stay the night. But they are always told that the inn is full.”
“That’s awful!” Sophie said.
“But then the door opens wide,” Grandpa explained, “and they’re all invited in for a party—with food, songs, and a pinata for the children.”
But the magic really starts in the second story called, Christmas Wishes." Wait, have to share a personal note as to why this story was so special... Did you all know that I collect music boxes?! And, on Christmas, my tradition is to pull out all of my various boxes related to Christmas...with the manger of Jesus right in the middle, of course...
The girls of the Howland Home for Orphaned Girls lay in their bunkbeds. Susan awoke and sat up in bed, her breathing heavily from a bad dream. “Oh Grandma,” she whispered, “I miss you so much.” Penelope also stirred from her sleep. Jumping down from her bunk, she sat beside Susan. “Everything okay?” she quietly asked.
“Can you tell me why good memories feel so painful here?” Susan asked, shaking her sad head. “My grandmother used to take me to dance classes.”
“I didn’t know you danced,” Penelope said.
Susan shrugged. “Because I don’t anymore.”
“Well, you should.”
“Why?” Susan asked, “do you feel the same way since they brought you here?”
Penelope shook her head. “Not really.” “How did you end up here?”
Penelope shrugged. “My parents were in a car accident and…” She stopped for a moment. “No one from my family was able to take care of me, so here I am.”
Susan threw her arm around Penelope. “Well, for whatever it’s worth, I’m glad you’re here.”
Smiling, Penelope wrapped her arm around Susan. “Ditto.”
After a long moment of silence, Susan said, “I just wish I could remember what everything was like before I came here. I’m starting to forget…”
“That happens to me sometimes,” Penelope admitted. “Just stop thinking so hard, and it will come to you.” Miss Sawyer entered the bedroom. “Okay ladies, it’s time for bed,” she whispered. “Two more days of school, and then we have a busy weekend of decorating.”
Without complaint, Susan and Penelope returned to their bunks. Smiling, Miss Sawyer returned to her own bedroom.
As everyone fell asleep, Penelope quietly got up. Reaching under their bunk bed, she opened a box and pulled out a snow globe. “Susan’s right,” Penelope whispered to herself. “I’d give anything to remember what Christmas was like with my family when we would go into town on Christmas Eve.” She closed her eyes tight. “I wish…” She shook the globe three times. “Oh, I wish…”
The world went black, before a shimmering portal appeared. Penelope hurried through.. • • •
The Christmas Village—within the giant globe—was decorated in... (you've just got to find out what happens!)
On Christmas morning, Penelope, Maggie, Susan, and Jen gathered around the orphanage’s Christmas tree. As Miss Sawyer handed out presents, they all laughed and celebrated together—singing Jingle Bells.
But the head elf was sooooo upset! Because, yes, Santa had decided to take Mrs. Claus on their first vacation ever...just a few months before Christmas!
Santa was so excited and so was Mrs. Claus! Her very first vacation! Santa was sure this was a perfect time because he had a great crew of elves to complete their work....he knew...just...in...time...
But, Baker, the head elf who was left in charge began to be different...he kept pushing them to meet their deadlines, so many toys per day...he would call out to anybody and everybody... All of the elves were so worried that they slowed down even more than they would usually be working! Making toys for all the good little boys and girls just wasn't as much fun as when Santa and Mrs. Claus (who made them cookies) were not here... They were sad...and even the toys were worried that there would not be enough made for every child!
Standing in the middle of Santa’s Workshop, Baker yelled, “You’d better ginger snap to it, Jake!” He gripped his clipboard tighter. “Mess up again,” he said, even louder, “and it’s off to the Island of Misfit Toys for you.”
Busy making toys, the elves sang, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer…” They were completely out of tune; it was very unusual. They not only sounded out of synch, their work was in utter chaos. Elves were bumping into each other; some toys were on the floor, while others were broken or not made right. The elves sang completely off tune. They were working so fast that they were messing up badly. There was no joy, only stress.
Baker paced the workshop floor like a prison guard. He approached Evan and inspected his work. “It looks like someone needs to lay off the hot cocoa and speed up production on the rocking horses, or there’s gonna be a lot of unhappy kids this year,” he said, shaking his head. “Stop acting like a South Pole elf,
Ev. You’re better than that.” Baker glared at the others.
“We all are.” Upset, Evan threw his work onto the bench. “You know what, I’ve about had it with your bullying, Baker!” He took a deep breath. “No one wants to do a better job than me, but this pace is ridiculous!” He became even more angry. “I haven’t had a cup of hot cocoa, a sugar cookie, or a candy cane in days.”
Evan looked at his short co-workers. “None of us have!” The elves shook their sad heads...
For the first time ever, the elves started singing a song that was just for the children! They really wanted Santa home! What would all the little "good" children think if they didn't get their presents!? They would think that nobody loved them any more! But we know that isn't true, right?!
Gabbie
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