Rachel and Eva ran in all excited

“Lauren,” Eva and Rachel asked together, “our mommies say Christmas is coming. Tell us about Christmas?”

“Christmas is a wonderful time. It’s trees and lights and stars and presents. Most important of all it is the birthday of Jesus.”

“Can we give Jesus presents and a birthday cake and a birthday party?” Eva said breathlessly. She and Rachel were becoming more and more excited!

“Well, sort of. In the Bible it says whatever we do for each other is the same as we do it for Jesus. Jesus is in heaven, so we give each other presents and that’s the same as giving them to Him. We do many special things for Christmas. We have fruitcake.”

“Is that Jesus’ favorite?” Rachel asked.

“Well, He made all the fruit. So I guess it is. We open presents on Christmas morning. Everyone is so happy. Daddy put up a tree with twinkly lights to remind us of the stars in the sky. He put the big star on the top to remind us of the star that led the Wisemen to Jesus.”

“What are wisemen?”  Rachel asked.

“Wisemen are very, very smart. God told them to follow the star to Jesus and bring them presents. God knew they would need them when they moved to Egypt.”

“Where was Jesus born?” Eva questioned.

“Let me show you.” Lauren reached for her children’s Bible and opened to the Nativity page. She showed  the picture to the girls.

“This is where Jesus was born. It’s called a stable and it is where the animals live. The king ordered Jesus’ mommy and daddy to come to Bethlehem, but so many people were ordered  there that there was no room for them so they slept in the stable and then, when Jesus was born, they used the manger for His bed.”

“Can we go there?” the girls asked together.

“No, that was a long time ago. Jesus is in heaven, and the stable isn’t there anymore.” 

“Oh dear,” both girls sighed

But suddenly Lauren was very excited. “We can go see Santa Claus! He’s the one that brings all the presents for Christmas! Would you like to go visit his toy factory. We can see where his elves make all the toys Santa delivers on  Christmas Eve.