The children had been with Grandpa and Grandma two whole weeks. They were almost half-way through their holiday, and the thought of going back to school didn't please Thomas or Bethan at all, they would much rather stay in the country - just doing what they liked!
'Can we come again at Christmas?' they asked one morning.
'We will have to see what Mummy and Daddy say' Grandpa answered.
'I know! Let's have Christmas tonight' said Bethan. 'Just in case we can't come.’
'What a funny idea' Thomas said, looking quite puzzled at his sister.
'It's a good one though' Bethan insisted. 'And we can have a Christmas story too.’
Grandpa and Grandma looked at each other. 'Why not' agreed Grandma. 'Come on, Grandpa, let's get the decorations out - for the sitting room only, though!'
Within minutes the children were sorting the decorations deciding which ones they would use and Grandpa began transforming the room into a Christmas Grotto. It was Christmas! 'I'll make a special supper' said Grandma entering fully into the Christmas spirit. 'And you had better prepare a Christmas story, Grandpa.'
They all laughed. What a thing to do - have Christmas in the summer, but, as Grandma had said - 'Why not?!’
By the time it was storytime they had had a wonderful day. They had pulled crackers left over from Christmas, worn funny hats, played games, and Grandma had even bought them a little present! Yes!, it had been a brilliant day, and now it was storytime.
'Have you a Christmas story, Grandpa?' asked Thomas.
'I have indeed' Grandpa replied. ‘A Christmas story - by a little mouse.’
'Oh, how lovely' said Bethan.
'Let's eavesdrop on the animals' Grandpa said. 'And hear what they are saying.'

The animals had all finished their evening meal and were resting contentedly in the warm sunshine on the straw in the stable.
Every now and then a satisfied sigh could be heard.
After a while a chirpy young sparrow on the rafters said 'I think it must be time for our story now, don't you?'
The old Donkey, lying on the straw, turned a weary head towards the sparrow. 'Oh, you young ones are always so restless, but I suppose it is about time we started on our stories' so, easing himself into a more comfortable position, he looked at the other animals who were all gazing expectantly at him.
It was their favourite time of the day, and they looked forward eagerly to their storytime.
'Well now' said Donkey, 'Whose turn is is tonight?'
At once an excited chatter broke out. The sparrows began talking to the pigeons, the mice were squeaking together in a corner, and the lambs and a goat were arguing as to whose turn it was to speak.
'Quiet, everyone'. The Donkey's voice was heard above the noise.The chatter stopped, and turning to the mice he said 'I think it's about time we had a story from one of you, don't you think?'
'Yes, that's just what we were saying' three little mice spoke at once.
'Grandma has a wonderful story, haven't you Grandma?’
’Then may we hear it please?’ asked Donkey.
Grandma mouse blushed with pleasure at the thought of sharing her wonderful story, and so she began.
'I can tell you the most exciting thing that ever happened to me. It was just as we were going out for supper one evening. I was very young at the time, and lived in a stable much like this with my parents and brothers and sisters. Suddenly the door opened, and in came a man and a woman. They looked very tired, and sank down wearily on to the straw. I didn't take much notice as Father called that it was time to leave. So I left the stable and when I returned a few hours later I got the surprise of my life.' Grandma mouse paused and looked at the other animals. They all loved this part of their story, the part where Jesus came into it, and a murmur of excitement went round the stable.
'I suppose I had better tell you. You would never guess' said Grandma. 'There was a tiny baby in the manger!'
'A baby' 'A baby’! 'Oh, how lovely' said a dove softly cooing with delight.
'Did you see the baby?' asked one of the pigeons.
'Yes, I did, later in the evening' Grandma replied. 'My Mum told us to settle down, and go to sleep. She said we mustn't chatter or we would wake the baby, but,' and Grandma chuckled, 'I'm glad I didn't sleep' she said. 'I lay with one eye open in case I missed anything!'
The animals all laughed. They knew each other very well, and the inquisitive little noses of the mice were well known to them.
'No sooner had my brothers and sisters fallen asleep' she continued good-naturedly, not minding their laughter in the least, 'Than in came some shepherds, and they knelt before the baby and worshipped Him. Then they told the baby's parents, whose names I knew by then - Mary and Joseph - that angels had appeared to them on the hills singing praises to God and telling them that the Saviour of the world had been born in Bethlehem in a stable and would be lying in a manger.
The animals were amazed, they were astounded. They all knew by now that the baby was Jesus, BUT to think their wonderful Lord was born in a stable!!
Donkey was thrilled, he hadn't known that his Master had been born in a house like his. He looked round his home seeing it with fresh eyes. In Bethlehem a stable, just like his, had been Jesus' home too. He felt proud and humble, happy and sad, such a jumble of feelings. But most of all he felt Love, and a few tears began to roll down his cheeks. He sniffled, and Grandma, seeing how her story was affecting her friend, hastily, but gently began speaking again. 'The shepherds said they had decided to walk into Bethlehem and see this wonderful thing for themselves. They gave the baby a tiny lamb to play with and then they left, praising God for the Gift of His Son.’
The lambs were thrilled now. Of course, what better gift could you possibly give a baby than a tiny, warm, cuddly lamb. What a wonderful story this was turning out to be.
Even Crow was silent, not making any trouble!
'What a super story' said Mr. Dog.
'Oh, it isn't finished yet' broke in Grandma hurriedly. 'I think my story must be the longest because it's in two parts. Shall I leave the second part until tomorrow?' she asked.
'No! No!' the animals cried. 'We can't wait until tomorrow! Tell us now, please.’
Grandma was delighted. She could see how much they loved her story so she continued. 'I was still thinking of the shepherds and their amazing story when the stable door opened again, and in came' .......Grandma paused, and took a few deep breaths, her eyes shining with joy as she remembered.
The animals were getting very excited now 'What HAD happened?' they wondered.
Impatiently they waited, then Grandma, after a final deep breath, said quietly. 'Three wise men came in wearing the most beautiful clothes and carrying gifts for the baby.’
'Look Mummy' I shouted. 'Just look.’
'Ssh! Ssh! my Mother said. 'Don't breathe a word.’ She, too, was almost speechless at what was happening.
‘I could see everything that was happening very clearly as the stable was brilliant from the light of an enormous star which was just above the stable. I had never seen one like it before then I heard the wise men say that this Star had led them to the very stable where Jesus was. They had actually followed it from their own country many many miles away.’
The animals shook their heads in wonderment. Their Heavenly Father had made a 'special' star to show the wise men the way!
‘I waited' continued Grandma, 'And saw the wise men give the baby their presents. I heard them say they had brought Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. I whispered to my Mother that I thought they were strange gifts for a baby.’
'Not for this baby.’ 'Not for Jesus.’ The voice came from a dark corner of the rafters. It was wise Owl who was shaking his head solemnly. 'He is very special. King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.'
The animals nodded quietly in agreement as Grandma continued. 'I felt very humble as I realised that I was in the presence of the Messiah, God's Son.' Her soft voice tailed away into silence, a silence shared by the others.
They had all seen and heard Jesus at one time or another. But to have seen Him as a baby, that really was something special. Grandma spoke again. 'After a while the wise men left, and I could see their gifts on the floor by the manger. I so wanted to give Jesus a gift, too, but what could I give? I had nothing.' Grandma looked a little sad at this point, but cheered up as she said 'I decided to give Jesus the only thing I had - my bed, my sweet smelling straw. So I picked up a few strands and ran over to the manger. I could hear my Mother calling me, but' and Grandma gave a naughty little chuckle ' I took no notice! I climbed up on to the manger and placed the straw around the baby.’
Her face was radiant as she looked at the others and said 'The baby opened His eyes - and He smiled at me. He knew I had given Him everything I had. I snuggled up to him, only for a second, to show Him how much I loved Him, and as He looked at me I knew He loved me too.'
'Oh, mouse' whispered the dove, rapidly blinking his eyes. He could get no further.
The others understood.
Quite a few little paws were dabbing at eyes. Taking a deep breath Grandma continued her story.
'I ran back quickly to my parents who were not at all pleased with me, but I knew, and Jesus knew, that something very special had happened.’
'You are a very special person, mouse' said Donkey at last. 'You were there at the very first Christmas, and gave Jesus your gift.’
'But we can all bring Jesus our gifts' said the dove who had by now regained his composure. 'We can give Him our love.'
'Yes, and that is the best gift of all' Donkey agreed.
The peace and joy of that first Christmas seemed to fill the stable. No-one moved, they were content to rest, knowing that Jesus loved them, and they loved Him too.
Elizabeth Aynsley 1996 ©

Luke CH.2 Vs.1 to 20 and Matthew CH.2 Vs. 1 to 12