“While Shepherds Watched” is a children’s picture book written to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child. Today Matthias turns eight, and he gets to go out into the fields to take care of the sheep tonight. He’s looked forward to this for a long time. As he heads out to take his place, it gets dark quickly, and he’s a little bit nervous. As he watches the sheep huddle together for warmth, he notices that one of the ewes is standing apart from the rest. John, who is four years older than Matthias, explains that the ewe will deliver … Continue reading →

Christmas Eve has come to the north woods, and thick snow covers everything, making it sparkle in the moonlight. Bear Noel has his heavy pack over his shoulder as he makes his way through the snow, bringing gifts to all the animals in the woods. The wolf and the hare peep out of their dens, each of them eagerly awaiting Bear Noel’s arrival. “He is coming!” they both say, their ears perking at the sound of paws in the snow. The fox and the boar join them in their wait. Now they can hear the jingle of bells and merry … Continue reading →

Tomorrow is Christmas and the children are excited, but Manja is worried. She doesn’t have anything special to serve her children for Christmas dinner. They have beans, but she wants to prepare a nice roast or something that will truly make the day a celebration. She asks Simon, her husband, to go hunting or fishing, anything that will add to the meal. They don’t have money to buy anything. Simon doesn’t think he’ll be able to find anything on such a cold and snowy day, and he’s right. After wandering around for hours, he still has no meat. He doesn’t … Continue reading →

This small children’s picture book captures some of the magic of that first Christmas night. A new star appeared in the sky, waking up all the sleeping creatures. Bear was first to wake up. The star shone down, glistening on his black fur and touching him, singing, “Bethlehem!” He yawned and stretched, wondering what it all meant. Next was Badger. The light from the star shone down his tunnel and lit up his home, guiding him up to the surface, all the while singing, “Bethlehem!” Skunk and Raccoon, living near each other in similar burrows, were awakened when the light … Continue reading →