“Oh, what a lovely scene!” the little angel exclaimed, flapping his wings in delight as his two friends joined him. Love, Joy and Peace were Christmas angels and they had been sent to earth for the first time! It had snowed just in time for Christmas eve, and the earth sparkled in the moonlight. Children were busy making snowmen and snow angels and Love, Joy and Peace couldn’t resist joining them!
“I never imagined earth would be this beautiful!” exclaimed Joy as he took in the scene. “Come, let’s check out some homes – I’m sure they’ll be even more spectacular,” said Peace and they flew into the part of the city where stately homes had the brightest lights, the most beautiful stars and tall, towering Christmas trees decorated with ornaments of gold and silver. The angels were now at a gated community that also had the most life-like manger scene crafted in marble, and its private winter wonderland, complete with Santa Claus.
Seemingly perfect Everything looked perfect and it was such a happy scene that the angels felt like breaking into song. But when they began to sing, they realised they couldn’t!
“Oh my, what’s happening!” exclaimed Joy.
“Something’s not quite right,” cried out Peace.
“I know what’s missing,” said Love. “They are having the most wonderful Christmas that money can buy, but they have forgotten the reason for the season! No one seems to remember that first Christmas more than two thousand years ago. Isn’t Christmas all about reaching out to the needy and sharing our love with the less fortunate? Where is that?”
“No wonder there is no real peace and joy here,” said Peace. “I see so much hatred and greed in people’s hearts. Money and selfish pleasures are all they seem to care about… surely this is no place for Christmas!”
Disappointed, Love, Joy and Peace decided to go back. And as they flew through the winter sky with gloomy faces, they met the angel of Hope.
“Why are you returning so soon?” asked Hope.
“There is no real Christmas out there,” said Love. “Having a jolly good time is all they seem to care about.”
“Well, all is not lost,” said the Angel Hope. “I will take you to where Christmas is celebrated just as it ought to be.”
They flew to a little town where people had gathered around a brightly lit Christmas tree. The angels were delighted to see children singing and having a good time.
“How beautiful!” exclaimed Joy. “Let’s join them to find out what they’re doing.” They saw the children enact the birth of Christ – with Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, shepherds, wise men and of course, angels! And then they shared the gifts they had brought, with less fortunate children who had come to watch their play. The three angels were so delighted, they joined the children and sang carols.
It was a beautiful, meaningful Christmas, not just for the children, but for the angels too!
GAME:
Solution:
Sparkled; Moonlight; Pleasure; Sharing; Beautiful
The angels felt Hopeful
