That first Christmas was long ago. It can be difficult to remember how we once viewed this resplendent season. Have we lost that sense of awe and wonder in our busy lives? To return to that whimsical magic, let us hear Christmas through the eyes of a child.
We’ll visit their perception of what the three wise men brought that holy night.
This young man thought “The wise men brought coconut oil which was made of coconut, some sweets and some gold.” Then we have Jay, five: “The three wise men brought Jesus presents of gold, frankincense, smurr and silver. But I think he would have preferred wrestling toys.”
Daniel, seven, states “I know for his birthday he got money and gold from the wise men but I would have given him a Liverpool kit.”
Dominic, six, admits: “I don’t know what the three wise men brought Jesus but I would have given him a tin of cookies. I think Mary, Joseph and Jesus would have all liked a cookie.”
Wise Rebecca who is five: “They brought Jesus gold and myrrh but I would have brought him a nice warm blanket.”
William, seven, is into what is more important: “I don’t know what presents the wise men brought Jesus but a Lego set would have been better.”
Sympathetic Ellie, five: “The three wise men brought Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh – no real presents. I feel sorry for him.” But another Ellie, six, had somewhat of an idea of what happened that night: “When he was born three kings brought him gold, coins and a sheep.”
She at least knew what animals might have been there when baby Jesus was born. Matthew, six, however, had a much different version: “There were sheep, horses and a crocodile outside the stable.”
Ruby, six, could even detail all this out: “At his birth there were oxens, a donkey, three camels, three birds – all white – and three cats, all black.” Suppose he had a glimpse into the past?
Hannah, seven, is very practical: “There was a donkey, a sheep and cow there as well as Mary and Joseph. It sounds quite crowded.”
Megan, six, must have been paying attention, sorta: “The animals who were there in the stable were oxens, donkey, cats and a lamb.”
Valente, six, definitely paid attention with a social outlook: “There were camels, donkeys and cows around the stable and the wise men went to the manger to say hello to Jesus.”
It becomes really interesting when you ask more involved questions, such as who was the Angel Gabriel?
Erin, six, definitely has a different perspective: “The Angel Gabriel is a big white fairy. He helped Mary and Joseph look after the baby – kind of like a doctor.”
Jay, five, livens up the scene: “There was also an angel called Gabriel, whose favourite thing was to fly around all day.”
Molly, six, must have some insight or at least we probably know what Angel Gabriel wears in their Christmas play: “Angel Gabriel was also there and he has yellow wings and a white costume.”
Millie, seven, at least is honest: “I don’t know who the angel is but I like Jesus.”
Katherine, nine, could be considered observant and frank: “Gabriel was this herald angel. He was a boy but he’s played by a girl in Christmas plays.”
Hollie, seven, sees perhaps some of the magic: “The Angel Gabriel is a fairy that God sent to help us.”
Now we get closer to who exactly is Jesus. Jay, five: “Jesus was a king and he wore a crown even though he was a baby. It was a really small crown.”
Antonia, seven, knows her stuff: “Jesus is Mary and God’s little boy.”
Molly, six, definitely sees history from a world-wide approach: “Jesus was a newborn king – but there were a lot of newborn kings so he wasn’t the only one.”
Zoe, six, guess has this birthday down pact: “Jesus is really old and his birthday was on Christmas 2007 years ago.”
Sara, seven, must read: “Jesus is a mystery man.” Sarves, seven, has been listening: “Jesus is the God of the Christians.”
Why do we celebrate Christmas? These children bring the reality of Christmas. Ellyshia, nine, definitely has a mind of his own: “I am not really a Christian. I believe in unicorns and pixies.”
Ben, seven, at least believes in part of the spirit of Christmas: “We celebrate Christmas because Santa comes and gives us lots and lots of presents.”
For those who wondered where Jesus was born? Alexie, five: “Baby Jesus was born in a stable made out of hay with string around it.” Then there is Erin, six: “Jesus was born in the stable – it had lots of hairs.”
Daniel, seven, nails it: “He was born in a stable where Mary and Joseph stayed. There were chickens, cows and a donkey. I don’t remember any more.”
Charlie, four, “He was born in a stable a long way away from here in another country. Bethlehem – it’s in England.”
Ellyshia, nine gives us alternatives: “Jesus was born in a barn, a shed or barn anyway. Or it might have been a stable, one of the three.”
Maybe we need to be clearer on who are Jesus’ parents. Charlie, four: “Jesus’s mummy and daddy are called Jovis and Mary.” Ansel, six: ‘Jesus’s parents were Gods.’
And so, it came to pass a long, long, very long time ago — maybe 100 or even 300 years ago, according to the experts in first grade — Jesus was born in a stable with some cows and a sheep …
“And a dog by him when he was born,” said Seth. “There was just a cow and a donkey when baby Jesus was born,” Tom corrected. “And the cow and the donkey were curious about what it was and looked over and saw the little baby and stayed there.”
One class explained that the season revolves around the birth of this baby, which was something people had longed for. “There were people waiting by a window for years and years. And God promised to send a savior. And he sent us Jesus,” Seth said.
But like many theologians, the children debated the nature of Jesus. “Baby Jesus? He’s going to be God,” Anthony said. “Not God,” corrected Azaria. “He is the child of God.” Maybe they have the spirit: God, or son of God, either one, Jesus’ coming brings joy, they agreed.
“Jesus is a very special person to some people,” Seth said. “Because he was the one who made the animals and people. He made all kinds of stuff, and some people are happy about that.”
“The Bible tells us that Jesus loves us,” Seth said. “And that’s important because he loves us more than anything in the world,” Tom said.
“Like today? We were driving from my house, and I saw a dead bunny rabbit,” Seth said. “And that makes God sad because he made that, and it was a special thing.”
So, into this world of dead bunnies and curious cows came Jesus. But he was born in an unusual place for a human baby. “He was born in a stable,” said Jairus Rice. “In Israel, I think,” Seth said. “It was a magical stable.”
And Jesus was born in this magical stable instead of a house because there wasn’t any room left for them anywhere else, said Hannah.
And shepherds came. “To gather ’round,” Anthony said softly. “And angels,” Hannah said. “God sent angels, and angels send messages to people,” Anthony said.
We humans can’t see these angels “because they’re in heaven, and we’re not in heaven yet,” William said. “But they fly down,” Hannah said.
After the birth, the baby had more visitors, they said. “Then guys with camels, saviors, came to see the Baby Jesus,” Jairus said. “And to give him presents,” Anthony said. “Bread and wine,” Carson said. “And a leaf,” Hannah said.
“The Three Wise Men brought gifts to Jesus, so that’s why Santa Claus brings us gifts and toys,” Emily said. “And Santa Claus comes every Christmas — comes down your chimney, or your air vent if you don’t have one.”
Remember the magic. Remember the awe. Become a child at Christmas again.