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Annual Christmas story

Tyler receives a special present

Editor’s note: This is Chapter 11 of a 12-part fictional Christmas tale. Parents are encouraged to read aloud with their children. On the afternoon of Christmas Eve, Anna sat at the kitchen table watching snow fall in fat, fluffy flakes as she tried to calm the butterflies in her stomach. All day long, she’d been alternating between excitement and worry about giving Tyler his Christmas gift. She’d had no choice but to involve both her dad and Tyler’s mom. When Anna told her dad about what she wanted to do, he didn’t hesitate in jumping in to help. “That’s a wonderful ...

Tyler receives a special present

Editor’s note: This is Chapter 11 of a 12-part fictional Christmas tale. Parents are encouraged to read aloud with their children. On the afternoon of Christmas Eve, Anna sat at the kitchen table watching snow fall in fat, fluffy flakes as she tried to calm the butterflies in her stomach. All day long, she’d been alternating between excitement and worry about giving Tyler his Christmas gift. She’d had no choice but to involve both her dad and Tyler’s mom. When Anna told her dad about what she wanted to do, he didn’t hesitate in jumping in to help. “That’s a ...

The joy in making a difference

Editor’s note: This is Chapter 10 of a 12-part fictional Christmas tale. Parents are encouraged to read aloud with their children. Tyler watched as Anna quickly exited back into the storeroom, confusion on his face. “What were you doing in there?” he asked. Anna shrugged. “It opened and I just stepped a couple feet inside,” she said, trying not to sound like she was hiding something. “It didn’t show you anything?” Anna absolutely hated keeping anything from him, especially this, but she couldn’t tell him the truth. Not just yet. “I’m sure it’s waiting ...

An opportunity to help a friend

Editor’s note: This is Chapter 9 of a 12-part fictional Christmas tale. Parents are encouraged to read aloud with their children. The morning before Christmas Eve, Anna waited in the store room for Tyler. She stood several feet from the door, marveling at how much her life had changed in just a few short weeks. She had always been full of Christmas spirit, but since the door had revealed itself, she understood now more than ever the importance of giving and not receiving, of really paying attention to who may be in need. She hoped the trip today would be extra special, because ...

Children and cookies warm a heart

Editor’s note: This is Chapter 8 of a 12-part fictional Christmas tale. Parents are encouraged to read aloud with their children. “I’ve always thought he seemed incredibly lonely,” Anna’s mom said, snapping the lid on the cookies. “Even if he has trouble showing it, I’m sure he’ll appreciate this.” “I hope so,” Anna said, taking the cookies. Her mom had smiled and agreed that Anna’s idea to take cookies to Mr. Banks was a great idea. She was used to her daughter’s spontaneous plans and ideas, and so she hadn’t much questioned Anna’s motivations beyond ...

Children strive to keep spreading joy

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is Chapter 7 of a 12-part fictional Christmas tale. Parents are encouraged to read aloud with their children. It hadn’t been hard to find Rosie’s cherished little stuffed dog. He’d been right where they’d last seen him — slightly squashed from being shoved behind so many boxes, but no worse for wear. Anna wanted to return Scruffy in person, but Tyler convinced her to turn him into the customer service desk. “Think how happy she’ll be to get that phone call,” he said. “If we tried to return it ourselves, how would we ever explain how we knew ...