Once there were two friend
who lived inside a church.
They worked with a preacher
and were always on a search
for ways to confuse him
which gave them many joys.
It also pleased the children
all the girls and boys.
Ken was a koala bear
from far around the world.
Geri was an orange germ
and sly comments he hurled
at the preacher every week
who was bald and fat.
These puppets were on his hands
while on a stool he sat.
Christmas was coming soon
and what were they to say
to the kids on that Sunday
not very far away.
They wanted something special
to tell the tale so old
so they had an idea
and man, it sure was bold.
They built their own time machine
to return to long ago.
It took many long days
because they worked real slow.
First time they tested it
there wasn’t enough power.
It only took them back
three quarters of an hour.
That did not defeat them
They tweeked it all the more.
Their second test they did
Went back three years or four.
When they were successful
and happy as could be
They went back to Bethlehem
to the first nativity.
First thing they saw
were some shepherds and their sheep.
It was late at night
and no one made a peep.
They also had some flowers
which didn’t seem to be right
but how else could they ever
watch their phlox by night?
Ken and Geri sat there
excited by the sight
when some angels appeared
as the skies became real bright.
It became as bright as day
as glory shown around
shepherds and sheep were silent.
You couldn’t hear a sound.
“Fear not,” said an angel
speaking boldly to the men
and then a host of angels
in great chorus began
to tell the greatest news
and they sang with much joy
about the birth to Mary
of a precious baby boy.
They told them where to go
to find that simple manger
and the shepherds set out
to find this special stranger.
So off to Bethlehem
this bunch of shepherds flew
and soon they filled the barn
for their own special view.
There was Mary and Joseph
And both of them just smiled
showing Jesus to the shepherds
that precious little child.
The sheep walked up to see
the baby in the manger
and everyone in that room
sensed there was no danger.
It was such a holy place
like they’d not seen before
They thought the world should see
so they opened wide the door.
The shepherds told Mary
the message the angels gave
about the baby Jesus
who came this world to save.
These words meant much to Mary
their message filled her heart
a priceless treasure for her
as she watched the men depart.
She watched as the shepherds left
followed by their sheep
and as she looked at Jesus
he laid there fast asleep.
After all the shepherds left
they decided they would tarry
to see what the impact was
for Joseph and for Mary
who said it was like a whirlwind
on the long trip from their town
and with the night’s excitement
they were glad to settle down.
Ken and Geri wanted to tell
how important this night would be
but they couldn’t share the future
and how it’s touched you and me.
So they left that peaceful place
And went where the shepherds were.
They had tried to settle down
but their lives were still a stir.
“Can you believe,” said one old man
“we’ve been allowed to see this thing?”
Another said, “they won’t believe
we have heard the angels sing!”
A little boy held a small lamb
so lovingly to his chest.
“though we’re just poor shepherds,” he said
“of all people we are so blessed.”
Ken and Geri couldn’t tell them
they’d be remembered to this day
as children clad in bath robes
would represent them in a play.
Though they were poorest of the poor
which in their day seemed so wrong
to believe they’d be heroes
in so many a Christmas song.
Ken and Geri quietly left
and in the time capsule they went
and moved it up a couple of years
and looked to see where they were sent.
A small house in front of them
with the parents and small boy.
You could see how much they loved him
he was their pride and joy.
They didn’t know a new surprise
was coming from far away
where wise men were on a long journey.
They were just watching Jesus play.
The wise men followed a bright star
by night and they slept by day
and they stopped for directions
as they traveled on their way.
They’d studied stars all their lives
but this star was a special thing.
They believed it would lead them
to a very special king.
Their question upset King Herod
who saw it as an awful threat.
The wise men were observant
and they saw he was upset.
They left the irate King Herod
and traveled many miles more.
Finally they came to the house
and gently knocked on the door.
Not since the shepherds’ visit
had this family heard big news
But the travelers from the East
asked to see the king of the Jews.
They presented all their presents
which they brought from far away.
They really weren’t children’s gifts.
They were not for him to play.
They gave expensive presents
of some frankincense, mhrrh and gold.
They let Jesus look at each gift
he could touch but couldn’t hold.
They climbed upon their camels
little Jesus ran behind.
Although he couldn’t say a word
he knew they’d been so kind.
Mary and Joseph waved to them
as they slowly rode away
then they smiled at each other
not knowing what they should say.
When the last camel disappeared
and little Jesus went inside
Ken and Geri climbed in the box
and started their long return ride.
It was only a few seconds
before they returned to today
and they were filled with excitement
because they had so much to say.
“That was better than the Bible,”
they confided in each other
and they ran to their relatives
including sister and brother.
They told them to pull up a chair
because it would take them a while
and as they wove their new story
each listener wore a big smile.
Today we repeat their story
an old story which is now new.
We hope it feels like you’ve been there
and we hope you are smiling too.
There have been many Christmases
since the one they got to see
and we hope this is a happy time
from Ken and Geri and from me.
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God bless you. Kathy
Cheers,
Dan
Georg