An Animal Parable Christian Story For Christmas
Throughout Scandinavia at Christmas, the people place sheaves of grain, and now seeds out for the birds to eat. In Norway, the sheaf is known as a Julenek (Christmas Sheaf). It is called a Julkarve in Sweden. The custom, or variations of this, have spread throughout Scandinavia. The sheaves are often tied with colorful cloth and become part of Christmas decorations outside the home. Tradition suggests that by placing the sheaves outside to feed the birds, it would keep them out of the barn and away from the families supply of grain. And if the birds eat from your sheaf, it means a better harvest for the future.
My belief was that there was more to this story. So with this custom in mind, Mette’s Christmas Miracle was born. In my story, Mette is a young sparrow. During an extremely bad Norwegian Winter, her faith was rewarded and her flock saved. I truly hope you enjoy this story, and your family is Blessed by it. And don’t forget the birds at Christmas.
Click the following link for Author Commentary on this story.
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NLT
Mette’s Christmas Miracle – A Christian Story For Kids
By Harrison Woodard
A long time ago there was a flock of sparrows. They lived near a small farming village in Norway.
Just before Christmas it started snowing. For two whole days a great blizzard covered everything with snow, making it impossible for the birds to find food.
The flock began to worry.
“What are we going to do? With all this snow, we will never find anything to eat,” said Markus.
“Maybe we should have flown south with the other birds,” said Lina.
“We’ve had some tough Winters before and made it. We will survive this one as well,” said Jonas, one of the older sparrows.
26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they?
Matthew 6:26 AMP
Mette listened to the older birds discuss their situation. If Jonas was not worried, she wouldn’t worry either. She found a warm spot and fell asleep.
During the next two days, they had more snow, and the temperature continued to drop. The flock became even more concerned.
“I don’t understand. The weather has never been this bad for so long. I don’t know if we will make it,” said Jonas.
Now that Jonas was starting to worry, even Mette was concerned. Before she went to bed she asked God for help.
“Dear God, I know you will provide all we need. Thank you for protecting us,” prayed Mette.
29 Are not two little sparrows sold for a penny? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s leave (consent) and notice. 30 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, then; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:29-31 AMP
The next day the birds flew around the village. It was a dismal sight. The snow was everywhere, making it impossible to find anything to eat.
“Jonas, what will we do?” asked Markus.
“Will the snow ever go away?” asked Lina.
“I think we are in trouble. Even if there is no more snow, it may be weeks before we can find any food. The snow will be too deep. It will cover everything,” said Jonas.
All the birds were very sad. There didn’t seem to be any hope.
9 He gives food to the wild animals and feeds the young ravens when they cry. 10 He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. 11 No, the LORD’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Psalm 147:9-11 AMP
Mette listened to everything the other birds said. As the youngest in her flock, she rarely would say anything. But she knew she had to say something.
“Don’t you believe God will take care of us?” asked Mette. “He has always given us everything we needed. Why wouldn’t He keep His promise now?”
The other birds admired Mette’s faith, but did not believe God could save them. All they could do was worry and complain about their current situation.
“Mette, God has many things He has to do. He can’t always save us. Sometimes it is up to us to save ourselves,” said Jonas.
The other birds agreed.
Mette thought about what Jonas said.
“God, that just doesn’t make any sense,” she prayed softly. “I know that you will supply everything we need. I am going to trust YOU and not the other sparrows.”
The next day was Christmas Eve. It snowed some more overnight and it was the coldest day of the month. There was no food to be found, and no reason for the flock to even leave their tree.
The sparrows gathered together to discuss their options.
“I don’t think I can last another day,” said Markus. “I’m very hungry.”
“Me too,” added Lina. “Isn’t there something we can do?”
“I am out of ideas,” said Jonas.
They had lost all hope.
1 Why do bells at Christmas ring?
Why do little children sing?
Once a lovely shining star
Seen by wise men from afar,
Gently moved until its light
Made a manger cradle bright.
2 There a darling baby lay,
Pillowed soft upon the hay;
And the mother sang and smiled,
This is Christ, the Holy Child!
Therefore bells at Christmas ring;
Therefore little children sing.
Eugene Field (1850–1895)
Off in the village they could here Church bells ringing. The sparrows listened to the music. It was beautiful. For a brief moment, the flock forgot their trouble. After the bells stopped, the birds sat in silence.
And Mette said, “Did you hear the bells? This is Christmas Eve. The night God gave His Son. If He is willing to give His own son, He will certainly provide our food.”
The other sparrows wanted to believe, but all they could see was the snow. How could God help them?
“Markus, do you believe?” asked Mette.
Markus thought for a second, “I really want to believe.”
That night, Mette bowed her head and prayed, “God, thank you for giving Jesus to the world. I know that you love my flock and will provide everything we need.”
Mette found a warm spot in the tree and fell asleep.
It was another long and cold night.
The next morning, Markus was the first to wake up. He felt the warm sun on his feathers and took off on a short flight to stretch his wings.
The snow had stopped and it was a sunny Christmas morning. Markus flew over the village and was surprised by what he saw. He immediately flew back to the tree.
“Mette! Wake up! It’s a miracle!” shouted Markus. “Everyone, come quickly,”
Soon the whole flock was following Markus toward the village.
The Julenek (Christmas Sheaf)
Far over in Norway’s distant realm,
That land of ice and snow,
Where the winter nights
are long and drear,
And the north winds fiercely blow,
From many a low-thatched cottage roof,
On Christmas eve, ’tis said,
A sheaf of grain (julenek) is hung on high,
To feed the birds o’erhead.
In years gone by, on Christmas eve,
When the day was nearly o’er,
Two desolate, starving birds flew past
A humble peasant’s door.
“Look! Look!” cried one, with joyful voice
And a piping tone of glee:
“In that sheaf there is plenteous
food and cheer,
And the peasant had but three.
One he hath given to us for food,
And he hath but two for bread,
But he gave it with smiles and blessings,
‘For the Christ-child’s sake,’ he said.”
Anonymous
During the night, the villagers placed sheaves of wheat outside their homes. There was plenty of food for everyone. Barn doors, gables, and gateways throughout the village were decorated with grain. There would be plenty of food for all the birds.
“Just like you said Mette, God provides everything we need!” said Markus.
That day the sparrows celebrated Christmas by feasting on all the food they found. Never again would they ever doubt God’s love. His eyes truly are on the sparrows, and all who love Him.
And to this day, in villages throughout Scandinavia, people place food out for the birds at Christmas. No human knows exactly why this custom started. But God knows. He was responding to the faith of a little sparrow named Mette.
THE END
Interested In Another Christian Story For kids?
Free Christmas Stories For Christian Children – More stories like this.
Animal Parable Bible Stories – All your favorite Bible stories as told by the animals that were there.
Christian Christmas – Celebrating The Birth Of Jesus – Everything about Christmas plus links to much more!
Scandinavian Christmas Sheaf Customs
Christmas In Lapland Image courtesy of Vichaya Kiatying-Angsulee / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Christian Sheaf Meme – Origin unknown (Would love to acknowledge the photographer)
Sparrow Meme And Other Images courtesy of Harrison Woodard
Search for Other Christian Web Sites.