A Froggie Christmas By Ron Berry
Deep in the marshlands of the misty old bog,
just past the willow in the hollowed out log,
there lives a young fella who’s tiny and green,
the cutest little frog you ever have seen.
He’s so excited as Christmas draws near
and he’s about to learn about real Christmas cheer
“I am so excited! Tomorrow is Christmas.
My very first one.
I can’t wait to see all of my presents.
It’s going to be so much fun.” said Froggie
Then Froggie saw Molly the mouse dancing in ballerina clothes.
Leaping and prancing and then striking a pose.
“Hi, Molly. Why are you hopping and jumping about?
Are there ants in your pants you have to get out?,” asks Froggie
“No, silly, Froggie.
I’m dancing and if I get my way
Tomorrow, for Christmas
I’ll get a new dress and shoes for ballet.” replied Molly
“I hope to get a new back pack and some camping gear
for all the new adventures that we’ll go on next year.” said Froggie
“And I want a dolly who will cry and laugh.” said Molly
“And hiking boots and a hickory walking staff.” said Froggie
“And lots of crayons and books to color in.” said Molly
“And a pole and a line so I can go fishin’.” said Froggie
“But Christmas is still so far away.” said Molly
“I know what you mean. This is going to be a long day.” said Froggie
Froggie and Molly let out a great sigh
as they turned their eyes skyward looking up high.
“Look! Here comes Lanky. Wow! He just made a loop in the sky.
I didn’t know he could do that. He’s really learned how to fly.” said Froggie
Lanky came in for a landing gliding soft on the wind.
Molly and Froggie are glad to see their good friend.
“Hi guys. Did you see what I learned to do?
Isn’t it great! I just had to show you.” said Lanky the egret
“It was awesome and it really looked cool!” said Froggie
“Did you learn how to do it in flying school?” asked Molly
“Nope. It’s an early Christmas present from my Uncle Owlbert.
but he says I have to be careful so I don’t get hurt.” replied Lanky
“You mean you already got a Christmas present?
That doesn’t seem right.” said Molly
“Do you think I could try it with you
if I hold on real tight?” asked Froggie
“I think so if Uncle Owlbert says it’s okay.” answered Lanky
“How come you got a present before Christmas day?” asked Molly
“My Uncle Owlbert is only here for Christmas eve.
Right after dinner he said he had to leave.” replied Lanky
“It’s still not fair.
You should have had to wait.
I want my presents now.
This waiting stuff I hate.” said Molly
Just then something caught Froggie's eye
and he saw something amazing way up in the sky.
“Wow! Who’s that doing all that fancy flying?” asked Froggie
“That’s Uncle Owlbert. He calls it skying.” said Lanky
Uncle Owlbert came in for a landing to everyone’s applause
and took a deep bow that he held for a pause.
“Thank you. Thank you. You are all very kind.
Now for my next trick. I shall do it for you blind.” said Uncle Owlbert
Froggie and Lanky gasped and looked amazed.
but Molly held up her hand. She had a question to raise.
“Uncle Owlbert? There’s something I want to know.
Why did you give Lanky his present early?
Was it because you had to go?” asked Molly
“Why yes. Of course. It seemed only right.
I wanted to see his face
when he did his first loop in flight.” answered Uncle Owlbert
“Well, then do you have a gift you could give early to me?
I’m just so tired of looking at the presents under the tree.” asked Molly
“Molly!?” said Froggie and Lanky surprised.
“You can’t ask that. It’s not civilized.”
“It’s okay. I know what you’re going through.
Waiting for Christmas is a hard thing to do.
You’ve waited a whole year for this very special day
and you’re hoping for gifts, toys and games you can play.
But do you really know why Christmas is so great?
What makes it so special and worth all the wait?” asked Uncle Owlbert
“If it’s not the toys, then it must be all the food we can eat.
A feast on the table with all kinds of goodies and sweets.” said Froggie
“I think it’s about family and all the relatives that come by.
Especially you Uncle Owlbert when you teach me to fly.” said Lanky
“I just think it’s about the presents.
Yep, it's the presents. That makes sense.” said Molly
“It’s all of those things and so much more.
Christmas isn’t a gift you can buy at a store.
It’s a gift of grace from the Father above.
He gave his only son to show his love.” said Uncle Owlbert
“You mean it’s Jesus birthday
and God sent him to us to show us the way.” said Froggie
“That's right. He was born in a tiny manger stall
and as God’s son, he came to save us all.” said Uncle Owlbert
“Well, if it’s the birthday of Jesus,
why are all the presents given to us?” asked Lanky
“We give gifts to each other at this special time of year
to celebrate God’s love for us and to lift the spirits of those near.
But not everyone is as blessed as you or as me
and have plenty of presents under the tree.
Many have nothing and are just hoping to get by
Knowing that somehow on God they can fully rely.
Don’t get me wrong. Presents are great.
But they’re not the reason for Christmas we wait.” answered Uncle Owlbert
“I think I understand and it makes better sense.
Christmas is more than just getting presents.” said Molly
“It’s a time to give and not just to receive.” said Froggie
“It’s a time to help others learn to believe.” said Lanky
“Christmas is a celebration of God’s wonderful grace.
He gave us his son to see the smile on our face.
And now, Molly, I do have a special early Christmas gift for you
You can have it now, but there’s just one thing you must do.” said Uncle Owlbert
“I’m sorry, Uncle Owlbert. I was wrong before.
You don’t have to give me a present anymore.
But I would like to give a present to you.
All I have is a hug. I hope that will do.” said Molly
“That’s the best gift you can give anyone.
A gift from the heart is by far the most fun.
Now I would like to give all of you a gift.
It may just give your spirits a lift.
So, Molly, hop on my back and get ready to fly
We’re going to go do a big loop in the sky.
You too, Froggie. Don’t just stand there in shock.
Hop up on, Lanky. We’re all part of the same flock.” said Uncle Owlbert
So Froggie and Molly hopped up on their backs
and away they flew doing loops and circus acts.
And Christmas did come that very next day
and they each looked at it in a very special way.
Before they opened their gifts, they each said a prayer
remembering the reason why each gift was there.
The first Christmas present with a star as a bow
was the little Lord Jesus born in a manger low.
He came down to earth to fulfill God’s loving grace
So the Father above could see the smile on each face.
