It was Christmas Eve. Gabu and Mei were decorating their cave for the Holidays, while singing carols.
“Oh, boy! I love Christmas!” Mei said. “It’s my favorite time of the year!”
“Mine, too!” Gabu said. “I love the presents, the colors and the food!”
“I love it, too! But remember, Christmas is not just about that.”
“Really? There’s more?”
“Plenty! Now, come on! Let’s go find ourselves a tree!”
Gabu and Mei took a walk through the woods to find the perfect Christmas tree.
“So, Mei…” Gabu said. “What’s Christmas truly about? Is it about hanging out with friends, family and loved ones?”
“Well, yes! But there’s something more important.” Mei said.
“What is it? Is it that red dressed guy who gives gifts to all kids who behave?”
“Nope! It’s about a very important event which happened a long, long time ago.”
Suddenly, Mei saw a tree she liked.
“Look, that tree is perfect for us to decorate! Could you please help me with it?”
“Um... sure!”
Both friends uprooted the tree. Then, Gabu carried it back to the cave on his back, with Mei following him closely behind. Once they arrived, they started decorating the tree. When they finished, Mei said:
“Here’s our Christmas tree! Isn’t it lovely?”
“Sure it is!” Gabu said. “Hey, Mei. I want to hear about the very important event Christmas is truly about. Will you please tell me?”
“Oh, sure!” Mei said.
Then, she began telling Gabu the story of the true reason to celebrate Christmas.
“One night, a really, really long time ago, in the region of Judea, our cousins, the sheep, witnessed a great miracle. While their shepherds were watching over them, the night sky suddenly lit up, and an angel appeared in front of them, saying:
“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring good tidings of great joy. For there is born to you this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you. You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
Then, something amazing happened. Hundreds, no, THOUSANDS of angels appeared in the sky, praising God, and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
Afterward, the shepherds went to the town of Bethlehem, to see the miracle God had manifested them. When they saw Baby Jesus in the manger, with His mother Mary and his father Joseph, they glorified and praised God, and called everyone else to witness the miracle. The Son of God, Jesus Christ, had been born. He would save all of humanity from their sins, and His kingdom would last for all eternity.”
Gabu was speechless when he finished hearing the story.
“Wow… where did you hear this story?”
“Among the many farm animals that were at the place where Jesus was born, there were sheep. Since we goats and sheep are cousins, we sometimes share stories between us. And this is the best story they’ve shared with us, which has been inherited through many sheep generations. Sheep have a very important role in the story of God’s disciples, you know?”
“So that’s the true reason we celebrate Christmas!” Gabu said.
“Yes! Because earth needed a Savior, and God gave it to us through Jesus’s nativity.”
“Well then, let’s honor our Lord and Savior BIG time!”
Gabu and Mei began their Christmas celebration. They ate some cookies, played games, relaxed by the fire, and finally, prepared to give each other a present.
“Ok, Gabu.” Mei said. “Ready to see your Christmas present?”
“Yeah!” Gabu said. “What is it?”
Mei pulled out a coat made out of pink and white flowers!
“Merry Christmas, Gabu!” she said. “You like it? It will look so good on you, and will make you look like me!”
“Wow, I love it! Thank you very much, Mei. Now, let me give you your Christmas present.”
Gabu pulled out a tiara made out of clovers!
“Merry Christmas, Mei!” he said. “I decided to make it with clovers because they remind me of the day we met.”
“Oh, Gabu! Thank you so much!” Mei said.
She jumped onto her friend and gave him a big hug.
“I love your gift, Gabu!”
“I love yours too, Mei. But remember, gifts aren’t what Christmas is all about. Christmas means honoring our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who is merciful with good guys and bad guys, humans and animals equally!”
“Because his birth is the best gift we have ever received!” Mei said.
Embracing each other, Gabu and Mei happily sang a carol. And so, the two best friends had one cozy Christmas.
THE END