Proverbs 31:28, "Her children arise and call her blessed;"
This is a birthday message for my angel… my mom. Her birthday was today and she is younger than ever. The only thing more admirable than her beating cancer in the 70’s was raising my brother and me. I wanted to tell the world how thankful I am for her. In wondering what to say, my mind kept going back to a book that she would read to me when I was young (5 or 6). Although we had not yet met the Lord, my mom would say prayers over me at night and then read my favorite book, The Littlest Angel. She would read it to me again and again until eventually I would fall asleep. It was written in 1946 by Charles Tazewell. I can still imagine the smell of the old pages as my mom read it, sitting next to me on the bottom bunk…
“Once upon a time -oh, many, many years ago as time is calculated by men-but which was only yesterday in the celestial calendar of heaven-there was, in paradise, a most miserable, thoroughly unhappy, and utterly dejected cherub who was known throughout heaven as The Littlest Angel.”
Heck of a way of to start a children’s story, eh? But the story goes on to tell about a little angel who was always getting in trouble – maybe my mom was prophetic? Being the smallest angel, nothing seemed to work right for the little cherub… his halo was tarnished and always hung crooked or would roll down the pearly streets. He was always unhappy and homesick and he was always in trouble for something…. playing on the pearly gates for example. No matter how hard he tried it seemed he could do nothing right.
I may not have all my details right, but at one point in the story the “Understanding Angel” asks the little guy what would make him happy? The little cherub recalls a box he had hidden containing his greatest treasures… and the Understanding Angel responds to the little boy's request and sends for the box of treasures. This made the littlest angel very happy. Then when he hears the announcement of the soon to be birth of Christ, he decides to give his box of treasures to the Christ Child - it is a great act of love. Then at the last minute, he fears that his gift is not good enough and wants to get it back...but it is too late.
The littlest angel regrets his decision and runs to hide, feeling ashamed. He wondered how God would honor such a gift among all the great treasures presented. The cool part is how when God moves toward the box He stops and announces to all, “I find this small box pleases me most.” ...On the day of the miracle, the Littlest Angel proudly placed his small box before the throne of God. The littlest Angel trembled as the box was opened. There was a butterfly with golden wings, a sky-blue egg from a bird’s nest, two white stones from a river bank, and a strap from the collar of his dog. The voice of God spoke, “Of all the gifts this small box pleases me most. I accept this gift in the name of the Child Jesus born this night in Bethlehem.” The box began to glow. It rose until it hung over the stable where the Son of God had just been born. The box would forever be known as the “the shining star of Bethlehem.” Now I don’t care who you are, but that is a cool story.
Happy Birthday Mom… for all the years you told me I was an angel (especially when my teachers told me I was the opposite) I wanted to remind you that you are mine and Geoff’s… and we love you and are so proud of you. You are our angel! By the way…. now is probably a good time to confess that I was the one who put the dent in the side of your old Buick. Geoff had nothing to do with it. :-) Sorry ‘bout that!
That has brought brought back memories. I don't really remember a whole lot from my childhood(something about head trama)but I can recall that story. Thanks for bringing up a great memory! Jeff
Posted by: Jeff Barnett | March 13, 2008 at 10:06 AM