Christopher's Breath
Children's Story
It was very cold. Although Christopher lived in one of the coldest countries in the world, it was seldom as cold as this. But he was well wrapped up in an anorak and scarf, hood and gloves, and he loved the cold weather. He loved playing in the thick snow, he loved skiing down the hillside, and he loved sledging to school.
Today was colder than normal. Just a tiny part of Christopher's face peeped through his anorak hood. His breath was very white in the frosty air. As Christopher watched, he saw his breath begin to freeze. He looked with delight, then he started to experiment with his breath. He breathed out very hard, and watched his breath take shape. Then he breathed out very lightly, and saw a different shape form.
It was fun, and a new activity for Christopher. He let his imagination run riot, and soon he was seeing all sorts of faces and people amongst the shapes he was making with his breath. Sometimes his breath formed tall, sharp, spiky people who were quite frightening. But at other times his breath formed round, cuddly people who seemed very friendly.
Christopher began to understand how God had made the world just by speaking. He remembered how God had said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness," and wondered whether Adam the first man, had been tall and spiky or round and cuddly. He wondered whether God had experimented with his breath, and whether that was how all the different animals and birds and plants had been made.
After a while, Christopher began to feel the cold. He was only allowed out for a few minutes at a time, and knew it was time he went in. He decided to have one last go with his new game. He closed his eyes, and thought of all the loveliest and nicest people he knew. Then very slowly and very carefully he breathed out. When he opened his eyes, there was a shape which pleased him immensely. It had gentle curves and swirls, and without very much effort Christopher was able to see an angel.
Christopher ran in and called to his mother. "Mum," he shouted. "I know now what that bit in the Bible means!"
His mother looked up from the pastry she was making. "Which bit?" she asked.
"The one that calls Jesus the Word of God," Christopher explained excitedly. "I think it means that God thought all his loveliest and most perfect thoughts, and breathed them into Jesus. So when Jesus was born at Bethlehem, he had all God's love inside him. Even I can make nice shapes with my breath, so God's breath must be brilliant."
Christopher's mum nodded. "I think you may be right," she said. "And I guess God still breathes into each of us. So that must mean we all become God's children."
Christopher felt very happy. He loved the snow, he loved his home and family, but most of all he loved knowing that he was God's child.
Today was colder than normal. Just a tiny part of Christopher's face peeped through his anorak hood. His breath was very white in the frosty air. As Christopher watched, he saw his breath begin to freeze. He looked with delight, then he started to experiment with his breath. He breathed out very hard, and watched his breath take shape. Then he breathed out very lightly, and saw a different shape form.
It was fun, and a new activity for Christopher. He let his imagination run riot, and soon he was seeing all sorts of faces and people amongst the shapes he was making with his breath. Sometimes his breath formed tall, sharp, spiky people who were quite frightening. But at other times his breath formed round, cuddly people who seemed very friendly.
Christopher began to understand how God had made the world just by speaking. He remembered how God had said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness," and wondered whether Adam the first man, had been tall and spiky or round and cuddly. He wondered whether God had experimented with his breath, and whether that was how all the different animals and birds and plants had been made.
After a while, Christopher began to feel the cold. He was only allowed out for a few minutes at a time, and knew it was time he went in. He decided to have one last go with his new game. He closed his eyes, and thought of all the loveliest and nicest people he knew. Then very slowly and very carefully he breathed out. When he opened his eyes, there was a shape which pleased him immensely. It had gentle curves and swirls, and without very much effort Christopher was able to see an angel.
Christopher ran in and called to his mother. "Mum," he shouted. "I know now what that bit in the Bible means!"
His mother looked up from the pastry she was making. "Which bit?" she asked.
"The one that calls Jesus the Word of God," Christopher explained excitedly. "I think it means that God thought all his loveliest and most perfect thoughts, and breathed them into Jesus. So when Jesus was born at Bethlehem, he had all God's love inside him. Even I can make nice shapes with my breath, so God's breath must be brilliant."
Christopher's mum nodded. "I think you may be right," she said. "And I guess God still breathes into each of us. So that must mean we all become God's children."
Christopher felt very happy. He loved the snow, he loved his home and family, but most of all he loved knowing that he was God's child.
