December 21, 1965

Just before little Charlie went to bed on Christmas eve, he looked out the window and saw a bright shining star in the sky. It seemed to be much larger and brighter than the others. He called to papa Charlie and pointed it out to him.

Papa Charlie explained, “That is a very special star. If we get our traveling caps, I think we can go to the place where it is right overhead.”

“What do you mean, papa? Leave now — at night?” queried little Charlie.

“Yes, that’s just what I mean,” replied papa Charlie without telling little Charlie what it was all about.

Little Charlie went to find their traveling caps and met papa Charlie on the front porch. Papa Charlie said, “Put on your traveling cap, whirl around three times, turn a somersault and here we are in the little town of Bethlehem in the country of Judea.”

Little Charlie looked up and saw the star shining much more brightly than it did in the forest. Papa Charlie said, “I believe the star will grow even brighter if we walk up this path a little way.”

A group of shepherds were walking along the same path. Little Charlie said, “Papa, let’s follow those shepherds. Maybe they know where the star is brightest.”

As they turned a corner in the street, the star shone especially brightly. They saw a soft, yet bright light coming from the stable beneath the inn. The Bears and the shepherds followed the beam of light and found a tiny Baby lying in a bed of straw in a manger. His mother was sitting close by His side. The animals of the barn, the cows, donkeys and sheep, were all quietly standing by — surprised that a Baby was in their feeding trough.

Little Charlie whispered to papa Charlie, “Is this little Baby what we came to see?”

“Yes, little Charlie. This is the Baby that God has sent to earth so we might have a better understanding of God and His world. It is through this little Baby that all the people on earth can learn to live in peace and love. Through this little One all people can find a place in Heaven.”

As little Charlie looked at the Baby and tried to understand what papa Charlie had said, the Baby fell asleep. The shepherds and the forest animals left the stable. The shepherds went back to the sheep they had been tending on the nearby hillside.

Papa Charlie thought it was time to go back home. He said, “Let’s make sure our traveling caps are on, whirl around three times, turn a somersault,” and there they were back home just in time for mama Bear to tuck her child in bed and listen to her little Charlie tell of the beautiful Baby and His mother.