When director Charlotte Pauley gathered the children at the Central Christian Church daycare last week to tell them the story of Jesus’ birth, she read to them the true story of Christmas and how 2,000 years ago, a child was born who changed history.

It is the birth of that child we celebrate today. Santa Claus? Elves? Reindeer? That is the commercial story of Christmas.

But Pauley’s story was the greatest story ever told — that of the true story of Christmas.

The children then retold that story in their own words.

“Christmas,” Andrea Baker said, “is Jesus’ birthday.”

Luke Chapter 1

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth.

To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David and the virgin’s name was Mary.

Mary was “like really, really special because she had the baby Jesus and the baby was special because he was God’s son,” Regina Morris said.

Calysta Dilley said the angel probably had very big wings and probably something like a skirt.” Regina added that the angel probably wore “a gown but not any shoes.”

As for Joseph, Hunter Pauley knew that he was a carpenter, “someone who fixes things.”

And the angel came in unto her and said Hail, thou art highly favored, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women.

And when she saw him she was troubled at his saying and cast into her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favor with God.

“The angel came to talk to Mary and he said ‘you’re going to have a son— God’s son,’” Hunter said.

He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Karlie Rase said the appearance of Gabriel no doubt “surprised” Mary. Athena Bruner said Mary was likely “frightened” because once he had finished his mission “he just disappeared.”

Luke Chapter 2

And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

…And all went to be taxed, every one unto his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, unto Judea, unto the city of David…

“The name of the town was Bethlehem,” Dakota Pierson said.

… to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, who was great with child.

The children surmised the journey would not have been an easy one, particularly given Mary’s advanced pregnancy.

“Maybe it would have been long and heavy for Mary,” Calysta said, “because she would have been carrying Baby Jesus in her stomach.”

“They would have been very tired, walking,” Karlie said.

The end of the journey would have been no easier than the actual trip, as Athena explained.

“They couldn’t find any hotels so they stayed in a barn,” she said.

…And so it was while they were they, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her first born son and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

“This wonderful event, Tyler Milleson explained, was more than just the birth of an ordinary baby to ordinary parents. This “was the birth of Christ, the Prince of Peace.”

…And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night.

And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shown round about them…

“The shepherds would be afraid— I would be afraid,” Tyler said.

And the angel said unto them them Fear not for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you, you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and saying

Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, good will toward men.

Matthew Chapter 2

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the day of Herod the King, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Saying where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him.

The star would have been shiny, Regina said, and “special because it showed the way” to where the child was sleeping. Its importance would have impelled the wise men to follow and seek the child whose birth the star announced.

“The wise men walked and walked and they wanted to see the baby Jesus,” Hunter said.

…When they had heard the king they departed; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them till it came and stood over where the young child was.

When they saw the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

Hunter knew that the Wise Men brought “gold, frankincense and myrrh.”

There is a message behind the story of the wise men who followed that star to find the baby and Tyler knew what it was.

“The wise men wanted to worship him,” he explained. “We should worship him, too.”

The greatest gift

Pauley said she hoped that in learning the real story of Christmas, the children would also find the real truth of life, the reason, if you will, behind the season.

“Gift giving is nice but He was the most important gift of all,” Pauley told the children. “We get caught up in the holiday and giving gifts but Christmas really started 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem.

“Christians realize there is more to the day, it is spiritual, not just commercial. And the greatest gift is free. If you love Jesus, the great gift comes when you believe in him.”

“The greatest gift was that Jesus was born,” Calysta said.

“That Jesus gave his life when he died on the cross,” Tyler added.

Staff reporter Teresa Moore can be reached at (740) 532-1445 ext. 25 or by e-mail at teresa.moore@irontontribune.com