STORIES AROUND THE TREE: BRINGING THE FAMILY TOGETHER ON THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

A chill in the air, twinkling lights and last-minute shoppers hurrying to and fro mean Christmas is upon us. From the back of the closet, under the bed and the top of bookshelves, it's time to retrieve those books filled with favorite Christmas stories.

Everyone has a different favorite, and each retelling of the story has its own flavor.

The newspaper column titled "Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" and the letter to the editor that inspired it some 100 years ago will always remain dear to those who love Christmas.

Of course, the story of the Christ child reminds us of the real reason for the season.

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" puts a new twist on the birth of Baby Jesus by casting a gang of unruly kids in the church play. The outcome is good, however, and the miracle of Christmas comes through.

Another new favorite is "Polar Express," which tells the story of a young boy's magical journey to the North Pole.

New names associated with Christmas stories popping up through the years include Charlie Brown, the Grinch,

Berstein Bears, the Blues Clues gang and Jonathan Toomey.

Jonathan Toomey?? The story is a favorite of Joanie Skinner's second-grade class at Jefferson Elementary School. They supplied the story of Jonathan Toomey and also retold some of their other Christmas favorites.

Tara Volkerding provided the following version of "The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey".

"Jonathan was a woodcarver. His wife died and his little girl too. Jonathan was sad. In two days a woman and her son came to the door. They knew he was a good woodcarver. The woman said, `I moved and I forgot my manger scene. They were carved. Could you carve them?'

`Can I watch you please?' said the boy.

`OK, I guess, but just for a little bit.'

The woman and her son came for a long time to watch. The little boy wanted to carve too. Jonathan became nicer and nicer. And Jonathan was as nice as he could be."

This story, set in the early 1800s, is a moving tale of a sad and gloomy man who receives his Christmas miracle in the form of friendship and understanding from some new-found friends.

Monica, another student in Skinner's class, said her favorite story "Arthur's Christmas." The following is her retelling:

"Arthur is trying to find a present for Santa Claus. Arthur is nice and D.W. is selfish. Then Arthur saw Santa at the eating place and he saw Santa getting a fudge sundae. Arthur found out what Santa would like for Christmas. Then D.W. couldn't sleep because she was thinking about the food Arthur had made for Santa. Then she slipped downstairs on Christmas Eve to write a note to Santa. Arthur was the first one up to read the note."

Kristen Stause retold the night of Jesus birth, her favorite.

"Mary meets an angel and the angel said, `You will have a boy baby. You will call him Jesus.'

And then Mary said, `I will call him Jesus.'

And then she sets off to find a husband, and then she finds Joseph, and then she gets pregnant and she has no place to go and they go house to house. Finally they found a place to go.

And then she gives birth to Jesus, and then there is the new king. Then he becomes the king of the world."

Whether someone is reading a story or just re-telling an old favorite, stories provide an opportunity to bring the family together.

Perhaps Cape Central Junior High student said it best. "My favorite story is "'Twas the Night Before Christmas.' I like it because my parents always read it to me and my sister and brother on the night before Christmas. Even though my brother is 23 and my sister is 21, it's still fun to pretend like we are little again."