On the 9th Day of Christmas

On the 9th day of Christmas, we look to the sky at night, To remember the "brightest of them all" that shone so bright.

Attached to the note & story was shapes to make pancakes with.

Special Mission

All the stars had gathered, for this was the moment they had been waiting for. The Father of the Heavens had called them together to give them names and assignments. Each was excited, and they chattered nervously among themselves. Finally the moment came, and the heavenly messengers began to line up the stars in a quiet and orderly fashion. One by one the stars approached the Father of the Heaven's podium. He looked down upon them, and gave them a name, and explained the new name's meaning. Then he would assign t hem to constellations, clusters, and moon the universe over. This was a long, slow process, and the waiting stars became anxious.

A few of them crept forward and crowded in line. Others point-bowed (much like elbowed) each other out of line. A clear, shiny, little star stood her ground in line, but she was not very pleased with some of the bigger stars. The she noticed another little star, not quite as bright, standing off to the side crying. "What's wrong, little friend?" asked the little star. "I was in the front of the line, and the big stars pushed and shoved me out of line. Now I will never have a name or an assignment," said the other star. "Well, come get in line with me," said the little star. "Now just a minute!" roared the medium star behind the little star. "No crowding in front of me!" Tears formed in the eyes of the little star's new friend. "It's okay," the little star said. "You take my place, and I'll move to the back of the line." Before her new friend could argue, the little star moved to the very back of the line. As the little star's new friend reached the podium, the little star listened carefully to the assignment that might have been hers. "Your name shall be Gordon, and you are assigned to the great constellation Cassiopeia," announced the Father of the Heavens. "Oh, that could have been me!" exclaimed the little star, but still she patiently awaited her turn at the end of the line.

Finally, the little star's turn came. "You shall be named Crystal-only I will spell that K-r-y-s-t-l-e," said the Father of the Heavens. "You are crystal clear and bright. I have chosen a different spelling of this name, however, because kindness begins with a "k," and I saw the kind deed you performed towards Gordon." The little star-now known as Crystal-glowed with warmth. Further, I know you want to be the brightest star in the Heavens, so I grant you that wish because of your kindness. Unfortunately, however, I have no more constellations to form, and no room in which to place you permanently in the night skies at this time. You will serve a grand mission in the future, but you will have to continue to be patient and wait." Krystle was very disappointed, but she loved her new name and the fact that she was the brightest little star in the Heavens. She knew that someday she would shine over her own country, or maybe even the world, and that she would be splendid. Centuries passed, and one by one the other stars were called upon to fill their missions. The stars who had not yet taken up their permanent residences spent their days playing games such as "shooting stars or asteroid catch." No one like to play shooting stars with Krystle, her brightness blinded them, and they could never catch asteroids, so Krystle always won. Eventually they began sneaking away without her, or not asking her to play at all. Gordon never forgot Krystle's kindness thought, and he stayed and played with her, no matter what. One day while Krystle and Gordon were playing by themselves, a messenger from the Father of the Heavens came and told Gordon it was his time to join the constellation Cassiopeia. Krystle was happy for her friend and glowed brightly for him, but after Gordon left, Krystle was lonely.

Eventually, one by one, all the stars were called to join their new homes, and Krystle was all alone. One day the Father of the Heavens himself came to Krystle and told her it was her time to appear in the night skies above earth, and that it was time for her to glow her very brightest. Her mission was not to shine on a country, but only to shine on a small town, in fact, on the outskirts of one small town. Krystle no longer felt patient or kind. she was angry and did not want to be so bright; she wanted to belong to her own constellation.

As she looked down on the lowly stable, she saw a glow. As she looked closer, the glow became brighter and brighter, and she noticed that it was coming from a small, newborn baby. She then realized what her special mission was, and she glowed with all her might. Even as she glowed, she knew her light was not match for the light the child would give the world. She was so happy. Her mission was to shine light on the Savior of the world, who in turn would shine light on mankind. As she made her own light brighter, she was seen in other countries, on other continents, and she led the wise men and shepherds to see the stable where the baby lay. Soon the baby and his parents had to leave the stable, and Krystle was feeling very lonely again.

The Father of the Heavens came to her and said, "Krystle, you have filled your great mission. Your light has been seen by many and will continue to be seen in the hearts of those who reflect on this night for generations. You will no longer be as visible to hem, shining your light on this table, but you will always be with them. "I have arranged for you to be in a cluster in the center of Cassiopeia. No one can see thee, but with your crystal-clear beauty they will see the whole cluster. Further, I have arranged for you to be dimmer, so your companions will enjoy your beauty. But best of all, you'll be right next to Gordon."

Krystle glowed with happiness. To this day, on a clear night in the northern hemisphere, you can see a small cluster a crystal-clear star glowing in the warmth of Cassiopeia's arms.