Second Place: $50 prize

Willow Springs Middle School

Eighth grade

The King of the World was placed in a feeding trough in a stable full of animals. Cows, sheep, horses, and donkeys surrounded him. Shepherds squeezed in to see him, and wise men traveled over 900 miles bringing gifts to the newborn baby, the King of the World, Jesus Christ. 

At Christmas time, it’s always so busy. I know it is because that’s probably the busiest time for my family. We always have something going on. But what if you just stopped? Just waited and looked around. Let me tell you what I found when I stopped.

What is the real meaning behind Christmas? Many people will say spending time with loved ones and being together. While that is very important, there’s a little more to it than that. Christmas is a celebration. It is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, who came down from heaven to save everyone from their sins. It is the celebration of what he did for us. He sacrificed himself so that we could live with Him forever. That always seems to get forgotten amid everything else happening, but I challenge you to let that be the center of your Christmas.

The star on top of your Christmas tree symbolizes the star God put in the sky. It was a Christmas light in the sky, and it was right above where Jesus was born. It led shepherds to where Jesus was born. People did not think shepherds were significant in that society, so it showed that Jesus came for everyone, not just the rich and famous.

There is a reason that we give gifts to each other as well. When Jesus, the King of the World, was born in a stable, wise men traveled over 900 miles so they could see this baby that had been born. They followed the same star in the sky and brought him gifts of gold and expensive perfumes. We give gifts to each other during this Christmas season in remembrance of that special event.

That is what I found when I stopped. It made me realize the deeper meaning of Christmas. There is so much more to it, and I challenge you to stop. Stop and think about what really happened on the first Christmas. Billy Graham said it like this, “The very purpose of Christ’s coming into the world was that He might offer up His life as a sacrifice for the sins of men. He came to die. This is the heart of Christmas.”     

Judge’s notes: There were quite a few touching examples of nonfiction Christmas tales submitted, but this one captured the true meaning of Christmas with such simplicity and heart, it brought an actual tear to my eye as I read. This writing takes one of the oldest, best-known stories and, using repetition of the verb “stop” as a framework, fills in the details briefly, but with a huge impact.  It is remarkably clear and succinct but still beautiful.