T H U R S DAY
•
DECEMBER 24
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2015
• W W W. B R A I N E R D D I S PA T C H . C O M
B R A I N E R D D I S PATC H
More than 200 stories were submitted this year for the Brainerd Dispatch’s annual Stories of Christmas contest. On the following pages, you’ll find the winners in the three categories: Kids, Teens and Adults. Weather drawings submitted by local elementary school children are being used as accents to go along with the winning stories. Thanks to all who took the time to submit their stories. Enjoy reading and Merry Christmas!
BY ANA BJORKLUND, AGE 9, BAXTER
ART BY SILVIA BOYER, 3RD GRADE
One snowy morning, I woke up from a peaceful sleep. When I got out of bed, I stepped on something squishy and soft. When I looked down, I saw a furry, pointy hat. I put it on and went to the bathroom. When I got there I looked in the mirror. I had sharp ears like the tip of a knife. I looked somewhat shorter. I had pointy shoes. I was wearing a red and green suit. I was an elf!
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I raced downstairs and looked yourself a name tag while you’re at it.” He around. All I saw were hundreds of turned around and started talking to an elf KIDS elves. I went around and watched named Sam. the elves create the Christmas presents. I I asked an elf named Grace where the workbumped into this elf who was wearing a shop was. nametag that read Amy. She had long brown “Turn the corner and take a left,” she said, hair and skin like cinnamon. I looked at the with a snotty attitude. presents she was wrapping. She was wrapping When I took a left, I started to hear a clicking my presents! I went over to the presents and noise. before I had a chance to touch them, Amy said, Click, click, click. “Don’t touch!” As I got closer, I saw the workshop. I walked I quickly looked up at her. Her face was a through the old, wobbly door. An elf walked up light red color. I backed up and walked away. to me and said, “Can I help you?” When I was walking, I looked back at Amy; I said, “No.” she was still watching me. I turned around for I walked around a little bit and saw lots of about two seconds until I bumped into someelves. They were making hats. thing big in a red suit. It was Santa! “The hat!” I yelled. I quickly tore it off my Before I could say anything, he said, “Ho, head. I could feel my body changing. I raced to ho, ho, watch where you’re going.” the bathroom and splashed water in my face. I said, “Sorry.” But he caught me just before I When I looked up, I was myself again! was about to leave. I raced downstairs and saw the elves were He said, “Why don’t you go to the workshop gone. All that I saw was my tree with presents and help around. Maybe you should make underneath.
BY LILY HURLBERT, AGE 13, BRAINERD
Jack Frost is busy making everything outside sparkle and shine. The air has a chill to it and I can see my breath.
Looking across my yard, I can see that the houses are all lit up with pride and the yards are filled with merriment. all the Christmas decorations that my TEEN It brings a smile to my face. neighbors have put up. There are decInside, we work together to adorn orated trees, signs and houses that are our tree. We trim it in tinsel, homemade outlined in multi-colored lights. I glance at my house and see the work that decorations and so many ornaments it looks like there isn’t much green to be seen! Finally, my family has done. Lights on the deck and the moment we all wait for … the star. My dad lights on the house drip down like icicles stretches to reach the top of the tree, making without the watery mess! I gaze about to see our holiday inflatables spread around our yard. sure not to disturb any of our embellishments. Placing it on the tree, the shiny star begs for Santa is waving to the cars as they drive by. attention, so sparkly and bright. It’s the final Snoopy is driving his plane filled with toys to touch to our decorating day. help Santa deliver a few to the boys and girls As we all sit together on the couch, drinkand finally, Winnie the Pooh and his friends ing hot chocolate, we admire the fruits of our are jumping out of wrapped up gift boxes to labor. We bask in the friendly glow of our wish walkers, joggers and pets alike, a very Christmas tree. Merry Christmas. Oh, what a wonderful time of year! I love Merry Christmas!
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ART BY JAZLYN DAMBOWY, 3RD GRADE
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Thursday, December 24, 2015
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BY LORI THOMPSON, BRAINERD It was Christmas Eve Day as Julia busied herself with last minute gift wrapping and tidying up around her home. She questioned where had another year gone — reminiscing to herself about all that had happened in their lives this past year. Christmas is a season to be joyous and cheerful, however for some, it can be a time that brings about sadness as they remember those that are no longer with them. For Julia this was her Grandma Mary.
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Grandma Mary loved Christmas and Julia When they arrived at the small Bethel church, loved going to her home. The entire family the pews were full and it was wonderful to see A D U LT gathered at Grandma Mary’s house to celthe community come together. The service was ebrate Christmas. There were a great many composed entirely of Christmas hymns with the aunts and uncles, cousins and even a neighbor or pastor articulating the story of Jesus’ birth. When the last two. Grandma Mary would be so happy with all of the song of the worship service was about to begin, the lights festivities. She gave a small gift to everyone. Sometimes were turned low and everyone lit a candle. The church an embroidered dishtowel or a pair of knitted slippers. glowed in the brightness of all of the candlelight coming Grandma Mary always had spiritual holiday music play- together as one. The pianist began to play, “Silent Night.” ing and now when Julia listened to these songs during This was one of Grandma Mary’s favorite Christmas the holiday season, her mind went back to all of the songs. As everyone around Julia sang the lovely words Christmases enjoyed at her Grandma’s home. to this beautiful melody, Julia could feel a small stream There was going to be a change this year. Grandma of tears run down her cheek. Oh, how she missed Mary was gone. There would be no more fun-filled Grandma. It was at times like this, when Grandma Mary joyous Christmas nights at her home. Julia paused as she seemed so near, and yet Julia’s heart still ached so much. gazed at a picture of her own granddaughter being held Julia felt a small movement and her husband took her by Grandma Mary. This was one of her favorite pictures. hand in his and squeezed it softly. He understood her Christmas seemed somber this year. Julia was moving on tears; he knew how much the words from this song to other items when her husband Dave came in and said meant … they should be getting ready for church. “...sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.”
BY KAYA ANDERSON, AGE 8, BAXTER
Have you ever eaten the weirdest Christmas food ever?
KIDS
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Well, my family has it every year. It’s called fondue. It’s basically shrimp and steak except for you cook it right on the dinner table! You have a weird forky thing that looks like a Y and it only has two little pointy sticks on it. And in the middle of the table is a big skin-colored pot and underneath it is blue fire (really hot fire). At the end of the special fork is a thick handle. You choose either shrimp or steak and put it on the end of the fork and put it in the pot that is as hot as the sun. Finally, you take it out. There you will see a boiled piece of food. You take it off and eat it. With the shrimp, you have to take off the tails.
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ART BY KAYA ANDERSON, 3RD GRADE
It is my favorite meal of the year!
Christmas Eve Worship Thursday, December 24 6:00pm Candlelight Service
Christmas Day Worship Friday, December 25 9:00am Festival Song Service
New Year’s Eve Service 6:00pm
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Merry
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Thursday, December 24, 2015
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BY MOLLY WELLS, AGE 14, BAXTER
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The world lays in darkness. Terrorism and sadness seem to linger at every corner, every day. It’s an anomaly to go one day without hearing about a shooting or killing on the nightly news, or to see a deadly car accident or abuse case plastered on the front page of the morning paper.
But then, oh boy, the fourth Thursday of November comes, and…. mmmmm….the smell of turkey wafts up my nose. The cranberry sauce tingles my taste buds. Steaming hot chocolate warms my hands. The spicy scent of potpourri screams Christmas. The creamy Cool Whip on my delectable pumpkin pie tops it all off. It’s that time, my favorite time of the year. The lights twinkle on the evergreen in our living room, surrounded by holiday decorations. 103.5 plays its constant flow of wonderful Christmas music out of the radio in the kitchen. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “A Christmas Story” play out on every TV in the house. Now, Thanksgiving has passed, and everyone’s internal Christmas switch has been flipped on. Forgiveness hangs in the snowy air. Kindness sparks in everyone’s soul, happiness makes the heart feel lighter and the whole world feels like a better place. Why? Well, the light of the world is coming to pull you up from the darkness. He’s the reason for the indescribable, Christmastime feeling of forgiveness and renewal. Be thankful, for Jesus is born, and he comes to save the world.
ART BY LIBBY NELSON, 3RD GRADE
e thank you for your patronage and hope the New Year brings you good friends and good health.
S al e m Lu t he ran Chu rch
Thank You!
G len Bic kford, P astor 2 18- 5 34 - 330 9 2 12 7 6 A rc hibald R oad • Deerwood, MN
Have a Safe and Happy Holiday!
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- Dr. Erica
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Christ m as Ev e Cand l e l ig ht W orship 3pm
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Dec em ber 2 7 th • 9: 0 0 a.m .
Celebrating the Coming Christ Christmas Eve Service | Thursday, December 24 4:00 & 6:00 pm Family Worship 11:00 pm Candlelight Worship Christmas Day Service Friday, December 25 9:00 am A Congregation of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 220 N. 8th Street Brainerd, MN (2 blocks East & 1 block North of the historic water tower)
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Thursday, December 24, 2015
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Christmas comes in different packages BY LAUREL BAXTER, MOTLEY I was raised in the Christian tradition. We celebrated with family at Grandma and Grandpa’s farm house, with aunts, uncles, cousins and/or our own home complete with decorated trees and gifts from Santa Claus. Jesus was born!
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In high school, the war Christmas. My husband took the children to his in Vietnam was raging. It A D U LT mother’s house to celefelt surreal as I was tucked brate Christmas. I celebratin safely in Brainerd thinked mostly with the people at BSH. I ing about what to do with my life. was surrounded by angels. Jesus was my guy as he taught me A few years later and my first about love, peace, hope, healing, compassion and forgiveness. After Christmas divorced, I put my daughvisiting the Brainerd State Hospital, I ter on a plane to be with her father knew I would serve Jesus by serving and brother. I spent Christmas broothers. ken and weeping. I was with people I worked as a nursing assistant I barely knew and yet they were so at the hospital, then a psychiatric kind and compassionate toward me. technician at BSH. I loved the staff I was surrounded by angels. who worked there and the people This year, we will celebrate at our who lived there. One child who was house with a tree, decorations, presprofoundly disabled physically and ents, food and a variety of Christmas mentally, would smile and giggle as baked goods. Two children, their the staff interacted with her. I was spouses and seven grandchildren surrounded by angels. including a newborn grandson, will Later, I worked the 11 p.m. to stay to celebrate the season. I con7 a.m. shift at BSH as a registered tinue to be surrounded by angels. nurse. One year I slept through Jesus is born!
Wishing you and your family peace and joy!
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Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to All.
Thursday, December 24, 2015
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BY ANDY HOTAL, BRAINERD people a happy feeling inside toward others? I was even ents the next morning, I couldn’t sleep. In the being nice to people that I didn’t like. I realized I was nice to everyone in December. It was Christmas after all. middle of the night I sat up in bed pondering I walked over to the couch and looked out the picture window. The snow was coming down soft presents: What would I get? Would I like and gentle but yet in very big flakes. I watched it? Would it be the new cowgirl outfit I the snow build with no tracks or movement A D U LT wanted? I climbed out of bed tiptoeing anywhere. It was quietly covering the street out front. I hummed a few Christmas carols, quietly through the house. It was filled smiling at the quiet peace and beauty I saw. The whole with darkness and silence. I wandered into the town was sleeping. living room, turning on the tree lights. I sat on I decided that the “Spirit” of Christmas is what’s inside each of us. It’s the love for friends and family. It’s people the floor staring at the glows and beams of rewho argue and fight with each other that can be nice flective color for a long time. one day a year. The true “Spirit” of Christmas is for the I wondered about the “Spirit” of Christmas and what month of December, a magic love of sharing happens that was? Was it Jesus? Was it Santa and all the presents all around the world. Christmas Eve at age 7 was my best remembrance of peace and silent night. I was looking at? Or was it something else that gave I was so excited about opening Christmas pres-
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BY JULIA RADEMACHER, AGE 11, FORT RIPLEY “Meet back in two hours,” Sarah instructed. They had been searching for 45 minutes McHilton family was jamming along to when all of a sudden, Eva spotted something. the Christmas song just two days before She had found some Christmas decorations Father Christmas would stuff their stock- along with some tracks. She cried out in ings when all of a sudden, the music excitement. “I found something!” ceased and the newscaster reported. Sarah, Pete, Beth and Josh hur“Santa Claus was reported missing ried over and stared at what Eva had earlier this afternoon. More informafound. tion is expected to come later.” KIDS “It must be from Santa’s sleigh!” “Oh dear, what could’ve happened Josh exclaimed. to him?” 7-year-old Josh wondered. “Come on, let’s go look for him,” he shout“Santa is probably just stuck in a snowed. The girls followed him and they soon storm. The search crew will find him shortly. came upon the sleigh and nine reindeer. It In the meantime, let’s play a board game,” was turned over with presents pouring out. said Josh’s dad, Pete. “Maybe Santa is trapped underneath the “But we want to look for Santa!” Josh and sleigh,” Beth said. his sisters Beth and Eva whined. Pete glanced “Possibly,” Pete replied. at his wife Sarah and she nodded. “Let’s check.” “Come on, hurry up and grab your parkas. The family tipped over the sleigh, and We are going to the North Pole!” They piled into the car and headed toward to their relief, they found Santa huddled in the North Pole. Soon they saw a sign that read a corner drinking coffee. With a dusting of magic he rode the sleigh home. North Pole: Population 22. The car turned off onto a side road and pulled over. “Ho, ho, ho!” “Jingle bells, jingle bells …” The entire
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ART BY CAMERON HARTMAN, 3RD GRADE
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Thursday, December 24, 2015
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Our Christmas adventure started when my mom and I decided to go to the Holidazzle parade
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rd TEEN BY RICHARD LEE, AGE 15, BRAINERD
in Minneapolis. We started out on a train from Becker to the Twin Cities. We enjoyed the parade while I drank my favorite Starbucks gingerbread latte. Afterward, we ate at Hell’s Kitchen and went to a Christmas event at Macy’s. We were having so much fun that my mom and I missed our train ride home. So we were stuck in the Twin Cities in the middle of the night. Luckily, my mom’s aunt and uncle live in the Twin Cities area and were available to pick us up and take us back to Becker to save our Christmas memories from being ruined.
ART BY KAIRA BACON, 3RD GRADE
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We’re filled with joy this holiday season, And your kind patronage is the reason— For one thing that we know is true, Is we owe our success to each one of you!
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May the coming season bring, peace & joy and all good things!