Christmas Expressions 2024 - A Creative Collection
A Creative Collection 2024
Inspired by our cherished past publication, the Christmas Essay Contest, Christmas Expressions: A Creative Collection offers even more opportunities to showcase the creativity within our community. This publication highlights the poems, essays/short stories, and art of local children from kindergarten through eighth grade.
This section features this year’s winning submissions. We hope you enjoy them as much as we have. May the true spirit of Christmas be with your family this holiday season!
Christmas Essay Contest Judges:
Jeff Falk is the feature writer for EPC’s Conestoga Valley Pennysaver, Manheim Township Merchandiser and Warwick Merchandiser. A lifelong resident of Lebanon and a graduate of Penn State, Jeff has written stories for, taken photos for and published work in 13 central Pennsylvania publications over his career.
Jeff is married to Lori Messersmith-Falk and is the father to three grown children, Faustina, Paul and Reagan. In his free time, Jeff enjoys traveling, exploring new things, reading, theater, movies, history and sports.
Ashley Shepherd works as the proofreader for the Merchandisers, Advertisers, Pennysavers, and Community Couriers. She recently graduated from Liberty University with a BA in English and decided to move back home to Lancaster County, where she grew up. In her free time, Ashley spends hours reading and enjoys playing card and board games and hanging out with friends.
Fawn Stephenson-Lilly is a graphic designer at Engle Printing & Publishing Co., Inc. She is a fine artist who has shown her original artwork locally. She has been in Engle’s Creative Department for over 20 years.
On one Christmas Eve Emmy and Luke went down the stairs to look at the tree. They were going to try to stay awake to see the one and only Santa and his reindeer, but fell asleep they woke up to the presents under the tree. They looked out the window to see the snow falling on their favorite tree in the front yard. Next they looked at the tree and raced to it, to open the presents. They got lots of things like new dolls for Emmy and some video games for Luke. But they started fighting about which gift was better. Over all the fussing, there was a whining. But not from them. There was a creature hiding behind the front door. Emmy picked it up. It was a dog. The dog was so cute. They asked their mom and dad if they could keep it. They said “yes” and they said that was better than any gift they got that day; that’s how their Christmas went on to be a beautiful day.
Essay/Short StoryIntermediate/Middle (6th-8th)
McKenna Shivery Age 13 | Denver
Chester’s Christmas Confusion
by McKenna Shivery
Chester was puzzled as Christmas approached. One morning, he awoke to a giant green tree in the living room, glimmering with ornaments. “What is this giant shrub doing in my space?” he wondered, tilting his head in confusion.
Curiosity got the better of him. As he swatted at an ornament, it swung back, startling him. Days passed, and his humans hung colorful stockings by the fireplace. Chester jumped on the mantel and swatted one down, which spilled jingling bells everywhere. “What is happening?” he thought, darting away to hide behind the couch.
On Christmas Eve, the family gathered around the tree, full of excitement and laughter. Chester watched as they decorated cookies shaped like stars and candy canes, filling the air with sweet scents. He noticed the warm glow of lights and felt a strange energy around the house. His curiosity grew when he spotted wrapped gifts piled high under the tree. Unable to resist, he leaped onto the coffee table. He tore into one, scattering paper everywhere, a flurry of festive chaos. Instead of scolding him, the humans laughed heartily. “Chester loves Christmas!” they exclaimed, joy filling the room.
On Christmas morning, the delightful scent of fresh treats led him to the kitchen, where he discovered toys and delicious snacks all just for him. His confusion turned to pure joy as he watched his family exchanging gifts and memories. He realized that Christmas was about love and laughter, the warmth of family, and the little moments that spark happiness. From then on, Chester joyfully embraced the delightful chaos of the holidays, becoming not just a spectator but an active participant in the festivities!
Poem - Elementary (1st-5th)
Abigail Snyder Age 9 | East Earl
The Star
by Abigail Snyder
Deep in the night, there was a star shining bright, that shows the way, to the little babe, in swaddling cloth in the manger, it showed the rich wise people, and the poor shepherds, that the King was born, and that is the story of the star.
Poem - Intermediate/Middle (6th-8th)
Evie Lyons Age 12 | East Fallowfield
My Imagined World
by Evie Lyons
A world, the world?
World in my hand.
Not even hands, just one. Small, but still grand.
I hold it, not hot, not cold, just there.
Gazing at it with an unbroken stare.
Glass, it seems, but maybe more?
Maybe it could be real, real in my mind, using my imagination
Like I did when I was four.
When did that stop? It doesn’t have to.
Yes the world is clear, but I can see it in any color: green, blue.
Maybe a world of the past - the future?
Maybe not a world we know at all.
A world where things float, not fall.
Gravity isn’t a thing known to this race.
The people, what of the people? Interesting. Smart?
Would they greet me with a smiling face?
I look back up, I look at my little glass world, it has a story now.
Another story, one of many I can imagine.
I hadn’t forgotten, I still knew how.
It’s been hours. Hours thinking, enjoying having found that special place in my mind.
Grabbed it and put it on display, it was sinking
All from my mind, I created a
Runner-Up WINNERS
Essay/Short Story - Elementary (1st-5th)
Mariella Vega Age 9 | New Holland
Jacky and Christy and Their Christmas
by Mariella Vega
Once there were two girls named Christy and Jacky and they always complained that they didn’t get to have Christmas or presents. They had always wanted to see Santa and his reindeer. Jacky said “Let’s stay up and watch for him.” Christy didn’t think it was such a good idea, but she went along with it as usual. On Christmas night, they stayed up as long as their eyes would stay open, but they eventually fell asleep. When they woke up, they were surrounded by a whole bunch of presents! When they ran to wake up their parents, they found them already awake and opening many more presents. They all ran and hugged each other. Ever since that day, they always knew to never complain and to have a thankful heart because good things can happen. You just never know what might come next.
Essay/Short Story - Intermediate/Middle (6th-8th)
Lily Ruffner Age 13 | Elverson
Christmas Expressions Essay 2024
by Lily Ruffner
Ican describe the Christmas season as a series of highs and lows. My family decorates a tree, buys presents for each other, and so on. These activities are fun, but if that was all Christmas was, I would have an empty feeling. See, Christmas means spending time with family and friends and honoring the birth of Jesus. It may sound cliche, but these experiences are some of the most important in my life. In a series of 4 years, my family has experienced tragedies and grief. It has been hard to muster up joy for the season, but when I reflect on the most wonderful gifts in my life, I feel that it is something to celebrate. The book “The Scrooge” made a big impact on me. The grumpy man Scrooge is unloving and cruel. He takes what he has for granted and only a series of ghosts can make him see the reality of his actions. I don’t want to be oblivious to all of the good things in my life, and I want to celebrate my savior during the Christmas season. Christmas is a time when I hold close to the vital things in my life. It makes me stop and think, and I hope you will, too.
Poem - Elementary (1st-5th) Christmas Eve
Jocelyn Bolduc Age 9 | Downingtown
by Jocelyn Bolduc
Christ the savior is born
Hey Todd
Rise
I got a present
Surprise
Todd
Mom
A song was sung
Singing heard all around
Eggnog
Very jolly
Everybody is happy
Poem - Intermediate/Middle (6th-8th)
Braden Martin Age 13 | East Earl
Christmas
by Braden Martin
Christmas is the time of year, When December 25 brings joy and cheer. And when the time comes around, People are buying gifts and toys in town.
The gift that God gave us was not a kite, It was the Saviour that glorious night. And when the shepherds were all in fright, They saw the star shining so bright.
Then they started following the star, It wasn’t by train or by a car.
They found the babe in bed filled with hay, And worshiped Him reverently that long ago day.
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