Soldiers of the Great King
by Mary Wingfield Bell

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Chapter 1	Chapter 2	Chapter 3	Chapter 4	Chapter 5	Chapter 6
Chapter 7	Chapter 8	Chapter 9	Chapter 10	Chapter 11	Chapter 12

CHAPTER 8

 

At the next meeting time the children were still talking about their trip to Grandest View.  They would remember it as one of the happy days in their lives.  Donald was still elated for having told Ernest how to know the king.  Donald wanted everyone to accept Jesus.  He was sure that Ernest would become a good soldier of the king.

 

At the meeting in the junior classroom of the Methodist Church Donald was in charge of the program.

 

“Christmas is coming,” said Donald, “So I am going to read the story of the birth of Jesus from the bible.  I will read the first 20 verses of the 2^nd chapter of Luke.”

 

The children wanted to learn all they could about the birth of Jesus and paid close attention as Donald read.  “And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.  And taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.  And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city.  And Joseph went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, unto the city of David which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife being great with child.  And so it was while they were there the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you.  Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.  And it came to pass as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us now go into Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.’  And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger.  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning the child.  And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising god for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."

 

“Now what did you like about this story?” asked Donald of the other children.

 

“The baby,” said Dalthea.  “Just to think that our great king came to earth as a little baby and he grew up to be the most wonderful person in the whole world.  And now he is my saviour and Lord.  I do love Jesus so very much.”

 

“I like the part where the angel talks to the shepherds,” said Richard.  “I would like to have been a shepherd that night.  I would have shouted the news to everyone that a saviour was born.”

 

“I wonder if the sheep knew what was taking place,” said Maria.  “It was an exciting time for all who heard.  The birth of a king, the greatest of all kings was so special.  Yes, I would like to have been with the shepherds, too.”

 

“Girls aren’t shepherds,” said Tim.

 

“I think some girls are shepherds,” said Maria.  “How about little Bo Peep?”

 

“That’s just a rhyme,” said Elmer.

 

“Well, the person who wrote the rhyme thought of girls as shepherds,” returned Maria.

 

“Anything else about the story?” asked Donald.

 

“What are swaddling clothes?” asked Joy.

 

“I think swaddling clothes are blankets,” said Janet, “Maybe just pieces of cloth.”

 

“What can we do to celebrate Christmas, the birthday of our king?”  asked Donald.

 

“We could have a party,” said Myrtle.

 

“That would be fun but I think we can do more to remind us of that first Christmas,” said Janet.

 

“How about we find a needy family and give gifts?” said Lorena.  “I like to sew.  I can make gifts.”

 

“That is what we should do,” agreed Richard.  “I will make something.  Daddy lets me use his tools.  He might even help me.”

 

“I’m not sure we will get much,” said Janet.  “So many people are out of work but if we try and pray about it, everything will work out right.”

 

“We will decide what family is to get the gifts,” said Donald.  “It must be a family who has nothing for their children’s Christmas.  It will be fun to see what we can do for them.”

 

“I think we must try to give the children something besides toys, maybe stockings,” said Dalthea.  “We will need help from the merchants.  I know a family with five little ones who go barefoot in cold weather.  The father has no job and the mother is expecting another baby soon.”

 

“Well, then,” said Donald.  “We have a family.  Look around and see what we can do for them.”

 

“Now, do we have any bible verses today?”

 

“Yes,” said James.  “Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands.  Psalms 66:1.”

 

“For every beast of the forest is mine and the cattle upon a thousand hills.  Psalms 50:10,” said Elmer.

 

“Look!  God owns everything,” remarked Richard.  “Man just takes care of things.”

 

“For God is king of all the earth, sing ye praises with understanding,” said Lorena.  “I forgot to remember the chapter and verse.”

 

“The wicked shall be turned into hell and all the nations that forget God.  Psalms 9:17,” said Trilby.

 

“I’m glad I am not wicked,” said Tim.  “I heard that hell is a place of fire.”

 

“But Heaven is where we are going one day,” said Maria.  “It is a place of peace and beauty where our king lives.  I am so happy that Jesus is my Lord and King.”

 

“We are learning the truth,” said Janet, “So we never have to worry about a place called hell.  Now for my bible verse.  Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.  John 8:32.”

 

Any more bible verses?” asked Donald.  “Then I think it is time to pray.  Does anyone have a need to pray for?”

 

Dalthea raised her hand.  “Keep praying for Katie.  We must not quit.  Katie should be meeting with us.  If only her brain was not slow.  I believe God will answer our prayers for Katie and make her well.”

 

“Anyone else need to be prayed for?”

 

“Yes,” said Trilby, “Flapper has a sore paw.”

 

“He is a dog, Tribly,” said Elmer.  “Do we pray for animals?”

 

“I think we should pray for animals,” said Janet.  “God made animals, too.  I will pray for him.”

 

The children bowed their heads while Dalthea prayed for Katie and Janet prayed for Flapper.

 

The meeting was over and Mrs. Cubber served muffins to the boys and girls.

 

“What is the name of this family we are to make gifts for?” asked Lorena.

 

“It is the Ruddenberry family,” said Dalthea.  “I will buy a cap or stockings.  I am sure my grandmother will give me the money.”

 

“Tell me how big are the children,” said Lorena.  “Are they girls or boys? I can make a shirt for he boys or an apron dress for the girls.”

 

“There is three small girls, two are twins and the two boys are five and six years old,” replied Dalthea.

 

“I don’t know what I can do,” said Janet.  “We do not have money to spend but I will do something.  God will help me to help someone.”

 

The boys planned to meet at Richard’s house to do work, making toys for the Ruddenberry children.

 

Everyone was excited about the plans for helping the needy family.

 

“Manie, what can I do for this family?” asked Janet.

 

“Dear, you might find something in the trunk,” said her mother.  “Or maybe you can make fudge.  Everyone likes to get candy.”

 

“That’s it,” said Janet.  “I will make candy for the family.  That will be a special treat.”

 

The days after soldiers of the king decided to help the Ruddenberry family were busy ones.  When the children were not in school, they were working on their project.  The boys with the help of Richard’s father made nice wooden toys – wagon, train and cars.  The girls met at Janet’s house to plan their gifts.  Lorena would make dresses for the girls.  Neena brought over a piece of blue oilcloth that she did not need.  “You girls can make stuffed toys out of this oilcloth,” she said.  “I will show you how to cut the oilcloth.  You can make rabbits, ducks and doll babies.”

 

Janet and her friends were happy with Mrs. McKinney’s idea.  “Our gift box will look good,” said Maria.

 

The girls cut out rabbits and ducks and stitched the edges with red embroidery thread.  Then they stuffed the toys with cut-up old socks.

 

“How nice!” said Janet.  “And I will see if Mr. Papper wants to give anything to put in the box.

 

On Sunday Janet walked to church with her mother.  Her knees were red when she arrived at the church.  Her knee socks did not come up high enough to protect legs in the cold weather.  It was a relief to get inside the church where it was warm.  She always felt comfortable to be in the Methodist Church where she saw her fiends.  There was her big family – the family of God.

 

It was the Sunday before Christmas and the congregation sang Christmas carols.  When they sang Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, Janet could imagine she was seeing the angels as they sang.  She pictured in her mind a silent night and the ground covered with snow. When they sang Away in a Manger she imagined she saw a tiny baby waving his fist.  She was happy that day.  Christmas is good she thought.

 

Katie played O’ Holy Night on her harp.  Janet thought about how soldiers of the king were praying for Katie to be healed. “I wonder why God is waiting to heal Katie she thought.”

 

In Sunday school all the children under 12 years of age received a treat – an apple, an orange and a little box of ribbon candy.  The orange looked so delicious.  She had not had an orange since last year’s treat.

 

“I will share with Manie,” she said.  “She never gets a treat.”

 

When people came out of the building after service, they could see a fire.  Someone’s house was going up in flames.

 

“Who lives there?” Brother Lewis asked of anyone who could give him an answer.

 

“The Ruddenberry family has been living there,” said a small boy.  “Now they don’t have a place to sleep.”

 

“I must go there and see what can be done to help,” said Brother Lewis.

 

Brother Lewis found a sad family with no home, no money and no place to go.  He took them to his house to stay until he could find a place for hem.  He was glad to see none of the family were hurt.

 

Janet felt so sorry for the Ruddenberry family.  They would need lots of help.  “What will the family do now?” she asked her mother.  They need clothes and everything.

 

“I think the church people will do what they can to help but most people are having a hard time.  We all need to pray for the Ruddenberry family.  God will make a way.”  Manie was sure that God would provide.

 

At church that Sunday night people talked about the fire and discussed ways to help the needy family.  Many brought household items to give.  There was a double boiler, wash board, iron, iron rail bed, kitchen table and some old quilts to keep the family warm.  Much more was needed.

 

A few people gave money out of their own needs to help the family.  Brother Morton offered to let them live in a three-room house that he owned.  They could live there free for a period of three months.  The family of God gave their love to the Ruddenberry family.

 

“People at church are always helping others,” Janet said to her mother.

 

“God’s children are generous givers,” said Manie.  “We all need each other.”

 

Christmas Eve came and soldiers of the king gathered at Janet’s house to fill the Christmas box for the needy family.  There were wooden toys smooth as silk that the boys had made.  How proud they were of their gifts.  They knew they had pleased the great king because they had given their best time to him and their best work for the little children.  The girls lay their handmade gifts in the box.  Lorena had made the shirts and dresses.  Dalthea put in two caps and three pairs of long stockings.  There were the oilcloth rabbits and ducks for the little ones to play with.  Janet put in the chocolate fudge she made with sugar and cocoa she borrowed from Trilby’s mother.  Trilby put in a can of pork sausage his father had given.

 

The box looked lovely with gifts wrapped in red and green tissue paper.

 

“We did it!” shouted Richard.  “Now let’s go play Santa Claus.

 

It was snowing.  The snowflakes fell slowly and quietly.  The box rested on Richard’s sled.  The boys took turns pulling the sled.  The happy children sang Christmas songs as they walked in the snow.  Their hearts were filled with joy.  They thought that this was the best thing they had done to please King Jesus.

 

“I know that our king likes what we are doing,” said Dalthea.  “And I love him so much.  Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to our Lord and saviour.”

 

James came running up to the other children.  “I just saw the doctor,” he said.  “The doctor had just left the Ruddenberry’s place.  He delivered their new baby – a tiny boy.”

 

“Oh dear!” said Maria.  “We don’t have a gift for the baby.  We need a gift on Christmas Eve.  It will like giving baby Jesus a gift.”

 

“I have four cents,” said Trilby.  “Let’s stop at Mr. Papper’s store and buy something.”

 

The children were wondering what to buy for the newborn baby.

 

“Maybe we can buy a cap,” said Lorena.  “To keep him warm.”

 

“Or a pair of booties for his feet,” said Dalthea.

 

All the children went into the store to see what gift could be bought with Trilby’s four cents.  All the clothes were priced too high.  There was not enough money to buy anything to wear.

 

“I got pretty baby rattles,” said Mr. Papper.  “They only cost seven cents.”

 

“I only got four cents,” said Trilby.

 

“Since it is Christmas Eve,” said Mr. Papper, “I will sell the rattle to you for four cents.  Do you want the clown rattle or do you want the bear?”

 

“Take the clown,” said the children.  “He is more colorful.”

 

Trilby paid Mr. Papper four cents and the gift was ready to take to the little baby.

 

Soldiers of the king sang Away in the Manger as they moved forward to the Ruddenberry house.

 

Janet knocked on the door.  Mr. Ruddenberry opened the door.

 

“What have we here?” he asked when he saw the children.

 

“We have come to wish your family a Merry Christmas,” said Janet.

 

“Do come in and see our new baby,” said the man.  “He is just a little tyke but very lively with strong lungs.”

 

The other five small children were in the room where there was a fireplace and the mother in bed with the new baby.

 

“Look, Mary!” said Mr. Ruddenberry.  “We have company.  The children have come to see the new little one and they have brought gifts.”

 

“Do you want to see the baby?” said Mary.

 

The children moved to the bedside.

 

“He is so small,” said Dalthea, “But he is a good looking baby.”

 

“What is his name?” asked Maria.

 

“I haven’t decided,” answered the woman.  “But it is Christmas.  It should have something to do with Christmas.  If the baby were a girl I would call her Eve.”

 

“Why don’t you call him Star?” said Myrtle.

 

“That is a lovely name,” agree Mrs. Ruddenberry.  “For the star of Bethlehem.  I will call him Star.”

 

The children removed the wrapped toys from the box and gave them to the little Ruddenberry children whose faces beamed with delight.

 

Janet gave the fudge to the father and Trilby gave him his can of pork sausage. 

 

It was a wonderful Christmas Eve and the soldiers of the king were very happy.  They were always happy when they gave their best time for King Jesus.

 

When they passed Mr. Papper’s store on their way home, he called them to stop and he gave each boy and girl a sack of chocolate drops.

 

“Merry Christmas!” he said.

 

“Merry Christmas, Mr. Papper,” said the children.

 

Back at Janet’s house the children drank hot cocoa and ate popcorn.

 

It was a fun evening for all.