Storyteller Christmas Edition: The Empty Stocking and a Special Reading of The Little Snowman and the Star

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Season's greetings, friends!

‘Tis the season for watching Christmas movies, and one movie on my favorites list is The Bishop’s Wife (1947).  The original stars are Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven. If you know this movie, you know that the closing scene features a Christmas Eve sermon given in a struggling Episcopal Church by the Bishop of that church, played by David Niven. The words of this sermon were penned by an angel, Dudley, portrayed by Cary Grant. It serves as a reminder to us all to ask ourselves, what would He, the child in the manger, wish for most this Christmas?

The sermon is short, and the message is pure love.

Tonight I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking.

Once upon a midnight clear, there was a child's cry, a blazing star hung over a stable, and wise men came with birthday gifts. We haven't forgotten that night down the centuries. We celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees, with the sound of bells, and with gifts.

But especially with gifts. You give me a book, I give you a tie. Aunt Martha has always wanted an orange squeezer, and Uncle Henry can do with a new pipe. For we forget nobody, adult or child. All the stockings are filled, all that is, except one. And we have even forgotten to hang it up. The stocking for the child born in a manger. It’s his birthday we're celebrating. Don't let us ever forget that.

Let us ask ourselves what He would wish for most. And then, let each put in his share, loving kindness, warm hearts, and a stretched out hand of tolerance. All the shining gifts that make peace on earth.

I have never felt that the sermon is meant to be a scolding for forgetting the real meaning of Christmas, though some may see it that way. Rather, I think that it is a reminder of why we give the gifts we give, and why we celebrate the way we do. It’s simple, because we love each other. That love we hold for each other is a direct expression of Christ’s love, God’s love, for all mankind. The empty stocking fills to the brim when we love. It is a love that we universally hold to, and cherish. There are an infinite number of ways to give love. Giving can be a warm smile, a kind act, a dollar in the Salvation Army bucket, or a child’s most wished for toy. Giving happens when we forgive. It can shine through by choosing not to take offense. It happens when we let go of anger and replace it with contentment. The sermon of the empty stocking is a reminder to be thoughtful, to be spiritually ready, and to live Christlike qualities such as kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and generosity. Giving blesses the most when it is intentional.  

If each of us searches our souls this Christmas, to answer the question, “what would He wish for most,” we will each come up with our own answer. Our answers will be blessings. We will feel that love kindling in our hearts, reminding us to be spiritually ready for the opportunity to give, whenever it may come and whatever it may look like. 

I love the idea at the end of the sermon of each of us putting in our share of loving kindness, warm hearts, and a stretched out hand of tolerance, all the shining gifts that, together, make peace on earth.  

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

With love and warm wishes,

Merry 💙

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Holiday hope, cheer, and family traditions. My Christmas gift to you!

This holiday season, I invite you to enjoy a recorded reading of The Little Snowman and the Star—a story for children of all ages and a gift I’m delighted to share with you.

The story began with a simple pencil drawing sent to me as a Christmas card by my niece, Ellie Tessman: a snowman, a tiny star hanging from his twig arm, and an image that lingered long after the holidays. From that spark, the story was born and later brought beautifully to life through the illustrations of my brother-in-law, Luke Ahearn.

In this special storytelling session, I read The Little Snowman and the Star, following a little snowman inspired by a shooting star who sets out—alongside his friends the owl and the squirrel—to help a fallen star return to the sky. It’s a gentle adventure celebrating friendship, teamwork, and the joy surrounding the birth of a new King.

I hope you’ll take a few quiet moments this season to listen, reflect, and share this story with those you love. It is my gift to you this Christmas.

Watch now!

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