Charlie the Candle Shines for Christmas
By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral
of the Story
Even the smallest light can brighten
the darkest place. When you share kindness, you spread the warmth of God’s
love. It’s not how big your flame is that matters, but how you use it to help
others. A humble heart and a giving spirit shine brighter than gold. God’s
light glows strongest through those who care for others. Every act of love
makes the world a little brighter. One candle can light a thousand others, and
the world will never be the same.
In the corner of a grand, old church
stood a single candle named Charlie.
He wasn’t as tall as the candles on the altar, nor as shiny as the golden star
above the nativity scene. His wax was a little uneven, and his wick was bent to
one side. But Charlie didn’t mind. He loved being in God’s house, surrounded by
warmth and prayer.
As Christmas Eve approached, the
church filled with excitement. Garlands of pine hung from the pews, the choir
practiced their carols, and the smell of cinnamon and evergreen filled the air.
Charlie watched everything from his
small holder on a side table near the door. “I wish I could be one of the
candles on the altar this year,” he sighed. “Those candles shine for everyone
to see.”
Beside him stood a large, elegant
candle named Gloria, her wax smooth and white as snow. “Oh, little one,”
she said kindly, “you’re lovely just where you are. Every light has its
purpose.”
Charlie nodded but still felt small.
“Maybe,” he whispered, “but I want to shine for something big, like
Christmas.”
That evening, as the sun set and the
last choir notes faded, the church grew quiet. Snow began to fall outside,
covering the village in white. The priest walked through the church, checking
every candle, but he passed right by Charlie without lighting him.
When the doors closed, Charlie felt
alone. “I guess I’m not needed this Christmas after all,” he sighed, looking
toward the altar where the tall candles glowed proudly.
Suddenly, a gust of cold wind blew
open the church door. A small figure stepped inside a little girl, shivering
beneath a thin coat. Her cheeks were red, and her eyes looked tired. She had
been walking home from the orphanage when the storm grew too strong.
She saw the warm light from the
altar and hurried inside. “Oh, thank You, God,” she whispered, rubbing her
hands together.
But the altar lights were too far
away to warm her, and the pews were dark near the door. That’s when she saw
Charlie.
“A candle!” she said, her voice
trembling. “If only I could light it.”
She reached into her pocket and
found a single match. Her fingers shook as she struck it, and with a tiny
spark, Charlie came to life.
The flame flickered softly at first,
then grew bright and steady. Warmth filled the little space around them.
“Hello there,” said Charlie, his
flame glowing cheerfully. “You must be freezing.”
The girl smiled weakly. “I was so
cold, but now… now it feels like Christmas.”
Charlie’s little heart swelled.
“Then let’s make this night bright for both of us.”
The two sat quietly as the snow fell
outside. The girl whispered prayers of thanks, and Charlie’s flame danced happily,
casting golden light on the nearby nativity.
Suddenly, the church door opened
again; this time, it was the priest returning after hearing the wind howl. He
gasped when he saw the glow near the entrance. “Child! Are you all right?”
The girl nodded. “This candle kept
me warm.”
The priest looked down at Charlie,
whose wax was nearly half melted. “You may have saved her life, little one,” he
said softly.
Charlie’s flame flickered with joy.
He had never felt prouder.
The priest carefully lifted Charlie
and placed him right on the altar beside the tall candles. “You’ve earned your
place here tonight,” he said.
When the midnight service began,
Charlie’s light joined the others, glowing warmly across the church. The girl
sat with the choir, now safe and smiling, her eyes reflecting the candlelight.
As the congregation sang Silent
Night, Charlie thought about what Gloria had said: “Every light has its
purpose.”
He realized that God had given him
exactly the moment he was meant to shine, not to be seen, but to bring warmth
and hope when it was needed most.
And that night, the smallest candle
in the church became the brightest light in every heart.
Poem
A single flame, so small, so bright,
Can chase away the darkest night.
A humble glow, a steady gleam,
Can warm a heart and spark a dream.
When love burns pure, it lights the way.
Through silent nights and Christmas Day.
For kindness shines, both near and far,
Each heart is a light; each soul is a star.
Questions
for Thought
1.
Why did Charlie think he wasn’t
important at first?
2.
How did God use Charlie to help the
little girl?
3.
What does this
story teach us about sharing our light with others?
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