‘The setting for our Christmas story today is a mountainous region far away, a land of hills and fields. There lived three men there…’
A small hand shot up, ‘Was one of them Santa?’
‘No, one of them was not Santa. As I was saying, there lived three men there who tended to their flock of…’
‘Reindeer!’
‘No, not reindeer, please out your hand down and sit quietly. Their flock of sheep. As the sun set behind the hills one night the shepherds lay sleeping. They awoke and saw a strange light in the sky…’
‘Santa’s sleigh!’
‘…It was an…’
‘Elf!’
‘…angel of the Lord, who said to them a Saviour had been born that day in…’
‘The North Pole!’
‘…a manger, wrapped in cloth. The shepherds decided to visit Bethlehem to see this child for themselves. They found him in a stable…’
‘Did they bring him presents?’
‘No, that was the three Wise Men who come next.’
‘Tsk,’ There was a collective shaking of heads from the class. ‘I’m not sure these shepherds know the true meaning of Christmas.’

This is a response to the #writephoto Prompt – Setting curated over at Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo. Click on the link to read other stories inspired by the image.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Great New Year to all, especially those who have read, liked and commented on my blog throughout the year, and have provided me with endless stories to enjoy in return. And a special mention to all those who have taken the time to buy and read my novel – thank you so much, it means so much to me. Here’s to the next year of blogging fun! Iain.
My new novel, ‘A Justified State,’ is now available in Paperback and on Amazon Kindle.
‘a first class read from start to finish’ – reader review
Amazon.com / Amazon.co.uk / Book Depository
Cho chuweett… Love this Christmas folklore
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Thank you 🙂
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No present no Christmas. What will supermarkets say?
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The whole economy would collapse!
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What a cute story, Iain. It made me chuckle. A delightful way to start the day.
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Thank you, glad it gave you a smile 🙂
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It did. I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas 🙂
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Thank you, and to you too 🙂
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oh the painful irony
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Painful because it’s true! Thank you 🙂
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Love this! Very moving and sadly, true.
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Thank you Jordy 🙂
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I cn just picture that scene, Iain 🙂
Happy Christmas to you!
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Thank you Sue 😉
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Excellent!! Happy Christmas to you too !
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Thank you Violet 😉
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Love this story! Merry Christmas to you and your family Iain, and thanks for all the smiles you have brought with your stories through the year!
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Thank you and the same to you. Thank you for reading and commenting and your continued support 🙂
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*chuckle*
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🙂
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So true Iain, our young generation has lost the true meaning of Christmas.
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They have certainly found a new meaning for it.
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Right on.
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Very cute. My daughter has just started as a 1st grade teacher’s assistant this year and I could easily see her coming home with a story like this. I finished A Justified State last night. Loved it. Left a review on Goodreads and I’ll be doing a blog post about it which I will link to you. Thanks for sharing all your stories this year. Glad I stumbled across your blog in the A to Z! Hope you have a great Christmas with your family. Janet
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Thank you Janet, this story was also inspired by my own kids at the moment! Thank you for reading and commenting on my writing this year Janet, it really is appreciated so much. Had a quick look at Goodreads – thank you for the 5* review, look forward to reading your thoughts in your blog post! Have a great Christmas and restful holiday season, Iain 🙂
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Ha ha! This story reminded me of taking a group of seven year olds to visit our cathedral. The guide had them looking at the carvings over the central door, a nativity scene, and said, that since they all knew who was in that picture (they didn’t) who could tell him who were the three figures on the left. About a dozen hands shot up. First kid he asks says, The Three Musketeers?
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Ah yes, the Three Musketeers in the nativity – great idea for a story! 🙂
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Historical fantasy?
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Love your take Iain.
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Thank you Di 🙂
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A very cute story. I could picture the teacher’s amused frustration and the kids shaking their heads. I hope that you and your family have a wonderful holiday time! 🙂
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Thank you Brenda, and the same to you and yours 🙂
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Smiling and wishing you A Very Merry Christmas! 🙂
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Thank you Bette, and a Merry Christmas to you too 🙂
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These teachers are such ignoramuses 🙂
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They’ll never learn 😉
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Many a true word spoken in jest, thoroughly enjoyable
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Thank you Bobby 🙂
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Well done, Iain!
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Thanks Jennie 🙂
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You’re welcome, Iain. 🙂
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Love this Ian💜
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Thank you 🙂
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It a pleasure, Happy Christmas 💜
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And a Happy Christmas to you too 🙂
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🤔😀💜💜💜🍾🍾🍾
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I can imagine reading to that group. That was fun!
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Thank you Karen 🙂
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Very sweet tale. 🙂
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