A Storytime Moment Filled with Wonder and Light

One of the sweetest parts of the Christmas season is how stories draw us together. Whether it’s a familiar retelling of the Nativity, a cozy picture book before bed, or a quiet morning read-aloud with little ones gathered close, storytime has a way of slowing December into something gentler, something still, something meaningful.

Today in our 12 Days of Christmas in Clover Meadow, we settle into that softness. We open the pages of Buzzby and the Bethlehem Star and step into the moment Buzzby’s journey truly begins.

This is the day the story moves from wonder to action.
From seeing the star…
To following it.

And children feel the significance of that shift.

They see a tiny bumblebee brave enough to begin something new.
They see courage formed not from strength, but from curiosity and hope.
And they learn that sometimes all God asks of us is to take the first step toward the light.

A Line From the Book to Begin Our Journey Together

“Buzzby looked up at the shining star and felt something warm and bright inside him. He knew he had to follow the light.”

It’s a simple line, but it carries the entire heartbeat of the story.

This is where Buzzby’s adventure transforms from watching to wondering, and from wondering to walking. It mirrors how many children approach faith: they see something beautiful, something hopeful, something loving… and their hearts tug them gently forward.

Following the Star: A Journey Begins

When Buzzby lifts his wings and begins his journey, the landscape of Clover Meadow becomes part of the storytelling. Snowy hills. Quiet fields. Cool night air. The gentle glow of the Bethlehem Star lights each step.

This is a meaningful moment for children because:
• It reinforces perseverance
• It shows faith in action
• It builds emotional awareness around “beginning something new.”
• It connects their world to the Nativity story in a child-friendly, accessible way

Today’s Highlight: The Bethlehem Star 5-Day Learning Kit

Your Bethlehem Star 5-Day Learning Kit was created to extend storytime into hands-on learning through themes like curiosity, perseverance, peace, joy, and giving. On Day 3, the learning kit focuses on “The Quiet Stable,” helping children explore sensory experiences and stillness — the same atmosphere Buzzby discovers as he travels toward Bethlehem.

This kit supports early learners by integrating:
• Visual tracking
• Sequencing
• Sensory exploration
• Language expression
• Emotional understanding

And all of it connects directly back to storytime, making learning feel meaningful instead of separate.

A simple reminder that stories don’t have to stay on the page. They can unfold through movement games, crafts, and conversations that help children experience the journey more deeply.

A Storytime Invitation for Families

Settle in with a warm blanket, soft lights, and a cozy spot on the couch. Open to the early pages of Buzzby and the Bethlehem Star. Read slowly. Let your child notice the colors, the star, the way the meadow glows. Let them wonder out loud.

Then ask a simple question that aligns with your learning kit and discussion cards:

“What do you think it feels like to begin a journey toward something wonderful?”

Children often answer with honesty so pure it becomes its own kind of wisdom.

Why Storytime Matters on This Journey

When we read aloud to children, we invite them into a shared emotional experience. They hear tone, feel rhythm, and sense meaning long before they can articulate it.

Storytime teaches children to:
• Slow down and listen
• Ask questions
• Build empathy
• Imagine themselves as part of God’s story
• Connect reading with warmth and comfort

In Clover Meadow, Buzzby’s journey is childlike yet deeply symbolic. He is small, yet he follows a great light. He is unsure, yet he goes. He is simple, yet God uses his curiosity to guide him toward something extraordinary.

This allows your readers — parents, teachers, and little ones — to connect with the Nativity through a lens that feels safe, gentle, and truly accessible.

A Blessing for Day 3

As you read with your child today, may your home feel wrapped in the same soft glow that lights Buzzby’s wings. May you embrace the sweetness of small beginnings. And may storytime be a moment of calm, connection, and faith-filled wonder in the midst of December’s busyness.

Tomorrow, Buzzby’s journey continues.
Tonight, we simply open the book… and begin.