It was Christmas time on the Tangled Bramble Ranch. Cowboy Tex was excited. Today he was going out with Farmer John, his two kids Bill and Tori, and Davis, one of the cowboys on the ranch. Mrs. Snoopy, Farmer John’s wife, was staying at home and would have hot chocolate and Christmas cookies waiting for them when they came home with the Christmas tree.
“Come on Tex,” Bill’s voice tore through Cowboy Tex’s thoughts. Pretty soon Farmer John and Davis picked out a pretty fir tree. While they cut the tree down, Cowboy Tex wandered off into the woods with Bill and Tori. Suddenly, Tex heard a twig snap loudly. He looked up and around and gave a warning woof. “What’s the matter, Tex?” Bill questioned worriedly. Tex woo “What’s going on kids?” came a voice from the trees behind them. Farmer Brown and Davis were back from the tree. Tex woofed a third time. “Dad, I think Tex is trying to tell us something,” Bill said. “Come on Tex,” Farmer John motioned toward th Davis backed toward the trail a bit. Tex ran behind him and growled. Finally, they waited until Tex let them go. When they finally got home, Mrs. Snoopy met them with hot chocolate and Christmas cookies, as she had promised. They ate them by the big window in the kitchen. As they talked, the ordeal with Tex was brought up. “I don’t know what got into him,” Bill marveled. “It was really weird,” Farmer John added. Suddenly, Tex growled. “Woah, Tex!” Out the window Tex had seen a person all bundled up in furs. “What’s going on, Tex?” Bill asked. Before anyone could do anything more, there was a knock on the door. “I’ll get it,” Tori yelled, running for the door. Then she screeched, “Gran!” They gave her cookies and
The popcorn bursts with a fury and fills the kitchen with its appealing aroma. Cranberries, luffy counterparts. Children in excited anticipation make repeated requests: “Can we decorate the tree?” Little hands help string the popcorn and cranberries; two to one, respectively. Over and over, hands are busy until something nostalgic is created. Lengths of red and white are knotted together to make a
On Christmas Eve in 1864, Minna Walden peered out the window. She sighed, seeing no
“Will the War let Papa come home for Christmas?” She asked her older sister.
“Likely not,” said Helga, “because he did not come last year either.” Sighing, Minna went back to her sewing, sniffing the spicy smell of traditional German Lebkuchen in the kitchen for comfort. Lena, the youngest Walden, was maniacally mixing the spicy dough, spilling
“Lena, if you don’t keep some of that dough in the bowl, there won’t be any to eat!” Mama said. Lena immediately slowed her mixing, making sure not a grain of flour was spilled.
That night, Minna and Helga lay in their bed, praying for their father’s safety in the war be with Papa, and please, please let him come home tomorrow,” Minna prayed.
The next morning, Christmas Day, was filled with Merry Christmases, but without Papa.
Lena looked out the window of the cabin, and suddenly yelped, “Belsnickel is there! I see him!” Belsnickel, or Santa Claus, was walking towards the cabin. Helga looked where Lena was
“That’s not Belsnickel! That’s Papa!” She exclaimed, running out to meet him. Her younger
“How did you get home?” The girls asked, showering him with questions.
“There was an outbreak of sickness and a bunch of us had to leave. I am well now, and I
“Welcome home, Papa,” said Helga, “and I thank God for your health and safety.”
“Me too,” said Papa, “because of the Lord’s good will.”
Inspired by our cherished past publication, the Christmas Essay Contest, Christmas Expressions: A Creative Collection offers even more opportunities to showcase the creativity within our community. This publication highlights the essays, short stories, and art of local children from first through eighth grades, as well as adults this year.
This section features this year’s winning submissions and other selections. We hope you enjoy them as much as we have. May the true spirit of Christmas be with your family this holiday season!
Cat Shannon writes for the Columbia/Wrightsville, Elizabethtown, Mount Joy and Manheim Merchandisers, sharing stories from the community she’s called home for more than 50 years. When she’s not writing, she enjoys life with her husband, their two grown daughters, two cats and one very short, very round corgi.
Ashley Shepherd is the proofreader and copy editor for the Merchandisers, Advertisers, Pennysavers, and Community Couriers. A lifelong resident of Lancaster County and a graduate of Liberty University, she loves the craft of storytelling and spends hours reading and creating her own story ideas. In addition to reading and writing, Ashley enjoys traveling, building puzzles, and playing games with friends.
Fawn Stephenson-Lilly is a graphic artist at Engle Printing & Publishing Co., Inc. She has been in Engle’s Creative Department for over 25 years. She is a fine artist who shows and sells her original artwork locally. She loves to travel to visit art galleries and ride her bicycle on rail trails. Fawn calls herself a yoga tourist because she loves to visit new yoga studios.
Melissa McKee is the Specialty Publications Expert at Engle Printing & Publishing Co., Inc. She designs more than a dozen special publications, including the award-winning Gift Local, Lancaster Family and PA Outdoors: Woods and Waterways. She has been in the Creative Department for over 25 years. Outside of work, she loves all things nature, including working in her gardens and relaxing by her pond near its resident frogs.
WINNER
Essay/Short Story - Elementary (1st-5th)
Audriana Stoltzfus
Age 10 | Lancaster
Cowboy Tex and the Christmas Surprise
by Audriana Stoltzfus
It was Christmas time on the Tangled Bramble Ranch. Cowboy Tex was excited. Today he was going out with Farmer John, his two kids Bill and Tori, and Davis, one of the cowboys on the ranch. Mrs. Snoopy, Farmer John’s wife, was staying at home and would have hot chocolate and Christmas cookies waiting for them when they came home with the Christmas tree.
“Come on Tex,” Bill’s voice tore through Cowboy Tex’s thoughts. Pretty soon Farmer John and Davis picked out a pretty fir tree. While they cut the tree down, Cowboy Tex wandered off into the woods with Bill and Tori. Suddenly, Tex heard a twig snap loudly. He looked up and around and gave a warning woof. “What’s the matter, Tex?” Bill questioned worriedly. Tex woofed again. “What’s going on kids?” came a voice from the trees behind them. Farmer Brown and Davis were back from the tree. Tex woofed a third time. “Dad, I think Tex is trying to tell us something,” Bill said. “Come on Tex,” Farmer John motioned toward the trail, “Let’s go.” Tex growled. “Woah, Tex,” Davis backed toward the trail a bit. Tex ran behind him and growled. Finally, they waited until Tex let them go.
When they finally got home, Mrs. Snoopy met them with hot chocolate and Christmas cookies, as she had promised. They ate them by the big window in the kitchen. As they talked, the ordeal with Tex was brought up. “I don’t know what got into him,” Bill marveled. “It was really weird,” Farmer John added. Suddenly, Tex growled. “Woah, Tex!” Out the window Tex had seen a person all bundled up in furs. “What’s going on, Tex?” Bill asked. Before anyone could do anything more, there was a knock on the door. “I’ll get it,” Tori yelled, running for the door. Then she screeched, “Gran!” They gave her cookies and stocked Tex full of biscuits. “He was sensing you all the time,” Tori praised.
Essay/Short StoryIntermediate/Middle (6th-8th)
Lila Grubb Age 12 | Leola
by Lila Grubb
On Christmas Eve in 1864, Minna Walden peered out the window. She sighed, seeing no sign of her father.
“Will the War let Papa come home for Christmas?” She asked her older sister.
“Likely not,” said Helga, “because he did not come last year either.” Sighing, Minna went back to her sewing, sniffing the spicy smell of traditional German Lebkuchen in the kitchen for comfort. Lena, the youngest Walden, was maniacally mixing the spicy dough, spilling ingredients all over the table in their cozy log cabin.
“Lena, if you don’t keep some of that dough in the bowl, there won’t be any to eat!” Mama said. Lena immediately slowed her mixing, making sure not a grain of flour was spilled.
That night, Minna and Helga lay in their bed, praying for their father’s safety in the war against the Confederacy, and trying to fall asleep.
“God be with Papa, and please, please let him come home tomorrow,” Minna prayed.
The next morning, Christmas Day, was filled with Merry Christmases, but without Papa. Lena looked out the window of the cabin, and suddenly yelped, “Belsnickel is there! I see him!” Belsnickel, or Santa Claus, was walking towards the cabin. Helga looked where Lena was pointing.
“That’s not Belsnickel! That’s Papa!” She exclaimed, running out to meet him. Her younger sisters followed.
“How did you get home?” The girls asked, showering him with questions.
“There was an outbreak of sickness and a bunch of us had to leave. I am well now, and I was actually more than happy to come back.”
“I love you Papa,” said Lena.
“Merry Christmas!” Said Minna.
“Welcome home, Papa,” said Helga, “and I thank God for your health and safety.”
“Me too,” said Papa, “because of the Lord’s good will.”
WINNER
Essay/Short Story - Adult (18+)
Kiki Martin East Earl
by Kiki Martin
The popcorn bursts with a fury and fills the kitchen with its appealing aroma. Cranberries, scarlet red, wait to be strung in a pattern with their white, fluffy counterparts. Children in excited anticipation make repeated requests: “Can we decorate the tree?”
Little hands help string the popcorn and cranberries; two to one, respectively. Over and over, hands are busy until something nostalgic is created. Lengths of red and white are knotted together to make a festive garland. To the children its a Christmas tree decoration they’re making. To me, its memories.
Memories that will carry on in the lives of my children’s children. Memories that are a continuation of the ones my own mother created for us when we were young. Now I absorb them from a mother’s point of view. Magic that is fleeting, illuminates little faces that look with wonder as the garland they helped create is hung upon the tree. How beautiful it is that something so incredibly simple, like popcorn and cranberries, can generate something so meaningful: a heart full of lasting memories.
We at Furman’s are your local source for plain coffins, traditional and cremation arrangements, urns, and modest funerals.
This holiday season, we’re thankful for our readers, advertisers, and neighbors who make our communities shine bright all year long. Your stories inspire us - and for over 70 years, we’ve been honored to share them!
Philip W. Furman, F.D. & Owner
Michael Proch & Francis Krizner, Funeral Directors
Runner-Up WINNERS
Art - Elementary (1st-5th)
Ava Keller Age 9 | East Earl
Art - Adult (18+)
Kathryn Long New Holland
Art - Intermediate/Middle (6th-8th)
Soluna Labbe
Age 13 | Morgantown
Runner-Up WINNERS
Essay/Short Story - Elementary (1st-5th)
Alivia Stoltzfus
Age 9 | Mohnton
Milo’s Christmas Trip!
by Alivia Stoltzfus
Hi, my name is Milo. I am a cat. On Monday the Stoltzfus family was buzzing about a trip. I was fine with it until Alivia came and said, “Milo we are going on a trip and you are going with us.” I gave a meow of horror. “Don’t worry Milo, it is only 5 hours away.” I was meowless. All I could do was run and find Kitty. After awhile I found Kitty. “Kitty, we’re going on the trip with them!” I was in the garage for a while after that. Then Alivia came in and picked me up. Soon we were in the camper. After 2 hours I went to sleep but when I woke up I was shocked to see little white things drifting down from the sky. Alivia, Luke, Logan and Lane seemed so excited. I just shivered. I was so cold. When we finally got there grandma came to greet us. I stopped listening because I saw a dog there. I cuddled up next to it. The next day everyone was up bright and early. Mom said, Merry Christmas everyone!” Soon wrapping paper was everywhere but Alivia said, “Wait! I have 3 more gifts.” Then she pulled out 2 toy mice. She gave them to me and Kitty. Then Alivia pulled out one more gift - a bone. She gave it to the dog and the dog looked very pleased. Two days later Alivia said, mom can I take Milo and show him to Juliet? It was a blast meeting Juliet, said Milo. Soon we were back home again. “I can’t wait to do that again,” I said to Kitty. “Me too,” Kitty answered with a yawn. “Merry Christmas,” said Kitty.
Essay/Short Story - Adult (18+)
Essay/Short Story - Intermediate/Middle (6th-8th)
Selphie Anderson
Age 11 | Mohnton
The Christmas Witch
by Selphie Anderson
Hollin the witch levitated over the small town of Maplegrove, staring down in curiosity at the small little 1-story houses with their burnttoast colored roofs. She observed a moment longer and then descended, her boots landing softly in the snow with a wet crunching sound. A cold wind blew past, and she shivered, feeling slightly underdressed in her thin robe. She was beginning to regret not wearing something warmer.
After digging around in her bag and failing to find her flame feather, Hollin gave up and approached the first house, stealthily opening the door and then stepping inside, closing the door behind her. She glanced around, noticing there wasn’t much in the house.
Searching for a tree, she eventually found a small, wilting sapling in the corner of what she assumed was the living room, alongside what once might have been a sofa. She frowned as she observed the room, pulling out her staff and waving it around a bit until it started glowing green, and then pointed it at the tree until it perked up and grew to three times its original size. After it was the correct scale, she strung fairy lights all over it and then topped it off with a shining golden star, illuminating the drab, tiny room around it.
Hollin stepped back, admiring her handiwork, then remembered why she was there. She had just finished laying down all the presents and stood when she heard a voice behind her. She turned around and saw a young boy wearing a singular, filthy rag staring at her, and Hollin’s heart broke into a million pieces. The boy cleared his throat and inquired in a small voice: “Santa? Is that… you?” Hollin smiled and said brightly, “Yeah, that’s me; merry Christmas!”
“Magic in the Little Things”
by Shannon Bernard
Snow dusted the windowpanes like sifted sugar as Hannah wrapped the last of the gifts. A gentle flutter of worry nudged at her heart. It wasn’t much, not for Christmas, but it was all she had to give.
For Lily, she’d lovingly repaired the music box her daughter used to fall asleep to, its soft notes of Silent Night trembling back to life. For Ben, she’d found an old fishing lure from his grandfather’s tackle box, polished to a shine. For her husband Caleb, she’d carefully mended his favorite worn scarf, patching the frayed edges with spare wool, each stitch threaded with love.
The little pile beneath the tree seemed too small, too ordinary, and she sank onto the couch, wishing it could be more.
The next morning, the children laughed as they unwrapped their gifts, their joy far louder than the presents themselves could ever be. Ben
held the lure close, his eyes bright with anticipation. Lily turned the music box, giggling as she listened to its familiar tune. A quiet relief settled over Hannah.
Caleb wrapped the patched scarf around his neck and kissed her cheek. “Thank you,” he whispered. “You always find the magic in the little things.”
She smiled, but then her eyes caught something on the tree she had never seen before: a handmade ornament, crafted from yarn and ribbon, filled with glitter and tiny trinkets. The children exchanged secretive smiles, and she realized they had made it for her. Warmth spread through her chest. That little ornament captured every Christmas they had shared — a tiny emblem of their love and togetherness, brightening both the hardest years and the abundant ones.
Then she understood: Christmas wasn’t about grand gestures. It was about the love they shared, shining through the smallest of things.
Shannon Bernard
Morgantown
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Art - Intermediate/Middle (6th-8th)
Addie Lewis
Age 12 | New Holland
Ava Reese Age 12 | New Holland
The Girl Of Christmas
by Ava Reese
My name is Chris Mace Tree. One chilly day, as I sat on my hill with my frosty boughs swaying in the wind, a young girl approached. She grinned, then croaked, “You!” before grinning even wider. Without hesitation, she grabbed a greasy piece of cardboard from a soggy pizza box and plopped it onto my head, securing it with a long piece of yarn. I was appalled. Then, to my horror, she began decorating me with old food wrappers! I had always dreamed of being a Christmas tree, but this was not what I imagined. Instead of gifts beneath my branches, the girl curled up under me and fell asleep! I was stunned.
That night, as I dozed, I dreamed Santa visited and urged me to care for the girl, for no one else could. When I woke, I was troubled but determined. I twisted myself around and, with a SNAPCRACK!, leaped from my stump. I hopped to the old church, found a teddy and a worn quilt in the donation box, and hurried back to create a small bed for her in the snow.
Throughout the winter, I watched over her, and she always shared her moldy pizza with me—bleaurgh. One day, she became very ill. Panic gripped me; I didn’t know what to do. That night, I wished upon the stars for someone to help her. By morning, she was gone. Later that week, I caught sight of her in a warm, cozy building. She smiled and waved, and at that moment, I knew I would never forget her.
Essay/Short
Story - Elementary (1st-5th)
Sawyer Pennington
Age 9 | Mohnton
Christmas Morning
by Sawyer Pennington
In the morning I was so excited. I wondered what presents I was going to get, maybe a fourwheeler! I sat in my room Christmas morning. I woke up at 4:00 clock waiting until it was time. 3 hours later…finally… Yes! Then I opened my gifts. I got Legos, more Legos, markers, a sweater and no fourwheeler. Then my mom asked if I could take the laundry down into the basement. First, I thought everything was normal, but when I was carrying the laundry down I saw a fourwheeler. It was the largest present of them all! I was driving it around all morning while eating candy, until we were going to my grandparents house where everyone would be.
My cousins, and relatives I didn’t even know I had, were going to be there. But when it was time to go I had to stop riding my fourwheeler. Since my grandparents have a big yard, my dad said he could put the fourwheeler in the bed of his truck. Then we went. I was there playing with my cousins and I showed them my fourwheeler but I didn’t ride it there. I love Christmas, it’s my favorite holiday, because this is when Jesus our king was born. Jesus has blessed me with gifts and all that he gives me.
Art - Elementary (1st-5th)
Eliana June Marshall
Age 8 | Morgantown
CHICKEN PIES, LLC.
Featuring one of life’s most savory and delicious comfort foods, join with those who have discovered the “from-scratch” meat pies that are made at Zook’s Homemade Chicken Pies.
Surrounded by Amish farmlands in the heart of the PA Dutch countryside, this family owned and operated business uses special mouth-watering recipes that are making their beef, chicken, and sausage pies more famous with each passing year.
From the humble beginnings in their Amish farmhouse kitchen to a USDA inspected commercial enterprise, the quality and taste of their pies remains the same, even as the distribution has increased from one market stand to multiple stores and farm markets throughout Pennsylvania and surrounding states.
You are always invited to stop by the Zook’s retail store to stock up on these quick and easy meals that are tasty and nutritious too!
In addition to meat pies. Zook’s has a nice selection of specialty food items, including homemade soups, bake-at-home meals and fresh bakery items.
