As a child of Scandinavian heritage, I bought into an ancient Nordic legend—that at the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, animals talked! Each year I was determined to keep my eyes open until the appointed hour. I could hardly wait to hear one of our beloved family pets wish me “Merry Christmas” with human words. Of course, my little head would begin to nod and I was asleep long before twelve o’clock. I’d have to wait another full year to witness our German shepherd speaking English. One December, when I was finally able to stay awake until midnight, I cornered our scraggly white cat Opal. As much as I chattered on, she refused to converse. Was Opal a stubborn feline or had I been duped by an old wives’ tale?
Years later, this legend came to mind while I was writing poems for my second children’s book. I thought it would be fun to experience the first Christmas through the words of the barnyard animals gathered around the manger. Though the memory of Opal’s verbal deficiency left me forever skeptical, I did remember the directive in Psalm 150:6, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” I decided to let the gentle creatures in the story praise the newborn king, each in its own language. Enjoy! Discover kid stories youtube and watch them with your kid.
Poem from “Zack, You’re Acting Zany!” text © 2009 Marty Nystrom, illustrations © 2009 Steve Björkman. Published by Standard Publishing (www.standardpub.com). Used by permission
About Marty Nystrom
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| Marty Nystrom |
Marty Nystrom is the composer of the worship classic, “As The Deer”. He has written over 120 songs published and recorded by Integrity Music and Maranatha! Music. His children’s books, “Don’t Mess With Moses!”, and “Zack, You’re Acting Zany!” are distributed by Standard Publishing.
He resides in Kenmore, Washington with his wife, Jeanne. They have two adult sons, Nathan and Benjamin, and a grandson, Joshua.
Leave a comment and your email address or contact info. You may be selected randomly to receive a free copy of one of Marty’s children’s books, “Don’t Mess with Moses!” or “Zack, You’re Acting Zany!” USA & Canada! Winners have one week to respond.
Congratulations to Jackie M, last week’s winner of one of Ane Mulligan’s scarves!
This sounds wonderful I am sure my grandkids would love this. Would love to win. I want to see what the animals have to say.
Blessings
Diana
joeym11@frontier.com
Hello Diana, the poems in my books are fun to read WITH grandkids. Plenty of smiles there for grandparents too. The lively stories stir up great conversation between the generations. God bless, Marty
What a blessing I won!!! I just know we are going to enjoy it, I just got it in the mail today and read 3 stories and I was smiling. Can’t wait to read to my grandkids. Thanks so much
I’m so glad you won and that you’re enjoying Marty Nystrom’s book, Diana! Give your grandkids a hug from me!
Thanks, Diana! Marty Nystrom is a multi-talented man and the illustrations are outstanding! Both adults & children will enjoy. Good luck in the contest!
Wow Kate! Thanks for the kind and generous endorsement! – Marty
I love Marty’s songs and books! My daughter and I have read both of these, they are must-haves! He is such a blessing to many. I also appreciate his kind humility, always longing to bring glory to the Lord. I loved reading about his experience, thanks for sharing!
mommamindy@msn.com
Thank you Mindy for your kind words. My work schedule changes January 1st allowing me to attend the monthly NCWA meetings. I look forward to reconnecting with local writers. Hope to see you there, Marty
These look so fun! I’d love to win one to donate to my daughter’s Christian school library!
Hello Lynnette. My books have been well received by Christian schools. I’ve had the privilege of being a guest author at reading and literature events at many Christian schools. Always great fun to see kids learn more about God’s Word.
Love the looks of the Christmas Book. A refreshing approach for kids to learn about Christmas. All of Marty’s books are so cute!
Jan Cline
janclineauthor@gmail.com
Hi Jan, thanks for the encouragement. I was blessed to have parents and grandparents who read to their children from the Bible after every evening meal. I grew up loving the stories from God’s Word. My hope is that my books lead kids back to the source these fun poems – the Bible.
Hi Kate ,I would love to win one of Marty’s books,.Please enter me in the contest,I have never anything of his and I’m sure it would be great.Thanks,linda
Hi Linda, we’ll be sure to include your name in the drawing. I wrote these books for kids but with grown-ups in mind as well. God bless, Marty
I meant to say I have never read anything of Martys.Thanks again,Linda
I have grandchildren that I could read this with. Thank you for the opportunity 🙂
Hi Loretta, my richest spiritual influences of my childhood were my Dutch grandparents on my mother’s side, Grandma Reka and Grandpa Jake. I first heard most of the familiar Bible stories when I visited their home for sleep-overs. They loved God and His Word and it was obvious to me at a very early age. I will forever be grateful for reading to me as a child.
The pictures are absolutely beautiful!!!! Would love to win a copy of one of your books.
Hi Rob, I was thrilled when Standard Publishing chose veteran illustrator Steve Bjorkman to provide the artwork for my books. His watercolors are bright, colorful, engaging and funny! Hope you get a chance to see all 120 poems enhanced by this masterful artist!
Hello Kate. So, animals talk at midnight. I’ve never heard this one, but I’m sure I’d have had to test it out. As the Deer is a popular song at our church. I have a lot of young great-grandchildren and I am sure any or all would love to read these books. Thanks for the chance to win. MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com
Hi Maxie, well, animals may not talk but they can provide effective pictures to teach spiritual principles. Psalm 42:1 is a great example. The thirsty deer’s longing for a cool refreshing drink reminds us to stay desirous for God’s presence in our lives. Hope you have a chance to read these fun poems to your great-grandchildren. God bless, Marty
My parents always told me this also. I did hear my cat, however, or was it my dad playing ventriloquist??? Sonja dot nishimoto at Gmail dot com
Hi Sonja, your dad sounds a lot like mine – a constant prankster! Not sure why he didn’t try to fool me as I tried to converse with out cat. God bless, Marty
Two of my favorite books; from the poems to the illustrations to the scriptures these two books are ageless.
Wow! Thanks for the encouragement Mary Jo. The principles and lessons delivered through these fun poems are ageless because their source is the Rock of Ages! God bless you, Marty
These books are great!! My nephew would love it. He’s our miracle child. Born with intestines twisted and knotted and usually the babies don’t make it. After a lot of powerful prayers from many people and a few surgeries, God gave us mercy and gave us Tristan. Would love to win. Thank you for the opportunity to enter this giveaway and please enter my name.
Barbara Thompson
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hello Barbara, I rejoice with you over the miracle of Tristan’s healing! May he grow to be a powerful man of God! God obviously had great plans for this young man. We will be sure to include your name in the give-away! God bless, Marty Nystrom
What another great way to introduce praise to young children and to reinforce the story of THE CHRIST CHILD!
would love to win Thank you
mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Jackie, It’s always fun to find fresh ways to explain, encourage, and engage children in worship. We will be sure to enter your name in the give-away. God bless, Marty
love the story about animals talking at midnight Christmas Eve… this would be fun to read and I LOVE the song “As the Deer!!!” dllynam at cox dot net
Hi Anonymous, hopefully you were able to read the poem on the blog site. I know the print was small. Thank you for your kind words regarding “As the Deer.” I wrote the song as a heart-broken 24-year old man. That was 33 years ago. Today I am a grandpa and still longing for more of God. Bless you, Marty
I didn’t grow up with this legend, but I love the idea of animal’s talking at the birth of Christ. Will they do it again when he returns?
Hello Judy, your name sounds vaguely familiar. Did you by chance write the classic book on marriage, “When Love Dies”? It’s impacted many.
I don’t know the theology of animal talk but I do know the Psalms command everything with breath to praise God. The book of Romans says that all creation declares that God exists! God bless, Marty