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Scéalta na Nollag
Naíonáin Bheaga Múinteoir Caitríona
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer,
Had a very shiny nose.
And if you ever saw him,
You would even say it glows.
All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names.
They never let poor Rudolph
Join in any reindeer games.
Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say:
“Rudolph with your nose so bright,
Won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?”
Then all the reindeer loved him
as they shouted out with glee,
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer,
You’ll go down in history!
Naíonáin Shóisir Rang Siobhán
Santa Claus is coming to-night
Guess who is coming to-night
When we are all asleep.
It’s Santa Claus of course,
Coming on Christmas Eve.
I wonder what he will bring
In his magic sleigh
A big strong sack full of
Presents and toys
For all the girls and boys.
Look at the Christmas tree,
Look at the presents.
Look at all the little children fast asleep,
Oh, Santa Claus is coming to-night.
A Red hat,
A white beard.
Black boots
And a full bag
Santa Claus is coming tonight.
Naíonáin Shinsir Muinteoir Kim
Little Angel
The night was so cold, full of snowflake stars,
It was Micah’s turn to keep watch over the sheep, while the other shepherds slept.
Suddenly the air was full of singing and the sky blizzard-white with angels.
“Don’t be afraid!” cried the Archangel.
“Wonderful news!
A baby was born tonight called Jesus –
a king to save the world!
He’s in a stable, in Bethlehem! Go and see!”
Then upwards soared the angels.
Their singing grew softer, and they were gone.
“We must see this baby! Now! Tonight!”
The shepherds exclaimed.
“Micah, you stay here. Someone must stay with the sheep.”
“Oh, but…” Too late. They were already singing their way across the fields into the dark.
Micah was afraid. “What if a wolf comes?” he whispered.
Somewhere a sheep bleated in the dark. Or did it?
The cry came again. Micah strained his ears to hear.
“Help! Help!” It was not very far away.
A little angel hung upside down in a tree,
Her wings in tatters.
“I got caught up,” she said. “The others went back to watch over Jesus. I called out for help, but they were singing too loud. They went without me!”
Micah helped her down. “I was left behind too,” he said.
“Have you seen him? The little king?”
Oh yes! He was wonderful! Marvellous! I can’t describe.....
But I must catch them up! In the morning they will leave for the Country of Angels and I may never get home! Only the Archangel can mend my wings.”
“And I must get back to my flock,” said Micah.
“What flock?” asked the little angel.
But for two old ewes, there was not a sheep to be seen.
“A wolf must have come by and scattered them.”
Micah wailed. “I must find them! I was left in charge!”
“I’ll help you look,” said the little angel.
“Angels are supposed to help people.”
“No, no. You must catch up with the other angels,” said Micah.
“Get your wings mended. Go quickly. I’ll manage.”
The shepherd boy watched her go. First she stepped into a rabbit hole. Then she tripped over a root. Next she went sprawling into a ditch. Then she sank deep into a bog.
“I think I had better take you there,” said Micah, helping her out. “You might meet a wolf on the way.”
“It must be wonderful to be a shepherd,” said the little angel.
“Oh, but to run messages for God!” said Micah. “To fly in among the planets and stars! That would be so fine!”
“For someone who liked high places, I suppose,” the little angel said. “But I’m afraid of flying.”
The shepherd boy held her hand. “It’s wolves with me.”
He had never told anyone before. “I’m terrified of wolves.”
Suddenly a great grey wolf sprang into their path. Its eyes were pale and flecked with red. Its teeth were icicles, dripping. The shepherd boy felt his heart shrink and his mouth run dry. He stepped in front of the little angel, fumbling for his slingshot. But all of a sudden, the little angel leapt at the wolf. Angel and wolf rolled across the ground -
grey fur and frayed feathers.
Micah swung his slingshot, but dared not hurl the stone, for fear of hitting his friend. Then the wolf was on its back……… and the little angel was laughing out loud!
The wolf too was grinning and its bushy tail thumped the ground. The angel was tickling the wolf!
“I like animals,” she said. And they all walked on to Bethlehem.
As they got closer to the town, they thought the streets were full of snow. Then they saw what had become of Micah’s sheep.
The sheep, too, had heard the cry of the angels, and come on a journey of their won to Bethlehem, to the stable.
“I suppose everyone wants to see the newborn king,” said Micah. They could hear the angels singing softly.
“Come in with me,” said the little angel.
“Can’t” said Micah. “The shepherds would see me.
They’d know I left the field.”
“They won’t see us if we creep in at the back,” said the little angel. “And there will never be a more marvellous sight in the history of the world!”
So Micah and the little angel crept inside the stable.
They saw the happy mother and father, saw the donkey and the ox. But best of all, they saw the baby king sleeping peacefully in a box of straw. Micah opened his eyes wide as wide, so that he would see everything and remember it all, all of his life. Then they crept outside to where the Archangel was waiting.
“Oh, there you are,” whispered the Archangel. “I was worried about you. I see you met with a bit of bad luck.” “Not at all,” said the little angel, as her drooping wings were mended. “The best luck in the world! I made a friend.”
Micah said, “I must drive the sheep back now.”
“I’ll help you,” said the little angel. “Wolf and I.”
They joined hands for the long walk back. Suddenly Micah’s feet rose gently off the ground.
“I can fly! I can fly! But how can that be?”
“A touch of the Archangel’s wings?” she suggested.
“Or a gift from the baby king,” he replied.
Below them, Wolf drove the sheep home over the moonlit ground.
“We should change places!” cried the little angel.
I could stay here among the animals, you go flying among the planets!” “Yes! Because you’re not afraid of wolves!” cried Micah. “…though, of course, neither am I any more.”
“How strange!” his friend exclaimed. “I’m not afraid of flying either! But how could that be?”
“The touch of the Archangel?” he suggested.
“Or a gift from the baby king,” she replied.
Towards morning, the Christmas angels flocked back to the Country of Angels and the littlest angel never again complained at how high they flew.
Each Christmas night after that, while the older shepherds slept and the youngest kept watch, a little angel came visiting from beyond the whirling planets.
Naíonáin Mhóra Múinteoir Karla
The Jolly Christmas Postman
Once upon a Christmas Eve
Just after it had snowed,
The Jolly Postman (him again!)
Came down the jolly road;
And in the bag upon his back
An . . . interesting load.
First stop: Four Bears Cottage.
A Christmas card for Baby Bear,
A baby bear who’s shy.
A mummy up a ladder;
A postman with a pie.
A postman on his bike again:
Ta, ta! Take care! Bye-bye!
And, by and by, second stop,
He comes to Red Riding Hood’s house.
The Postman gets back on his bike
And rides another mile.
A crooked mile, in actual fact,
It takes him quite a while.
He never finds the sixpence, though,
Or, come to that, the stile.
And, besides, the crooked man has it.
Next stop: the hospital!
But now its really snowing,
And the winter wind is blowing,
And the daylight, it is going.
So the Jolly Postman – jolly cold –
Has just now way of knowing
Where he is . . .
He stops beside a wall of ice.
He spies a crack of light.
He finds a little golden door. . .
And disappears from sight,
Along a tunnel, dark and cool,
To a workshop, warm and bright.
A cup of tea with Santa,
And Mrs. Santa, too.
‘Got any children’s letters?’
The Postman smiles, ‘A few!’
‘Well, fancy that,’ says Santa.
‘Now – we’ve got one for you!.
Rang 1 Múinteoirí Tricia agus Nóra
The Story of Babushka
Once in a small Russian town, there lived a woman called Babushka. Babushka always had work to do sweeping, polishing, dusting and cleaning. Her house was the best kept, most tidy house in the whole village. One evening she was busy dusting and cleaning, so busy that she didn't hear all the villagers outside in the village square talking about and looking at the new star in sky.
But the one thing that she couldn't miss was the loud knocking on her front door!
'Now what is that?' she wondered, opening the door. Babushka gaped in amazement. There were three kings at her door with one of their servants! 'My masters need a place to rest,' the servant said, 'and yours is the best house in the village.' 'You want to stay here?' asked Babushka. 'Yes, it would only be until night falls and the star appears again,' the servant replied. Babushka gulped. 'Come in, then,' she said.
Come with us when the star appears tonight,' he said. 'I'll think about it,' sighed Babushka.
Babushka shook herself. There was no time for dreaming, all this washing-up and putting away had to be done. 'Anyway,' she thought, 'how long would she be away? What would she wear? 'There is so much to do. The house will have to be cleaned when they've gone. I couldn't just leave it.' Suddenly it was night-time again and the star was in the sky. 'Are you ready, Babushka?' asked Balthasar. 'I'll come tomorrow,' Babushka called, 'I must just tidy here first and find a gift.'
The kings went away sadly. Babushka ran back into her house, keen to get on with her work.
Suddenly it was morning! The star had came and gone. She could easily catch up with them, but she felt so tired. She had to sleep. The next thing she knew, she was awake and it was dark outside. She had slept all day! She quickly pulled on her cloak, and ran down the path the kings had taken.
' For days Babushka followed the trail of the kings. But Babushka never stopped. Then she came to a city.. 'What about three kings?' asked Babushka. 'Oh yes, they came here, but they didn't stay long. They were soon on their journey.' 'But where to?' asked Babushka. ‘Bethlehem, which was the place. I don't imagine why... She set off towards Bethlehem. . She went into the local inn and asked about the kings. 'Oh yes,' said the landlord, 'the kings were here two days ago. And what about a baby?' Babushka cried. 'Yes there was.' Said the landlord. . She knew now that the baby king was the most important thing in the world to her. 'They have gone to Egypt, and safety,' he told Babushka. 'And the kings have returned to their countries. But one of them told me about you. I am sorry but you are too late. It was Jesus that they found, the world's Saviour.'
Babushka was very sad that she had missed Jesus and it is said that Babushka is still looking for him.
Rang 1 Múinteoir Eamonn
Rudolph – Missing in Cork
“Get up Santa, put on your socks. The reindeer are ready and
waiting! “O.K. so, that’s fine –
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen –
where’s Rudolph?”
He left for Cork two minutes ago – gone with me – come on let’s
go hip hip hop.
Santa left the North Pole immediately with the reindeer – to
go to look for Rudolph . Hip hip hip hip
Finland, Sweden, Norway, Scotland, England, Wales, Cork uuuuu!
Something tall was jutting up into the sky – who was it but
Clíona Giraffe – with her head held high in the air.
“Welcome to Fota, Santa Claus and all your reindeer. You are
very early this year. It is only the 1st of January. Dear Clíona,
we’re searching for Rudolph. He is missing somewhere on the
banks of the Lee. Hup hup ho ho– bye bye.
Look at that! – A fish swimming in the clouds! Listen! –
They flew over the fish and discovered it was on top of
Shandon – hip, hop, ho– Rudolph – where are you? – I’ll ask the
angel over there.
“Sacred Angel on the Banks of the Lee – have you seen Rudolph ?
– he is missing you see. I showed him St. Finbarr’s Cathedral
– but there is one place he could be and that is praying in the at the Lough”.
Off they went to the Lough – following a local swan – Welcome to Cork – Centre of the World Rudolph – He is praying by the Manger – in the middle of the Lough.
Jesus in the Manger
On the island in the Lough.
As quiet as a swan – asleep in the hay.
“Jesus my saviour, hear my prayer –
Sleep well and welcome to Cork.
Rang 2 Múinteoir Fióna
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
It was a cold, cold winter’s night. In a cottage in the country, a little boy lay sleeping. At first light, he woke up, yawned and sat up. Everything was covered in snow. He got dressed as fast as he could and rushed out into the snow. First of all he made some giant footsteps. Then he threw a snowball straight into the kitchen window. The little boy wandered off, wondering what to do. And it was at exactly this moment that he got the idea of building a snowman.
He built a great column of snow the size of a man and a great big snowball to go on top of it. Then he fetched a scarf and a hat, a tangerine for the nose and coal for the eyes. At last the snowman was finished. Soon the little boy had to go to bed, leaving the snowman standing all alone.
When the little boy awoke, he tiptoed to the window and peered down at the snowman. Suddenly, the snowman MOVED. He walked towards the boy. Together they tiptoed into the living room. The cat was sleeping peacefully by the fire. When the cat saw the snowman, he was terrified and leaped into the air! The snowman jumped backwards and lurched into the Christmas tree, setting all the little bells ringing.
Next they hurried into the kitchen, the snowman took fruit from the fruit bowl on the table and tried on an orange for a nose. Then he tried on a pear, a banana, a cherry and a huge pineapple. However, his own tangerine fitted best so he put it back on.
After that, they went upstairs. They paused outside his parents’ room. “Be very quiet”, said the boy. “Shhhh….. A perfume spray stood on the dressing table. The snowman squirted it. He liked it. Suddenly the perfume made him want to sneeze. He held his nose. He mustn’t sneeze in the bedroom. The boy hurried him out of the room and then he sneezed!
Rang 2 Múinteoir Caoilfhionn
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
They tiptoed down the stairs and into the garden. . Standing there was a bright, shiny new motorbike. Suddenly the snowman and the little boy were racing around the garden on the bike. Afterwards, without warning the snowman hopped off the bike, grabbed the boy firmly by the hand and began to run out into the snow, out across the garden, faster and faster, bounding and jumping until suddenly the boy realised that they were FLYING!
We're walking in the air
We're floating in the moonlit sky
The people far below are sleeping as we fly
Suddenly swooping low on an ocean deep
Arousing of a mighty monster from its sleep
We're walking in the air
We're floating in the midnight sky
And everyone who sees us greets us as we fly
Over seas and mountains, they flew until at last they landed in the North Pole. In the forest, a Christmas party was taking place and all the people at the party were snowmen! And there right in the middle of them, was Father Christmas. “You’re in time for the dance of the snowmen”, he chuckled and clicked his fingers. All the snowmen began to dance. Soon it was time for them to go home. Once again, they started to run, faster and faster, bounding and jumping until they were flying!
At last, they landed in the garden and walked slowly to the house. The little boy shook hands with the snowman and gave him a goodnight hug.
In the morning, the little boy rushed out to find his friend. The sun had come out and melted all the snow. The snowman was gone. Had it all been a dream?
Rang 3 Múinteoir Jacinta
The Christmas Story
Long long ago in a town called Nazareth there lived a young girl named Mary who was engaged to be married to Joseph who was a carpenter.
One day the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary with good news.
“Don’t be afraid”, she told her – “I bring you good news. – You will give birth to a baby named Jesus – the Son of God.
Far away Caesar Augustus the Roman Emperor was very concerned as he was unsure of how many people were living in his empire. He decided to hold a census which meant everybody had to travel to their home village to register their name in a big book.
Mary: “Joseph, we have to travel to Bethlehem'.
Joseph: “That’s fine, Mary, I will prepare the donkey for the journey.
It was along tiresome journey and by the time they
reached Bethlehem they were exhausted. Bethlehem was
extremely busy and it was impossible for the young couple to
find a room to rent for the night.
Joseph knocked on the first door .– “Excuse me, have you any
room please”, - “No, I’m sorry. Our house is full” and
the door closed with a bang. He knocked on the second door. –
“Have you any room please” said Joseph - “No, I’m Sorry. Our house is full” and that door was also closed.
Joseph knocked on the third door- “Have you any room please”,
Mary is about to have a baby”. “There is no room here
Unfortunately” was the reply “but I do have a stable in my yard
which you are welcome to use”. “Thank you very much” Joseph
replied.
The stable was warm and cosy. There was an ox and a donkey
there too. A wonderful event occurred that night – Baby
Jesus was born. Mary took him in her arms and she rocked
him gently.
Very quickly the news of the birth of Jesus spread and crowds
of people came to see him.
High up on the hills the Shepherds were minding their sheep.
It was freezing cold and they sat around a fire they had built.
Gloria.
They saw an angel. They were frightened but the angel spoke
to them kindly.
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news. To-night Baby
Jesus was born – go on see Him lying in the manger.
They went into the stable and they saw Baby Jesus.
They bore him great gifts –
“I bring you cheese as a gift”,
“I bring you a lamb as a gift”,
“Here is a foal to keep you warm”,
“Thank you very much”, said Mary.
In a far away land there were three wise men that were very
clever men and had read that a very special baby was to be
born. A new star would shine in the night sky to announce the
birth of the baby.
“I saw a new star tonight. A new king is born – we must find
him, we must follow the star”.
The three wise men, Casper, Balthazar and Melchior travelled
to see Baby Jesus. They bore him gifts of Gold,
Frankinscense and Myrrh. They laid the gifts at the manger.
That is the story of the very first Christmas.
Rang 3/4 Múinteoir Maria
The Christmas Elf
Composed by Colm O’Dubhghaill.
Translated by Alannah Bertwistle
One Christmas eve Santa was getting ready for the journey and got all the elves to get ready too. There was one elf that was straight after starting to work for Santa Claus. He gave loads of sweets to Rudolph. Then Rudolph got sugar rush and became very giddy. He ran into a wall and died. Santa was very sorry to lose Rudolph like that and he fired the elf.
A couple of minutes after that it was time to leave for Santa Claus. He loaded the sleigh and off he went but without Rudolph and his nose – he could not see a thing. A couple of seconds later Santa bashed into a street lamp. The sleigh fell to the ground. Santa Claus was hurt desperately. – He was not able to walk. But lucky him, who did he see coming his way but the very same elf that he had fired. Santa Claus screamed “Come here” he said “What’s wrong with you”? Asked the elf. “Can you help me? If you help me you will get your job back”, he said. So the elf helped Santa Claus. He managed to get a wheelchair for Santa. They got up on to the sleigh to deliver the presents. Santa Claus was unable to move so the elf had to throw the presents out of the sleigh. A couple of presents fell on the roof but he managed to get most of them into the chimneys. When they returned Santa Claus had to go to Accident and Emergency at the North Pole and in the end he was o.k. again.
Christmas
By Amy Mason
Christmas is coming
Oh joy for me !
The turkey will be dressed
And eaten for tea.
The lights on the tree will be
Colourful and gay,
Last night our house glistened
By night and by day
My letter to Santa will go off quick,
To make sure I get a pressie from good ole Saint Nick !
All children of the world
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