Before the boys went to bed New Year's Eve, we read them the story called, "The Birds' Christmas Carol" by Kate Douglas Wiggin.  It's in this wonderful book, "A Treasury of Christmas Joy...An Inspirational Collection of Stories, Carols, Verses, & Poems".  

The story is set in the late 1800's and is about a little girl who was born on Christmas Day and was named, Carol, for the Christmas carols her mother heard.  Carol was an unusual child in that she brought peace, joy and unselfish sharing to her family through her words and actions.  However, when she turned 10, she became ill and after consulting a famous physician, her family was told she would die.  Carol did not let her physical limitations stop her from her generous, loving acts though.  She still found ways to love and share with others.  Her last and ultimate act was to give a poor family a beautiful and bountiful Christmas, beyond anything they had ever seen.  Carol even earned money for this event and convinced her mother and father to let her spend the money they would have spent on her for gifts.  Nothing was spared for the lavish Christmas dinner, tree and presents she shared with the poor family's children.

We challenged our boys in the coming new year to find ways of following Carol's example....of being resourceful and creative in finding ways to share with others.