THE NIGHT THE SNOW STOOD STILL
A Winter Story of Family, Faith, and the Blessed Hope
There is a small town tucked between two hills in northern Ohio where winters arrive early and stay late. In that town lived an elderly widow named Evelyn Harper, known for her warm gingerbread, her gentle laugh, and her unwavering belief that Jesus could return at any moment. Her neighbors said she had a way of making heaven feel close—like stepping through her front door brought you one breath nearer to glory.
Every December, Evelyn hosted a simple gathering for the neighborhood children. She called it “The Night the Snow Stood Still.” It wasn’t fancy—just cocoa, cookies, and a story by the fire—but the children came running as though she were handing out treasure.
That winter, a fierce storm rolled in on the very night of the gathering. Parents hesitated, but the children begged, and soon a small crowd of boots and mittens filled Evelyn’s porch. She welcomed them in with her usual sparkle.
Inside, the fire crackled. Snow tapped the windows like soft fingertips. The children settled on quilts while Evelyn opened her worn Bible.
“I want to tell you a true story,” she began. “A story about my father.”
The room grew still.
“When I was a girl,” she said, “my father worked long hours at the mill. But every night—no matter how tired he was—he would step onto the porch, look up at the sky, and say, ‘Maybe tonight, Evie. Maybe tonight the Lord will come for us.’”
She smiled at the memory.
“One night, a terrible storm hit. The power went out. The wind howled. I was frightened. But my father lit a lantern, wrapped me in a blanket, and carried me outside. The snow was falling sideways, and the trees bent low. But he whispered, ‘Evie, even storms obey Him. And one day, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, He will call His children home.’”
The children leaned in.
“That night,” she continued, “the storm suddenly stopped. Just… stopped. The snowflakes hung in the air like they were waiting. My father said, ‘See, Evie? Even creation pauses when it remembers its Maker.’”
She closed her Bible gently.
“That moment stayed with me my whole life. It taught me that the hope of Christ’s return isn’t meant to frighten us. It’s meant to steady us. To remind us that no matter how dark the night or how fierce the storm, Jesus keeps His promises. And one day, He will gather His people—just as He said.”
Outside, the wind softened. The storm quieted.
One of the children whispered, “Mrs. Harper… do you think Jesus could come back on a night like this?”
Evelyn’s eyes shone.
“Oh yes,” she said. “He could come on a night just like this. And if He does, I want Him to find us loving one another, helping one another, and watching with hope.”
The children helped her clean up before bundling into their coats. When they stepped outside, they gasped.
The snow had stopped.
The world was still.
Lantern light shimmered on the frozen branches. The sky above was clear and bright, as though heaven had opened a window.
Evelyn stood in the doorway, smiling.
“See?” she whispered. “Sometimes the snow remembers.
Susan Barker Nikitenko 2026© MBCOANNABENKBPBRMNMPMGEO.
🕯️ Devotion: Being Ready, Being Right
1. The Lamp That Never Goes Out
Jesus told the story of ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1–13). Five were wise, five were foolish. The wise brought extra oil. The foolish did not. When the bridegroom came, only the ready ones entered in. This parable isn’t just about lamps — it’s about hearts. Are we burning bright with faith, or flickering low with distraction?
2. Give Me Oil — What Does It Mean?
Oil in scripture often represents the Holy Spirit, anointing, and readiness. When we sing “Give me oil in my lamp,” we’re asking God to keep our faith alive, our love burning, and our hope strong. It’s a prayer for endurance — not just to start the race, but to finish it well.
3. Burning Till the Break of Day
The “break of day” is the return of Christ — the Rapture, the glorious moment when the trumpet sounds and the faithful rise to meet Him. Until then, we burn. We shine. We love. We serve. We stay ready.
“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” — Matthew 25:13
4. Being Ready Is Being Right
Readiness isn’t just about knowing the Bible — it’s about living it. Being right with God means repenting, forgiving, loving, and walking in truth. It means checking our hearts daily and asking, “Lord, is my lamp burning?”
5. Children of Light
Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14) Children can shine too. When they sing, pray, share, and love, they carry the flame. Miss Evelin’s story reminds us: even cocoa and cookies can be holy when shared with joy.
6. The Oil of Joy
Isaiah 61:3 speaks of “the oil of joy for mourning.” God’s Spirit brings gladness even in sorrow. When we feel tired or afraid, we ask for fresh oil — not from a bottle, but from heaven.
7. The Rapture Is Real
Paul wrote, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds…” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). This isn’t fantasy — it’s our future. The Rapture is the moment when Jesus gathers His bride. Will we be ready?
8. The Invitation Is Open
Jesus stands at the door and knocks (Revelation 3:20). He doesn’t force His way in. He invites. If you’ve never asked Him into your heart, today is the day. Don’t wait for the midnight cry.
9. A Prayer for the Saved and the Seeking
Dear Jesus, thank You for being the Light of the world. Fill my lamp with Your Spirit. Help me burn with love, truth, and joy. Forgive my sins. Make me ready. I pray for every child to know You, and for every heart to be lit with Your flame. Amen.
10. The Joy of Being Ready
There’s no fear in readiness. Only joy. Only peace. Only the thrill of knowing that when the trumpet sounds, we’ll rise with Him. So sing it loud: “Keep me burning till the break of day!”
Susan Barker Nikitenko 2026© MBCOANNABENKBPBRMNMPMGEO #234321
🧠 20 Trivia Questions + Answer Key
Questions:
- What does oil symbolize in the Bible?
- How many virgins were wise in Matthew 25?
- What does the “break of day” represent in the song?
- Who said, “Ye are the light of the world”?
- What book mentions “the oil of joy”?
- What chapter describes the Rapture?
- What does it mean to be “ready”?
- What did the foolish virgins forget to bring?
- What does the lamp represent?
- Who knocks at the door in Revelation 3:20?
- What is the name of the woman who shares cocoa and cookies in the story?
- What kind of cookies does Miss Evelin share?
- What does Psalm 27:1 say about fear?
- What does the Holy Spirit help us do?
- What does Jesus call His followers in Matthew 5?
- What does the song ask for in the lamp?
- What happens at the sound of the trumpet?
- What does “being right” mean in the devotion?
- What kind of tree is often drawn in the winter scenes?
- What is the final line of the prayer?
Answer Key:
- The Holy Spirit
- Five
- The return of Christ
- Jesus
- Isaiah 61
- 1 Thessalonians 4
- Living in truth and love
- Extra oil
- Our heart or faith
- Jesus
- Miss Evelin
- Gingerbread men
- “Whom shall I fear?”
- Shine, love, serve
- Light of the world
- Oil
- The Rapture
- Being right with God
- Pine tree
- “Make me ready”
Sing - This - Make A Song Poster For Your Class
Lyrics
🐿️ 5 Funny Winter Squirrel Jokes
What did the winter squirrel say when he saw snow?
“Finally! A reason to wear my nutty earmuffs!”Why did the squirrel bring cocoa to the tree?
“Because even bark needs a warm hug!”What’s a squirrel’s favorite hymn?
“Give Me Acorns in My Paws, Keep Me Storing!”Why don’t squirrels get invited to snowball fights?
“They keep hiding the snowballs in their cheeks!”What did the squirrel say to the lantern?
“You light up my burrow, baby!”
Quotes:
“Jesus is coming back, so let’s keep our lights bright.”
“A ready heart is a happy heart.”
“When Jesus comes back, I want Him to find me smiling.”
“Keep your lamp full — keep your love full.”
“Staying close to Jesus keeps your light shining.”
“The trumpet will be loud, but our hearts should be ready.”
“Jesus comes for kids who love Him too.”
“A little light can shine a long, long way.”
“Being ready means being kind, honest, and full of Jesus.”
“When Jesus comes back, we go with Him — forever.”
For younger children:
“Shine for Jesus every day.”
“Jesus is coming soon— stay ready!”
“Full lamps, full hearts.”
“Jesus loves ready kids.”
“Keep shining till He comes back.”
Susan Barker Nikitenko 2026© MBCOANNABENKBPBRMNMPMGEO #234321
SHINING
RIGHT - Original Song - New
Complete
Song — All Verses + Chorus + Tag
VERSE
1 — With Responses
Leader:
I’ve got a lamp, it’s burning bright
Kids: Burning bright!
Leader:
I trimmed the wick, I found the Light
Kids: Found the Light!
Leader:
I’m walking ready, day and night
Kids: Day and night!
Leader:
Jesus is coming soon!
Kids: Soon, soon, soon!
VERSE
2 — With Responses
Leader:
I’ve got my oil, I’ve got my song
Kids: Got my song!
Leader:
I know the wait won’t be too long
Kids: Not too long!
Leader:
I’ll sing with joy, I’ll stand up strong
Kids: Stand up strong!
Leader:
Jesus is coming soon!
Kids: Soon, soon, soon!
SILLY
VERSE 1 — With Responses
(“Not
That Kind of Burning!”)
Leader:
It’s not indigestion — no sir, no way!
Kids: No sir, no way!
Leader:
Not burnt toast smoking on a Saturday
Kids: Pee‑yew! No way!
Leader:
Not marshmallows crispy till you hold your nose…
Kids: Hold your nose!
Leader:
It’s the fire of Jesus and the light He shows!
Kids: Burning bright!
SILLY
VERSE 2 — With Responses
Leader:
Not birthday candles melting in a lumpy heap
Kids: Lumpy heap!
Leader:
Not spicy chili knocking you right off your feet
Kids: Too much heat!
Leader:
Not fireworks popping on the Fourth of July
Kids: Pop‑pop‑pop!
Leader:
It’s the light of Jesus the light of our soul
Kids: Shine Right!
SILLY
VERSE 3 — With Responses
Leader:
Not hot soup steaming till it fogs your glasses up
Kids: Fog ’em up!
Leader:
Not cocoa so warm that it overflows your cup
Kids: Clean it up!
Leader:
Not popcorn popping till it smells up the house.
Kids: Microwave Style
Leader:
It’s the love of Jesus shining in our hearts!
Kids: Shinin’, Right!
🎶
CHORUS — “Shining Right”
Shine
right, shine right, in the darkest night.
Shine right, shine right, in His holy light.
Shine bright, shine bright, in His perfect love.
Shine, shine, shine — till Jesus calls us home.
🎶
CHORUS — Call & Response Version
Leader:
Shine right, shine right, in the darkest night
Kids: Shine right, shine right, in the darkest night!
Leader:
Shine right, shine right, in His holy light
Kids: Shine right, shine right, in His holy light!
Leader:
Shine bright, shine bright, in His perfect love
Kids: Shine bright, shine bright, in His perfect love!
Leader:
Shine, shine, shine — till Jesus calls us home
Kids: Shine, shine — till Jesus calls us home!
🎶
FINAL TAG — “Shining Right”
Leader:
We’re shining right for Jesus!
Kids: Shining right for Jesus!
Leader:
We’re shining right for Jesus!
Kids: Shining right for Jesus!
Leader:
Every day and every night—
Kids: We’re shining right!
Leader:
Till He calls us home!
Kids: Shining right!
Susan
Barker Nikitenko 2026©
MBCOAnnaBen,
PBKBNMRMPMGEOPASTOR # 76543
