All Creatures, Great and Small

“All are here for a reason.” – The Spider Who Saved Christmas

Canned Christmas music is once again filling malls and stores across America, as shoppers begin their quest for the perfect holiday gifts.  Now with tables cleared of Thanksgiving dinners, it’s time to refocus our attention and prepare our hearts for the coming season.  With good cheer over the happy news of Jesus, Christians around the world unite in the traditions of Christmas and the ancient story of his birth.    

In Eastern Europe, a popular folktale, “The Legend of the Christmas Spider”, is still remembered in many homes.   It is a story of a poor family with little prospects for the coming Christmas season.  That is until a thrifty mother finds a tree and brings it into the house in the hopes of gladdening her children.  But their expectations are further challenged, as they have no money in which to adorn its branches.  By morning, however, a crafty spider had spun a beautiful web to cover the tree to enhance the family’s celebration. 

In Germany, Poland, and Ukraine, spider ornaments are used to remind them of the legendary tale and their thankfulness to God.  In fact, it was Germany who started the tradition of adorning trees with fruits, flowers, and sweets for the holidays.  In America, German settlers in Pennsylvania brought the tradition of the Christmas tree to the US in the 1830s, with tinsel (like spider webs) enhancing the flickering of candles on the tree. 

In Raymond Arroyo’s 2020 children’s book, “The Spider Who Saved Christmas”, Arroyo uses his own twist on the popular legend to tell his story about Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus following his holy birth.  As the family fled Herod’s henchmen on their escape to Egypt, the trio found their safety in a cavern with the assistance of a golden-backed Nephila spider who, at the directions of the baby Jesus, spins an elaborate web of gold silk to seal the entrance.  Recognizing the spider’s purpose, Mary sees how we all have a place in God’s plan.  Appropriate for children aged 4-9, it is an annual reminder of gratitude to begin the holiday season.

The original story of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus is relayed in Matthew 2, where a prophecy declares the new baby Jesus, King of the Jews.  But this proclamation miffed the present King Herod who wanted that title all to himself.  To exact his revenge, he intercepts the Magi who were on their way to worship Jesus, and demands that they return to him with details of where the baby lays.  But an angel would ruin his plan, by instructing the wise men to take a different route home, depriving Herod of Jesus' location.  After their exit, an angel spoke again, this time to command Joseph to flee to Egypt to avoid Herod’s evil plan.  Unable to find Jesus, Herod sends out a decree for all male babies two years and under, to be located and killed.  Jesus, of course, would be spared of any harm. 

As we once again enter a new holiday season, we are reminded that God can work through all creatures, great and small.  Even a small fearsome spider sprang into action at the instructions of the Lord.