Bedtime Stories

Our nightly bedtime routine usually includes at least one bed time story. We were running short on time last night so I quickly grabbed a book about Joseph and his colourful coat. I figured it was a Bible story so I could also get a quick moral lesson in as well. I was familiar with the story but had no idea how it would affect Jameson.

The story explains how Joseph was favoured by his father Jacob who gave his son a colourful coat. Joseph's 11 brothers were jealous and decided to turn against their brother. They took Joseph's coat, threw him in a pit and eventually sold him into slavery. (Yeah I know, not the most kid friendly material but heck, what nursery rhyme really is? One version of the 3 Little Pigs has the wolf eating the first two pigs. What about Hansel and Gretel? Little Red Riding Hood? Kind of scary stuff.) Joseph ended up in Egypt as an advisor to Pharaoh and (long story short) became well respected. His brothers ended up coming to Egypt during a time of famine (something Joseph warned the Pharaoh about thereby prompting him to store grain in preparation for the famine) to get some food. Joseph recognized his brothers and called out to them in love, instantly forgiving them.

We talked about jealousy and forgiveness. I could see that Jameson looked a bit concerned but figured he would get over it. Well, not so much. He ended up having nightmares, worrying that the brothers would come into his bed and throw him into a pit. I haven't heard Jameson cry in his sleep like that, ever. James ended up crawling in bed with him until he calmed down. Poor angel. (I often call the boys angels, rather endearing. Jameson looked at me the other day and said, "Uh, Stellan's not an angel. Angels appeared to the shepherds to tell them that baby Jesus was born.")

After the story Jameson looked at me and said, "I don't want the brothers to get me". Uh oh, this really scarred him. We explained that the brothers can't get him and mommy and daddy will protect him. We prayed about it too, hoping that all of this would alleviate his fears. We'll see at 3 this morning whether or not he starts crying again.

Tonight I chose to read "Peter Rabbit" to the kids before bed. Now I'm worried that Jameson is going to be scared of farmers.