“Jimmy!” Caroline called out.

“Over by the seagrass, Caroline!” He called back.

Caroline swam over to join him. “What is that bright light in the sky? I’ve never seen anything like it.” She couldn’t stop looking at it.

“That’s what the humans call the Christmas Star. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Jimmy was staring at it, too.

“Yes,” Caroline agreed. “What’s Christmas?”

“You and your questions, Caroline.” Jimmy was chuckling.

“Well?” she asked impatiently.

“Ok. Ok.” He said. “Some humans believe in God, and every December 25, they celebrate the birth of his son, Jesus Christ, on Earth. The celebration is called Christmas. Supposedly, that star led people to where he was born so they could worship him.”

Caroline was staring at Jimmy with a confused look on her face. “Who is God?”

“I’ll do my best to explain. Some of this doesn’t make sense to me, but humans believe that God created everything.” He answered.

“Everything?” asked Caroline in disbelief.

“Yes. They say he is all-powerful, all-knowing, and loves everyone.”

“Do you believe this, Jimmy?” Caroline and Jimmy locked eyes while he considered his answer.

“Well,” Jimmy started, “animals like us believe in Mother Nature, but if you listen to the humans’ stories, Mother Nature could be another name for God.”

“And all humans believe this?” Caroline sounded confused.

“Sort of,” Jimmy said quickly. “Humans have many versions of this story because they have many different religions.”

“Religion,” Caroline repeated slowly.

“Yes. Religion is the belief and worship of a superhuman power or God. Religions have names like Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Shinto, Rastafarian, and hundreds more. I don’t know them all.” He said.

“And they all believe in God and celebrate Christmas?” Caroline asked.

“Sort of and no.” Jimmy paused to answer correctly. “Every religion has a different name for their God and different celebrations at different times. Two that happen around Christmas time are Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah, and some humans of African descent celebrate Kwanzaa. To complicate this, humans can be Christian and celebrate Kwanzaa as well. It seems to me that anyone can be part of any religion or celebration if they believe in it. Religion is very personal to humans and reflects their culture and or what they’ve learned in life.” Jimmy hoped Caroline understood.

“That makes perfect sense,” Caroline said excitedly.

“What? It does?” Jimmy stammered.

“Yes.” She said, smiling. “All creatures are different, so all religions are different. How could it be any other way?”

Jimmy thought for a moment. “You are right as always, Caroline.”

“Now we need to learn about the other religion’s celebrations and help them celebrate too.” She said. “What is something all humans do during these celebrations?”

Jimmy thought for a moment, then said, “They pray.”

“How?” Caroline kept on.

“They gather in groups or pray individually. But you can pray anywhere with anyone.”

“What is a prayer exactly?” Caroline wanted all the details.

“It’s kind of like a wish, I believe. You can think it or say it out loud.” Jimmy was close to being out of answers.

“Let’s try,” Caroline suggested.

“Sure,” Jimmy agreed. “We could use some prayers right now. You say it, Caroline.”

Caroline took a minute to think about everything Jimmy had told her. She looked up at the star and began. “Hello, God of humans. Jimmy and I would like to wish you…” she stopped and looked at Jimmy. “Do you say happy Christmas?” she whispered.

“Some say happy, but I hear Merry Christmas around Key West,” Jimmy whispered back.

“Ok,” she resumed. “We want to wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and Happy Kwanzaa. I hear you have different names in different religions, but we know you are everywhere and created all of us. Thank you for that. Please keep your creatures safe, healthy, and happy today and every day…” Caroline looked at Jimmy again. “How do you end a prayer?”

Jimmy looked startled. “I don’t know,” he said honestly.

“Well,” said Caroline, “a thank you never hurt.” She continued, “Thank you, God. We love you.”

“That was beautiful, Caroline. A perfect prayer for every religion.”

“Thanks, Jimmy. Thank you for teaching me about religion and having faith in me to say the prayer.” Caroline looked very humble.

“Faith is what it’s all about. As long as we have faith, our prayers will be heard. It doesn’t matter who you pray to, how, or when.” Jimmy looked back at the star. They sat in silence for hours, enjoying the bright light.

Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Holidays to all! From Caroline, The Painted Turtle, and friends.

Jeanne Rietzke December 1, 2023