Noel, the cartoon, and the book were absolute favorites in our home. If you need help getting a hold of a copy of the DVD or the book, I'm not surprised. It's hard to find.
Years ago, we watched the Cartoon on TV as a Christmas Special, and after seeing it, we had to have the book. All my boys are grown, and we still have the book. We passed many books down to other family members but couldn't part with this book. I've since passed it along to our youngest teenage son and told him to keep it for his future family. Thank goodness he loved the idea.
What is the Story About?
Noel is about a Christmas Ornament that gets passed down through the generations as the owners of a home change.
It starts out with a family in a Victorian home in the Victorian Era who, when Christmas comes, put brand-new Christmas decorations up on the tree. Noel is one of the ornaments adorned with a happy tear from its maker. Noel is joy-filled during the holiday season because he gets to be around a loving family during a magical time he doesn't understand.
Every Christmas, Noel is curious about the Manger's purpose under the tree. Since he is positioned higher up on the tree, he can never see the Manger.
Noel hates the New Year because he's shoved back into his ornament box, put back in the attic, and must wait nearly a year to see the family again.
As the years pass and the family ages, the house changes ownership multiple times. Poor Noel is sad as the families age and leave. Eventually, the home is abandoned and lonely, and the rest of the ornaments are left for decades. Until one day, in current times, a new family purchases the home and fixes it up. They find the decorations in the attic and put them on the tree. Noel is so happy...he calls this his 'happiness'....but something terrible happens; his old ornament age causes him to fall from the tree and break!
When he falls, something unique happens; although his ornament shell is broken, he can still see, and his ornament happiness spirit continues to live. With his spirit free from its ornament trappings, he finally gets a look at the Manger. That's when he learns what Christmas is all about.
I had never heard of little Noel and his story. Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dawn
DeleteI've never heard this story about Noel the ornament. Sounds very special and quite the clever idea for a story.
ReplyDeleteA very clever story Pat, and one that sticks in your mind when you watch it or read it :)
DeleteIt sounds like a wonderful story, book and movie! I can't believe I have never heard of it before. A "must add" to my collection of Christmas books and Christmas videos. Thank you for sharing this book review. I have several children to buy for and I love the idea of giving a book that is sure to entertain, as well as teach.
ReplyDeleteCynthia, I'm hoping they'll play it on TV again as a Christmas Cartoon special but it's been over a decade now since I've seen it on TV - great gift idea for sure :)
DeleteMy favorite Christmas show. My sister made me a ornament to look like Noel, we got a new Christmas tree (brutis) a train (mcives) and a manger. I can not wait for Christmas this year to watch Noel.
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