It is before daylight Christmas morning, 1880. Emma and her mother are awaken by a knock at the door. They have to hurry because Mrs. Van Der Meer is about to give birth and mama is the only nurse around...for miles.
They hitch up Old Dan, their horse, to the wagon and get to gettin'. Mama finds Mrs. Van Der Meer in agony; so is Emma. After all, Christmas wasn't supposed to be like this. The Van Der Meer's children are afraid and look to Emma for comfort. They stroke Old Dan's mane and pull out silver hairs that they use to decorate the naked Christmas tree. Others from nearby bring gifts- a lamb for wool and a goat for milk. Everyone stays until the baby is born. When he comes, everyone dances and cheers and laughs. Emma tells mama that she will always remember this Christmas. After all, it wasn't supposed to be like this. ( )

This is a very clever Christmas story that will especially be enjoyed by little girls and their mothers. In a Prairie setting, a girl travels with her midwife mother early Christmas morning to deliver a baby. Several subtle parallels are made to the birth of Jesus. ( )

At first I thought this was just another Christmas story. But, by the time I got to the end, I was pleasently surprised. The family portrayed drew me in. Nice illustrations in warm tones compliment the story. ( )