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Notes About The Poem

Christmas spider glass ornament from Germany-image from pinterest.com

I grew up in a family of German descendants who told and retold the Christmas Spider Story—one that enthralled me as a child. Now I appreciate the story’s deeper meaning, and I share it with you via this poem. On another note, our family Christmas tree was decorated with a few delicate glass spider ornaments, family heirlooms, that my great grandfather brought to this country after he immigrated from German.

“According to German folklore: On a silent, frosty Christmas Eve while a family slept, a spider creeps into the room where the undecorated tree stands. The spider, with its glistening web, starts spinning a delicate and intricate web around the tree. By morning, the once plain tree is transformed into a spectacle of shimmering beauty, with the spider’s web turning into silver and gold in the morning light. This German Christmas Spider story symbolizes hope, magic, and miracles. (Source: https://www.fabledcollective.com/christmas-spider/)

THE WEB OF WONDER

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Christmas Eve, the air is crisp and still.
the house is wrapped in darkness and damp cold.  
the tree stands bare. 
no tinsel gleams, 
no ornaments glisten~
just a skeleton of expectation.  

A spider descends~
its eight legs tapping a silent beat
across the chilly, wooden floor.
it glides its way up the tree.
with silken thread and delicate grace, 
this tiny architect 
weaves a silver web of wonder
across bare evergreen branches 

thread by thread,
a delicate geometry unfolds~
one spun from moonlight and instinct.
no plan, only the patient unfolding
of silk and silver hope.

morning arrives.
the sun brushes gold across
frosty windowpanes
striking the spider’s web
and igniting it.
no longer bare, the tree shimmers~
a spectacle of interwoven
silver and gold light.

This is how Christmas magic works~  
not with fanfare, but in the quiet,  
turning absence into lace,  
turning want into wonder.

12th gradechristmasdecembermagicfree verse

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Line Gauthier

December 15, 2025 at 7:13 PM

Thanks for sharing this wonderful folklore with us, Sara ~ a delightful poem

sara Etgen-Baker

December 16, 2025 at 5:37 PM

glad you liked this poem....appreciate your visiting and reading it.

Sara Kendrick

December 11, 2025 at 4:03 AM

I like that story. Quite inviting. Amazing how many stories can come out of a single yearly event. I love to tell the story of Jesus still and I don't tell it enough. Thank you for sharing this lovely story with us. Sara K

sara Etgen-Baker

December 11, 2025 at 6:06 PM

thank you, Sara K, for your visit and for your comments. Glad you liked the story. Writing about the Christmas spider warms my heart. Merry Christmas, Sara B

Charles Messina

December 11, 2025 at 3:57 AM

A lovely story/write, Sara. A Christmas tree blanketed with silk would be a stunning sight!

sara Etgen-Baker

December 11, 2025 at 6:06 PM

thank you, Mr. Charles. I appreciate your visit and supportive words.

Sotto Poet

December 11, 2025 at 3:55 AM

What a beautiful poem/story, Sara. It would be an awesome sight to witness an Advent tree adorned with spiderwebs. This poetry is both motivating and enjoyable.

sara Etgen-Baker

December 11, 2025 at 6:07 PM

grateful, kind Sotto, for your visit and supportive comments. Grateful for you and your visits, TExas hugs, Sara

Beryl Edmonds

December 11, 2025 at 2:34 AM

A wonderful story/poem Sara. To see a Christmas tree adorned in spider webs would be an amazing sight for sure… Beryl

sara Etgen-Baker

December 11, 2025 at 6:08 PM

I agree, Beryl...would be amazing. Thanks for dropping by, hugs, Sara

Arthur Vaso

December 10, 2025 at 11:34 PM

That's a beautiful story indeed.

sara Etgen-Baker

December 11, 2025 at 6:08 PM

many thanks, Arthur.

Gershon Wolf

December 10, 2025 at 8:19 PM

Just amazing, Sara. I must be 'one of the children' that Valsa refers to below, for I am entranced! T.Y., gw

sara Etgen-Baker

December 11, 2025 at 6:09 PM

awww, your comments touched my poetic heart. Thank you for your words and support.

Valsa George

December 10, 2025 at 6:31 PM

A lovely story worth telling to children and the future generation as a folklore. I enjoyed reading your notes on your German descendancy and the spider story, how a spider transformed one bare Christmas tree into an artistic marvel. Lovely narration, Sara

sara Etgen-Baker

December 11, 2025 at 6:10 PM

I appreciate your visit, Valsa, and your comments...yes, this would be a great story to tell children. I knew about the Christmas spider as a child; my grandfather told me the story. I was so enthralled. hugs, Sara

THE WEB OF WONDER

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