Legend Of Babushka

Babushka is the Russian word for grandmother or “old woman.” There is a Christmas legend in which the main character is named Babushka.

One cold winter night in her house safe and warm, came a knock then a voice, “we mean you no harm.” She opened the door and invited in - some travelers on camels, three richly clothed men. They needed a moment to rest and retreat, and maybe a drink and a little to eat. Babushka welcomed them and while serving a small feast, she learned they were looking for a small town to the East. They told of a star that was leading the way to the place where a special baby king lay. The men were so grateful for Babushka’s great kindness, they invited her, “come, you can travel behind us.” Babushka did not want to leave her warm home, and the men journeyed on leaving her all alone. That night she grew sad dreaming of the baby boy. She decided to find him and bring him a toy. She got out of bed and she packed up her things, and set out on foot to find the three kings. She went through each village asking “where did they go?” as she followed the path of the men in the snow. Babushka travelled for weeks till she found, the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem town. But, the three men were gone and also the baby. Babushka went on searching, thinking soon maybe, she could finally deliver a simple child toy to the very special little baby king boy. Babushka still travels according to folklore, in search of the Christ child she longs to adore. In town after town, in each crib she peers, asking mothers and dads, “is he here? Is he here?” And with each child she finds, be they girl or boy, she leaves in their bed a little child’s toy.

The legend of Babushka is an interesting little fabricated story to explain why children get presents at Christmas. How sad to think that someone would travel through life and never know the Savior. How sad, also, to think that Christmas is only about children getting gifts. We do not have to seek for the Christ. He has come. He is here. Let us worship and adore Him. Let us receive Him as Savior and King.