A Heart Warmed on Hearth's Warming Eve

by EagleWings21

Rating: everyone
Tags: Twilight Sparkle, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Human, Random, Princess Celestia
Length: 1601

Twilight learns a new lesson

Twilight is known for her unquenchable love for learning. However, tonight offered a lesson she will never forget.

Published 2015-12-26 06:30:03 UTC
Last updated 2015-12-26 06:30:03 UTC

In The Stars

In The Stars

Twilight gazed up at the stars. It was a clear night with the stars shining particularly bright that night. It was not just another casual evening, it was Hearth's Warming Eve for the Ponyville inhabitants. Rainbow Dash was at her parents' in Cloudsdale, Pinkie was with Applejack and her family, Fluttershy was in her little cabin all snuggled up with her furry friends, and Rarity was with Sweetie Belle in Manehattan. So, Twilight made a trip to Canterlot for some royal business. Spike was out getting a late night donut, while Twilight tasked herself with tracking the movements of comets around the atmosphere as apart of her advanced astronomy studies.

Celestia roamed the halls of her castle, when she noticed her former student on the balcony, studying the sky with incredible focus. She chuckled to herself, noticing how even after becoming a princess, old habits died hard for Twilight. She casually walked over to the young alicorn, and whispered gently as to not startle her, "Princess, I do believe you've studied about every one of those stars. Isn't it getting late for you?"

Twilight jumped a little, but smiled when she looked back and saw it was Celestia. "No, princess. It's never too late to learn something new. Besides, I've got nothing special planned tomorrow, so I figured I'd try and catch up with some studies I had abandoned a while back. The last time I really did any sky studying, I found Owlicious. So, I did some digging and found my old notes; something about comets. I wanted to pick up where I left off."

Celestia smiled warmly at the Princess of Friendship. She sat on her haunches next to Twilight, and asked, "I bet soon enough you'll know enough about space to give lectures at the most prestigious universities around. However, would you mind if I taught you a little something that perhaps you won't read in most books around here?"

Twilight's interest was peaked, and smiled ear to ear. "Well, sure! I mean, it's been so long since you actually got to teach me something! What's the lesson?"

"It's not so much a lesson, as it is a miracle."

Twilight scoffed, " With all due respect, princess, miracles are impossible. They're only a fiction, made up to make sense out of a situation when unforeseen circumstances turn out to work in someone's favor."

Celestia smirked a little, impressed on her protege's intellectual ability. However, she still had some tricks up her sleeve. "Oh? Is that so? Well, what if I told you that I can show you a miracle happening, right now?"

Twilight suddenly felt trapped, but took the bait. "Um, sure? I mean, I don't understand, but...sure?"

Celestia bowed her head, and closed her eyes. Her horn glowed a bright white light, and in a flash, they were gone.

They reappeared in a desert, with nothing around but a sheep farm. They were hovering in the air, and Celestia quickly cast an invisibility spell on both of them, as to avoid detection.

Twilight was confused, "We're in Saddle Arabia?"

Celestia chuckled briefly before continuing, "No, Twilight. We're on a planet called "Earth". This is where the miracle is to take place."

Twilight was about to open her mouth, but was interrupted when she saw a crack in the sky. The heavens opened up, and a bright light sped past them, flying down at speeds that Rainbow Dash could never even dream of matching. Celestia pulled Twilight along with her magic, barely able to keep up with the heavenly being. They stopped when they reached a group of three shepherds in the desert, tending some sheep. The light stopped, and took the form of what appeared to be a human, but wasn't exactly a human. He had bright wings, and each feather looked as if it was hand crafted by pure light. He had brown hair, and eyes that looked to be ablaze with fire. The robe he wore was whiter than the snow Twilight had just played in earlier that day, and his skin was bronze like the desert sand. He wore sandals on his feet, and had a golden sash clad across his chest, with what looked to be a strange language written across it. He had a sword in a sheath on his hip, and was glowing a radiance that temporarily blinded everyone in proximity.

Twilight was a bit startled, to say the least.

She took refuge behind Celestia, much like how the shepherds down below hid behind one another. However, all was hushed when the being of light spoke, "Do not be afraid. I am an angel of the Lord. I have come to bring good news - on this day, the Son of God is born in the town of Bethlehem. The sign given is this: you will find a baby, wrapped in cloth lying in a manger. Go, and see the Savior God has given for humankind!"

Twilight was flabbergasted, and confused. She had never heard of this person called "God". The angel's words echoed like thunder clashing in the sky, and the shepherds listened intensely to every word that came from his mouth. As soon as he finished speaking, the sky lit up once more, this time with what seemed like thousands upon thousands of fellow angels, all singing and praising this One called God. And, as quickly as it happened, it was done. The angel had given a mighty flap of his wings, and flew up into the sky, out of sight.

Celestia motioned to Twilight, who was trembling. "Let's go and see, shall we?" Twilight could only nod her head as they went on to this tiny little town.

Once there, they quickly flew to where the stables were - a relatively easy sight for them to see, as they were near the edge of the town. As they settled down, they saw the shepherds quickly follow suit. They walked right past them and to a young couple. The woman had to be no more than what looked to be in her late teens, and the man who must have been her husband seeming not much older than her. And, true to the angel's words, there was a small baby human child lying in the manger in front of the couple, wrapped in what looked to be lowly rags.

One of the shepherds spoke up, "Miss, is it true? Is he the Messiah, the Savior of all humanity?"

Another spoke up, "Is He really the Son of the Living God?"

The woman looked up at those around her, unknowingly to both Twilight and Celestia, tears of joy running down her rosy cheeks, "Yes. His name is Jesus."

Twilight felt a lump forming in her throat, feeling the amount of love and warmth radiating in the room. She looked around and saw everyone, even Celestia herself bow down as low as they could to the ground; she even did as well. Then, in a flash, they were gone.

When Twilight opened her eyes, she and Celestia were both back on the balcony of the castle once more, while the stars still shone brightly. Twilight looked up at the princess and asked in what sounded like a whisper, "What in the world was all that?"

Celestia answered, "That, Twilight, is a miracle; a miracle made from love. This God you heard of? He is the One who made all that you see. He is the ultimate One in charge, and has appointed a Savior for the race of humanity. He loves them very much, you know."

Twilight asked, "Save them from what?"

Celestia smiled a sad smile, "Themselves."

Just then, Celestia motioned Twilight to look up at the sky, and they both saw a bright star shining - brighter than any other. "That, my faithful student, is the North Star. It shines to lead all to God; leading any who seek Him to their true home."

Twilight was simply speechless as she heard her teacher talk in such high regards of this "God" person. "Celestia, I don't mean any disrespect, but you speak very highly of this "God", but you have never mentioned Him before. I mean, what gives?"

Celestia smiled warmly at Twilight, "I will tell you all about Him tomorrow. After all, how do you think I was ever able to teach you? "

Twilight went wide-eyed, "You...studied under Him??"

Celestia couldn't help but laugh at that, "Well, you could certainly say that. I even need some lessons from time to time. Now come, let's get you to bed."

Twilight walked inside with Celestia, nuzzled up against her teacher. "I don't know; after all of that, I think it'll be a miracle if I can even get to sleep."

Author's Note

I wrote this for Christmas. I did write another story about Jesus, yes. However, I enjoy doing this. The way I see it, is I am telling what I feel the true meaning of Christmas is, while still enjoying being apart of this fantastic, amazing fandom. I realize not everyone is a Christian, and I understand that. I'm really not sure how this is going to go over; however, I do hope you'll all enjoy this little story as my way of tipping my hat to Jesus Christ. I did this for Him, as a small way of saying thanks for what He's done for all of us. May you all have a very, very Merry Christmas, and a happy and safe New Year. May God bless you all. :twilightsmile: