The First Christmas: The Story of the First Christmas Snow

A young shepherd named Lucas is struck blind by a bolt of lightning. Fortunately, a group of compassionate nuns from a nearby abbey find him and take him in. One of the nuns, Sister Catherine, takes special care of Lucas and tries to help him understand the world he can no longer see. During one of their conversations, she describes snow to him, a concept Lucas has never experienced or imagined. She paints a vivid picture with her words, allowing him to feel the magic of something he can only imagine.

As Christmas approaches, the abbey prepares for its annual pageant. The nuns decide to cast Lucas as one of the angels in the performance, and although he can no longer see the beauty of the Christmas decorations or the faces of those around him, he feels the warmth and love of the community. His role is small, but the moment is significant for him. On the night of the pageant, something truly remarkable happens. As the story unfolds and the choir sings, snow begins to fall outside, gently blanketing the abbey. The first snow Lucas has ever known.

The snow's arrival during the pageant feels like a miracle, especially to Lucas, who is overwhelmed by the sensation of cold flakes landing on his skin for the first time. He can’t see it, but he can feel the beauty, and it stirs something deep within him. In that moment, Lucas experiences a quiet transformation. The snow, the love of the nuns, and the sense of belonging in the abbey work together to bring a sense of peace and joy to his heart.

Through this experience, Lucas learns that even without sight, he can experience the world in new and profound ways. The miracle of the snow and the kindness of the nuns teach him that love and faith can bring light even in the darkest of times. The Christmas pageant, meant to celebrate the birth of Christ, becomes a symbol of hope and renewal for Lucas, as he finds a new way to see the world, not through his eyes, but with his heart.

Director: Arthur Rankin, Jr., Jules Bass

Genre: Animation

Cast: Angela Lansbury, Cyril Ritchard, David Kelley, Dina Lynn, Don Messick, Dru Stevens, Greg Thomas, Hilary Momberger-Powers, Iris Rainer, Joan Gardner, Sean Manning