The Gemstone Glade Christmas Tree shone in the soft winter sunlight, its rainbow baubles like little stars.

Fairy Sodalite Sue flew round the tree, Christmas joy in her bright eyes. She stopped at the blue bauble, its colour close to her own. Sue waved her wand ecstatically, hoping something would happen.

She was not disappointed. The bauble turned in to a huge star shaped portal of blue light. Sue laughed as she flew in to blue bliss.

A blue sky kissed an evergreen forest like a long lost friend. Sue flew among the trees, breathing in the scent of a thousand springtimes. Wooden birdhouses hung from branches. Sue laughed as a bluebird swooped above and then beneath her.

More bluebirds appeared, flying high in the trees and singing in unison. Sue laughed as delight danced in her brain. Then she saw her.

A small lady with light blue skin walked through the forest, a long blue dress bedecked with crystals flowing like a sighing sea around her. A crown of blue crystals topped her head. Her huge sapphire eyes gazed upwards, and focussed on Sue.

“Welcome, fairy! I have never met a crystalline fairy before. From where do you come?”

Sue landed on the lady’s hand, and described Gemstone Glade.

“I am Princess Ariana, I am protector of the birds of this land. You are in Avian World, a sanctuary for our feathered friends. All birds anywhere can come here through a magic portal that will open when needed. But Gemstone Glade sounds so exciting … can you take me there?”

So Sue escorted Princess Ariana to the blue star portal. Ariana was enchanted by Gemstone Glade. Two white doves flew above, and dropped a feather in to her hands. Bluebirds entered through the portal and played in the fountain, and then perched next to the golden angel at the top of the Christmas Tree.

The angel came to life, climbed on to one of the birds and as one they flew around the glade, then through the blue star portal to Avian World. The angel did not return; Sodalite Sue imagined her setting up home in a birdhouse palace deep in the forest.

Princess Ariana joined the fairies as they hosted a magical fairy picnic. A day for camaraderie and celebration, the fairies were keen to learn about the birds of Avian World. More birds from the Gemstone Glade forest joined them, an eagle, a phoenix and an owl among them. Ariana told them they were welcome in her world anytime.

Then it started to snow. Birds, fairies and princess alike caught snowflakes in their hands or beaks, and enjoyed bounteous blessings. For snow here heals your heart and massages your mind, a tonic for the weary.

Princess Ariana sang for the assembled audience, with the voice of a songbird. Birds perched on her shoulder, joining in. A chorus of Christmas charm warmed the winter air.

May music bless your own Christmas, and enchanted stories stoke your soul. And may songbirds light your way. Merry Christmas everyone.