December 2006 Submissions

His Name is Jesus

Sarah leaned back on her elbows and stared up at the nighttime sky. The stars were so bright and so close she felt as if she could reach out and touch them. She longed to study the heavens. She wanted to learn about the stars, the moon, and the orbs that drifted through the skies. Actually she wanted to study anything and everything. She wanted a life beyond cleaning house and cooking and caring for babies. But she was a girl. Girls weren’t supposed to be interested in anything else. Her friend Ezekiel was studying at the temple school and he was teaching her to read. Ezekiel was betrothed to her cousin Miriam and he decided that his wife should be able to read. Miriam had refused to learn unless Sarah could learn also. She loved learning – if only she could attend the temple school also – but that was only for boys.

Of course – tending the flocks on the hillside outside of town was only for boys also, but since she had no brother who had lived, father needed someone to help him fend off the wild animals that would kill their flocks. Sarah didn’t much like being a shepherd either, but it was better than being cooped up in the small hut with her 5 sisters and their mother as they cooked and wove and tended to all the duties that comprised running a household.

She knew she had to learn those duties sometime, but for now, tending the sheep with her father and the other village men was better. She truly wished there was something more for her in this life than eventually marrying one of the village boys and keeping his house and having his children. She had nothing against having children, she just wanted something more - she wanted to see something beyond the village. She had never even been to Jerusalem and that was only a Sabbath day’s journey from her home. Her dream was to marry a merchant or a sailor or a soldier and go far away from this tiny village in the middle of nowhere. The village where everyone knew everything and there were never any secrets.

It was so exciting right now as there were so many people in the village because of the Roman tax. The inns were all sold out and people had even pounded on their door offering huge amounts of gold in exchange for a corner to sleep in. This was part of the reason she was out here. Her corner of the sleeping room was being used by some merchant and his wife for the next week or more.

She sighed, knowing the excitement wouldn’t last. She also knew that if she was caught questioning the strangers about where they lived and what they did, father would be very angry. So she watched and studied and learned what she could.

The sounds from the sheep drew her attention. They seemed agitated for some reason. She stood with her crook in her hand, climbed up on the rocks and searched for the cause of the commotion. Her night vision was excellent and the moon was full, but she could see nothing that would cause the sheep, normally so placid, to be so restless. Then as quickly as it began, the ripple of restlessness in the flock dissipated and they all settled into quietness again.

Sarah listened to the comforting sound of her father’s voice drifting up the hillside. He sat at the fire with the older shepherds and she knew he was telling one of his stories. Laughter erupted and she had to smile. Her father was a gifted storyteller. He could make you see the scene and the people through his words. He could make you feel the emotions, he could make you laugh, he could make you cry or he could make you angry with ease.

She glanced up at the sky again to resume her contemplation of the stars, and frowned. She could have sworn that big star hadn’t been there a few minutes ago. As she watched, it grew larger and moved closer. Her sharp cry of surprise and fear drew the attention of her father and the other men. They rushed to her side and gazed in awe at the falling star.

Her heart beat faster as the star began to take shape, the shape of a man. But this man glowed and shimmered with light and his robes were so white they hurt her eyes. She looked up and thought he was looking directly at her and he smiled.

“Be not afraid.”

How had he known how terrified she was? Who was he? What did he want with her?

“For Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.”

Why in the world would anyone bring her a message, and why would they send someone like this man, this man who was certainly someone very special.

“Which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David , a Savior who is Christ the Lord.”

The Messiah has come!! Sarah’s mind froze at the enormity of the announcement. But he said the Messiah was born as a babe. How can this be?

“And this shall be a sign to you. You will find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

Before she had time to think or absorb his words, the sky filled with more beings just like him, layer upon layer, tier upon tier, too many of them to count, too many of them to see. They all sang the same song of praise.

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Then, as quickly as they had come, they faded from sight, leaving only their praises to God ringing in the ears of the awe struck shepherds. The men turned to one another and finally Micah asked, “What are we to do?”

Sarah’s father answered after some thought. “We must go to Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass, which God has made known to us.”

The others nodded and prepared for the walk into the village.

Father turned to Sarah and said. “You stay here with the sheep.”

“But Father, I must see him.”

“No daughter, this is men’s business. Besides, someone must stay with the sheep. We will return as soon as we can and tell you what you need to know.”

“Yes Father.” She replied obediently, but inside her heart seethed. Jeremiah was getting to go and he was three years younger than she was. He certainly didn’t qualify as a man. But she knew better than to argue.

She sat down on a rock and watched the men and their torches disappear around the hillock, leaving her in darkness. Despite her best efforts, a tear slid down her cheek. Why was life so unfair?

‘Why are you crying, child?”

Sarah nearly jumped out of her skin. She turned and came face to face with the man who had brought the message of the Messiah. “My father would not let me go to find the Promised One. I’m to stay here and guard the flocks.”

“We must all be obedient to our Father, Sarah.”

She was startled. How had he known her name? He smiled as though he could read her thoughts, and it was as if the sun had risen in the east.

“Father God has told me many things about you Sarah. You are special to his heart and he has given you many dreams and special yearnings. You must go to Bethlehem and seek the child.”

“But someone has to guard the sheep.”

“I’ll keep watch, Sarah. No harm will come to them in your absence. You must do the will of your Heavenly Father.”

“Thank you,” she breathed and began to run toward Bethlehem .

As she ran down the hillside, she tried to plan her search. A manger meant a stable. But even in a little village there were a lot of stables. She figured she could eliminate the private ones; she just couldn’t see Abram, the village elder, allowing travelers to stay with his cattle. That left the inn keepers. Daniel, Josephus, Abner and John were all nice men, but they would have wanted a lot of money for stabling animals – and to let a young woman have her baby there would have been bad for business.

Samuel, the innkeeper out on the South road - Samuel was kind and would sympathize with the young family. She knew Samuel would lend them his stable. She ran on, straight for Samuel’s inn and the neat little stable behind.

The inn was overflowing with noisy travelers demanding entrance. Light spilling from the doorway revealed Samuel trying to turn them away. “The inn is full; there is not a corner to spar,” his voice hoarse from yelling over the clamoring mob.

She rounded the corner of the building and the raucous voices died to a low murmur as the stable yard walls and the palm grove closed in around her. Ahead she saw a soft glow through the open doors leading to the stable. She crept forward slowly and felt peace and tranquility reach out and envelope her heart and her spirit. She knew she was in the right place.

Light glowed all around her, just like it had been back on the hillside. By that heavenly light Sarah saw a young family surrounded by animals – a donkey, Samuel’s cows, a stray dog or two and a few of Samuel’s lambs. Her eyes met those of the young mother and she realized with shock that she was barely older than Sarah herself. Her husband was a bit older than Ezekiel. But then she forgot about them as the mother smiled and motioned her to the manger.

There was the Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger filled with straw. Sarah watched as the babe opened his beautiful dark eyes and looked at her. Sarah couldn’t look away. His eyes spoke to her soul and she knew, knew deep in her heart, just who he was. She knew just what he would do for his people.

With Ezekiel’s help she had read in the book of Isaiah:

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this.”

She knew he was the one. She also knew what she had to do. She knelt by the manger, and at a nod from his mother, she held his tiny hand. “I have no gift to bring to my Messiah King, except the gift of myself, my life, me. From this day forward, my life is yours. I will tell everyone I meet that the Messiah has come. No one and nothing will silence me. I will follow you all the days of my life. I will live to turn the hearts of your people to their Messiah.”

Sarah turned to his mother. “What will you name him?”

The father answered in her stead. “His name is Jesus.”

KayDee Ward

~ The Boy who Saved Christmas ~

Boyd couldn’t believe his eyes. In front of him the morning paper was spread open at the classifieds as he had been scouring advertisements looking for a bike in the hope that his parents would buy him one for Christmas. But instead of the usual tripe people were flogging off as “near new”, what he saw made him gasp in disbelief.

An entire page was devoted to the urgent replacement of Santa Claus in time for the Christmas rush as jolly old Saint Nick was retiring after his near-death experience over the Middle East last Christmas. It seems someone forgot to tell them about it being “peace on earth” and all that, and an air raid nearly got Santa killed. So apparently this year as the season approached Santa had decided enough was enough and he wasn’t putting himself or the lives of Dasher, Dancer, Rudolph etc at risk anymore. He’s called it quits.

Now an ad appears in the local paper in the hope that someone with the right qualities and skills necessary for such a task would therefore apply.

Boyd shook his head and thought to himself, “But no one can replace Santa.” He knew how much everyone relied on Santa each year, and could only imagine how shattered they would be to discover he was hanging up his boots, never to slide down their chimneys again. This would change the world as they knew it and right then Boyd knew he had to do something that would save them, and Christmas! The question was what? He was miles away from the North Pole and couldn’t possibly hope to make it up there and back without anyone noticing, least of all convince Santa to stay. Besides, how could a little boy in an unknown town, a tiny speck in the grand scheme of things, be enough to save Christmas?

Boyd heard his father’s footsteps then felt a blast of cold air as the front door opened. He knew any minute now his father would usher him into the living room to survey the enormous tree he had just brought home. Taking this as his cue Boyd hurriedly tore the page from the paper and stuffed it into his jeans pocket before scurrying in to join the family for decorating the tree.

But when he entered the living room, there was no big bushy tree to trim, nor was there any sign of his father. What he did see, however, made his eyes widen for the second time that afternoon in disbelief. There in the middle of the room was a brand new shining bike, trimmed with a bright red bow and a card tied to the handlebars. Boyd was beside himself with excitement and a little confusion as to how it had come to be there.

Running his hands over the gleaming paintwork, Boyd admired its beauty and taking in the fact it had everything he could want – gears, chrome wheels, built tough for mountaineering and it was painted red with flames on the sides. This was perfect, but Boyd knew his parent’s couldn’t afford something like this, which is why he had been scanning the “pre-loved” section of the classifieds.

“Mum? Dad?” he called out in the emptiness of the house. But he received no reply. Maybe they’re hiding in a cupboard or something and watching my reaction, he thought with a smile.

Noticing the card tied with the red ribbon to the bars, Boyd opened the envelope and read the message inside.

“Dear Boyd,
Despite my recent decision to retire I couldn’t let the fact that you have been an exceptional young man this year, despite your circumstances, slip by without reward. I know how much you have wanted a bike, how you scan the classifieds for one and how your parents cannot afford one. So my child, I am giving you my final gift, for no one else deserves it more. Stay safe, be wise and use it well.
Merry Christmas
Santa Claus”

Could this day get any stranger, Boyd began to wonder. A note from Santa? It wasn’t possible. He looked at the card again and there it was plain as day – signed Santa Claus. But it didn’t make any sense. There was still one more week till Christmas, and why deliver to him and no one else?

With a glance around to make sure he was alone, Boyd reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out the crumpled page from the newspaper. He read the advertisement again then looked back at his new bike. Boyd knew he was supposed to see something here but for the life of him he couldn’t quite delve into those depths to visualize it. This whole scenario puzzled him but…as his granddad used to say “Never look a gift horse in the mouth, boy!” He never quite knew what he meant by that but he figured it was something to do with “gifts” rather than giving.

Without further thought, Boyd wheeled his gleaming new bike outside and knowing the neighbourhood kids were watching, he jumped on and began pedalling down his drive. Suddenly he felt free. The difficulties that had plagued his family in the last year since his dad lost his job seemed to leap from his mind as he sped down the street smiling and waving at puzzled passers-by. Then something strange happened – as if it hadn’t already been strange enough. As he pedalled his feet began to feel lighter, as if he were pedalling air. Then when he looked down he saw that he was! Like in the movie “ET” his bike began a gradual ascent into the skies, leaving the world below him behind. He could see his house as he whizzed above rooftops whilst people below could only gaze in awe as he passed over their heads.

By now Boyd was starting to feel a little freaked out. This was becoming a little too strange and even somewhat spooky. Real people didn’t fly, especially not on mountain bikes! But Boyd didn’t know how to stop it. Although he ceased pedalling the bike continued its journey as if it knew where it was headed. He began to wonder if this was just a dream from which he would soon wake, and he willed himself to do so. He even pinched himself, but when he squealed in pain he realized that he wasn’t dreaming. This was really happening. So all Boyd could do was sit there and watch the world pass by – literally – as the bike took him over rugged terrain and snowy forests and further into the deep dark unknown. Soon all he could see was snow and he found himself wondering as he reflected on the newspaper ad he’d seen that afternoon. Then the miraculous appearance of this bike…it couldn’t be…could it?

The sky had been growing dim but up ahead now Boyd saw this great brilliant light that seemed to illuminate the entire horizon. It was like a city of lights but as he got closer Boyd saw that it was just a little snow-covered village, yet there appeared to be a lot of activity there. Suddenly the bike began its descent and he had time to take in his surroundings before it came to stop outside a quaint little cottage. Boyd sat there a while and listened. He could hear music, voices and laughter. Maybe there is a party, he thought. Still it must be getting late and he should start making tracks back home. But when he looked at his watch he saw that it had stopped. Frozen in time from the moment he first climbed onto the bike. This was just getting a little too weird, he was thinking now, and turned his bike back in the direction he had come yet unsure of how or where he was going from here.

Suddenly a pool of light crossed the path behind him and a large shadow stepped into it. Boyd closed his eyes tight with growing panic and prepared for the worst when all he heard next was a deep chuckle.

“Ho ho, child!” boomed the voice. “I’m so glad you made it, Boyd. I see you got my message.”

No. It couldn’t be. Slowly Boyd turned around to see the jolly face children across the world over only dreamed of. And now Boyd stood face to face with the man himself – Santa Claus.

“Santa?” he managed to whisper.

“Why certainly! Who did you expect me to be?” the face beamed. Then growing serious he reached for Boyd’s hand, “Come now, we have work to do.”

“Work?” Boyd queried.

“Come now, Boyd, you saw my message,” Santa smiled kindly. “I placed it in plain view where I knew you would see it – in the classifieds. Then I had the elves deliver your little “gift”, which I can see you received.”

“I’m retiring, child, and I want you to take my place this year!” Santa’s face glowed as his smiled at Boyd.

“But I’m just a child, Santa,” Boyd reiterated. “I couldn’t possibly fill your shoes!”

“I don’t expect you to, child. It’s just for this year,” Santa spoke sadly. “After that, there won’t be a Santa Claus anymore.”

“What? No Santa?” Boyd exclaimed. “But you can’t do that! Everyone is relying on you!”

“That’s why I need your help this year. Everything is in place and the plans are already set. I didn’t want to let them down this year, but after this…?” his voice trailed off.

“Why, Santa? Why do this to us?” Boyd cried. “Because some Iraqis nearly blew you and your reindeer up last Christmas? I thought you were beyond that!”

“So did I, child, so did I,” Santa replied sadly. “But it was only a small part of my decision. You see, no one seems to want the peace or the goodwill or the cheer anymore. We live in a world of gimme gimme gimme, take take take, with no thought for others. And I have watched everyone place me on a seasonal pedestal instead of the real reason for the season.”

Boyd didn’t know what to say. He had only dreamed of catching a glimpse of Santa scurrying down his chimney on Christmas Eve full of cheer and laden with gifts for everyone. He never expected the jolly fellow to be so despondent in nature. It kind of felt like a let-down, and Boyd realized he had been happy with the fantasy. He wished now he never got on that bike, and he wished he wasn’t here talking to Santa. The whole thing was so depressing it took the joy out of Christmas.

“I know what you’re thinking, young man,” Santa spoke into his thoughts. “You think I’m a disappointment, to you, to the children, to everyone. I guess after all these years I’m tired. Tired of watching the world become so selfish. No one cares anymore, and there certainly is no peace to be seen.”

“But why?” Boyd still couldn’t understand. “Why punish everyone else?”

“Because in your own way you are all guilty of doing the same thing,” was Santa’s reply. “You all put your faith and hopes in the jolly old fellow from the North Pole. You all put him on display in your windows with candy canes, fairy lights and snowmen. None of which has anything to do with why you actually celebrate Christmas!” Santa suddenly grew angry.

“Christmas is not about me – it never has been! I’m merely a messenger, an angel of goodwill, if you wish. I have no power over mankind or the world! I am no great being! I am simply a man people have chosen to carve out of history to create as their mascot for the season! Because perish the though anyone should actually dare to celebrate the Truth!”

“You went to Sunday school, Boyd, you know the story. The baby in a manger, Mary and Joseph, the wise men, the star… Every year you sing about them in Christmas carols, and tell the story once again. But do you actually hear the story?”

“But I thought that’s all it was – a story,” Boyd answered innocently. “How could a baby be born without…you know,” he grew sheepish at the innuendo. “And how could angels suddenly appear out of nowhere scaring the shepherds half to death only to tell them about the baby Jesus? And the star? How could that shine so brightly that three men from a long way away could follow it to the exact place? How could any of that be real? And how could God make his son be born that way only to have him killed so horribly?”

Santa merely looked at Boyd and smiled before speaking quietly, “How could you arrive at the North Pole on a flying bike across the world and be speaking to a figment of everyone’s imagination?”

Boyd was speechless. Santa was right. How could this be real when something so much more logical was deemed a fairytale? He was also right about everyone making him the reason for Christmas. No one seemed to display Nativity scenes anymore, or very few did. And more and more they were singing about Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, rather than The First Noel, O Come All Ye Faithful and Joy to the World. Everyone seemed to forget about the real reason for the season!

Suddenly everything became clearer as Boyd realized he was chosen because of his childlike faith and innocence. Santa had chosen him to spread the real cheer and real peace of the season rather than the falsehood everyone else had built up over the years. Boyd knew that people only saw Santa for Santa and nothing else, and boycotting Christmas finally seemed to Boyd as the only way to save it. After all, people never knew what they had till it was gone. Maybe then the world will come to realize what it is they had and took for granted. Boyd knew now that the “work” Santa spoke of was not making toys or checking the naughty and nice list, but spreading the gift of Christmas in a different way than the world already knew.

He looked up at Santa and smiled. The jolly fellow stretched out his arms and placed them lovingly around the little boy, and Boyd felt the love and kindness radiate from the heart within the man. It was a refreshing and wonderful feeling.

And now Boyd knew what he had to do. He opened his eyes and turned to face the jolly man but he was no longer there. Nor was he in the snowy surrounds of the North Pole. Instead he was tucked up in his warm bed and the glow of the digits of his clock radio told him it was 5am. Boyd rubbed his eyes. It couldn’t have been a dream, he thought. It was way too real! The bike, the snow, the ad…. Boyd’s eyes opened wide. The ad! It was still stuffed in his pocket! Quietly climbing out of bed he scrambled to the chair where his jeans were slung over the back of and began searching frantically through his pockets. It’s got to be here, he thought. Then his hands felt a wad of screwed up paper and he wrenched it out. He opened it to find it was an advertisement for the Christmas Story, a Nativity play being performed that evening in the local park. This didn’t make any sense, but then Boyd realized that it did. This was the true meaning of Christmas – not all the presents and food. This was the gift he had been given. To be a kind of “angel” on earth to spread the Christmas truth and remind people just what it is we celebrate and why. And it had nothing to do with Santa. Boyd knew then that his dream had told him that if he, and everyone else, didn’t do something to change the world now then they would all end up with nothing. They had already forgotten the true meaning of Christmas and replaced it with a jolly fellow in a red suit, but Boyd knew now that it was more than that.

Smiling he crawled back into bed, and that’s when he saw the gleaming red bike in the corner of his room trimmed with a giant bow and a card that read “Merry Christmas Boyd!”

Yes… Christmas wasn’t Christmas till it happened in your heart. And for him that night, it had.

Hey Hunny!!!!1

Did you see this ad in the paper?

OMG!!! It says Santa is retiring and is looking for someone to replace him.Do you think this is true? OMG!!! What if it is? I would so love to have this job! Don't you think I would be perfect for it? Hunh?Well don't you?

Well to be honest baby I don't really see how a woman could be Santa.I mean it kinda contradicts the whole legend, ya know? Anyhow what would you do? You always have these lightbulbs going off in your head thinking things are such fabulous ideas then you get bored with them.What would make you really wanna do this?You can't be serious....* chuckle** chuckle*

Omg! You know you really can be such a pig sometimes John. I am as good - if not better - than anyone else for this job! I have a ton of ideas I could really jazz Christmas up! I could take Christmas from being desensitized by the stores back to it's original granduer!!!! You know being a woman, wife and mother makes me just a lil more qualified for the job then anyone! I mean who knows kids better than a mom?Who is more sensitive than a woman?

You know what I would do first?

heheheh..... sure sweetness what would you do first.....hehehehe?

Ok then Mr.Smart Guy I'll tell you! First of all I would call a meeting of all the mall santas.I would appoint them official "deputy santas".They would be in charge of letting me know what's going on - you know my eyes and ears in thier specific towns. And they would report back to me on who's been naughty & nice. They could also keep tabs for me on who wants what ya know? So many people grow up mad @ Santa cuz they never got that special doll or wagon!!! This would so cut down on that! I would send questionairres out to each parent to fill out.That way I can get a real feel for each kid and see how the parents feel about thier behavior and then they could give me an ok on the toys thier kids are asking for.You know they may not want them to have a toy gun or a playstation 3.This could help out so much when making toys! Then I would organize the elves more efficiently. Like different departments of the North Pole, wrapping, toy making, mail, etc. Then I would have contests for them. Whoever was the most productive in thier department would get a reward! I would have each toy initialed with the letters S.C. so each kid knows thier toy came from me so thier hope never dissapates. They will always have a momento of Santa Claus to carry with them through thier lives.

I would also make special visits at night to the sick children. I would hold them and tell them how great Christmas is going to be! How much Santa believes they can make it.How much Santa wants to see thier name on the "Nice" list next year!!! You know some hope & faith - isn't that what Christmas is about? And I would also leave a story of me and how I came to be in every stocking so kids know who they are believing in! Is that enough ideas for ya John? Ha! I told you I am perfect for this job! Now what do you got to say?

I am sorry I asked!!!! You know what?You're gonna do what you want anyway so good luck! Just don't think I am gonna be in here all year long reading letters and carving toys out of wood for you!

Hettie

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This is a short story of Mary's reflections after the annunciation by the Angel Gabriel of her new position as Mother of the Son of God. For me this is the very beginning of the Christmas Story.

Wishing each and everyone of you a blessed Christmas and a New Year filld with success, happiness and harmony.

Joanne

As Mary sat sewing in the family garden, she heard birds singing in the tree above her head. Spring was in the air and everywhere there were signs of new beginnings. Bright colors were peeking out where before there was only brown dirt. Everything in the garden seemed to be in a kind of suspense, as if waiting for the moment when Mother Earth will give birth to an explosion of being, color and song. But Mary was too preoccupied on her own thoughts to notice all this. She was thinking about the strange encounter she experienced the night before.

She remembered she was in the process of retiring for bed, and just as she ended her evening prayers, she heard a masculine voice calling her name from behind her. She got up in shock, for there was no way a man could enter into her room without her knowing about it. As she turned, Mary heard a great fluttering of wings and a strong breeze coming from one corner of her room. A soft light glowed and there appeared a magnificent angel clothed in white. Gabriel touched his left breast with his right hand and bowed his head. Then he spread out his hands and announced himself.

"Greetings, Mary! I am the Angel Gabriel and I bring you a message from God our Heavenly Father."

Gabriel told Mary that she was to become the mother of the Son of God and that He would be the fulfillment of the ancient prophesy of old.

"How can this be, for I have known no man?" asked Mary.

The Angel informed Mary that as she was pure and her conception was immaculate, thus enabling her to encounter the pure Light of the Holy Spirit, and was expecting the Son of God. With that Gabriel again bowed his head, raised his right hand in salutation, and opening his wings he disappeared from Mary's sight, leaving her in the darkness of the room.

So now as Mary sat and concentrated on the details of this extraordinary encounter, recalled afterwards she felt exceptionally calm and full of the grace of the Holy Spirit. Remembering her words of acceptance, Mary suddenly felt the weight of the tremendous responsiblity that was now hers and hers alone.

"Let it be done to me according to His word ..."

Putting aside her sewing, Mary got up and walked up the gravelled path to the garden gate. Wringing her hands, she tried to control the rushing thoughts in her head.

"Having accepted this, I am allowing this to happen to me, but how am I going to explain it to my simple parents? Will they be able to trust me, and understand that my mission is a very special one, they who know only the love of God and trust Him with all their hearts?"

She returned to the little stone bench and picked up her needle and thread. "I am a young woman now, yet I do not feel ready to accept the responsibility of marriage. This is why I have refused all past offers. Yet now I am with child, and as yet have no husband. All those young men who have asked before are now all betrothed to other village girls or else have married and their wives are expecting their first child. Is there no one man left, not one single man with whom my parents can arrange a marriage?"

After a moment in thought, Mary had a vision: she was walking with her mother and another lady of their village from the market early one morning when a shy young man approached them. The lady introduced him as her her son Joseph, who was often absent from the village due to his work as a carpenter. The young people glanced at each other, and nodding, shyly smiled. Joseph took his mother's heavy basket and walked ahead with Mary, while their mothers followed closely behind, looking at each other and smiling.

This particular event happened just a few days earlier, and Joseph appeared to be a singularly intelligent young man for a simple carpenter. They had a interesting and very involved discussion that morning, and Mary couldn't get Joseph out of her mind for a long time afterwards. He really seemed sincere.

Feeling her cheeks grow red and hot from these unaccustomed thoughts, Mary gathered her sewing things and went into the house. She would tell her mother about her experience with the Angel Gabriel tonight when they were alone and suggest that her parents arrange a betrothel between Joseph and herself as soon as possible. Surely he would take this extraordinary responsiblity seriously, even if he didn't quite understand the essence of it right away. It was going to have to happen, anyway, especially if she wished to avoid a scandal, and she was sure Joseph understood that much anyway. Then as time went on, Mary hoped their relationship might develop into something much more than just sincere affection.

Mary smiled to herself as she folded the garment she finished sewing and put her sewing needles away in a box she kept in the family utility room. She glanced at the bolts of cloth standing side by side on a shelf on the far side of the room, already planning the contents of her wedding trousseau.

Mary and Joseph were married a month later, and as the seasons changed Mary grew heavy with child. Joseph began to understand the importance of his wife's mission, and respected and loved her all the more for it.

©Joanne Pons

8 December, 2006.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~ The Night a Child was Born ~

It was late in the afternoon but already a deathly black cloud hung despondently over the earth. The crowd of mourners gathered high on the hill in an eerie silence just outside of Jerusalem, where only the sound of weeping could be heard. If only they realized that this was not the end but just the beginning. And so it had come to pass, just as it had been written, that He would be born unto men and dwell among them just as He would die for their sins.

The King of the Jews, born just 33 years before in a little stable in Bethlehem. How had it all come to this? But I, the Messiah, already know. Now I could only hang my head in sorrow as the tears fell freely upon my face, not for myself, but for mankind. Yet here I am, just as it was prophesied, and still they know no better. I raise my head to the Heavens, acutely aware of the cries of my mother at my feet, and muster every ounce of strength I have left as I utter the words:

“Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do….”

A breath from my lungs, a gasp from the crowd, a bolt of lightning from the skies. With my final breath before I left this mortal life, I whisper:

“Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit….” As a tear escaped the Heavens and fell to the earth, my voice resounded, “It is finished!”

And the silence grew black as the night.

Watching my life pass before my eyes, seated at the right hand of my Father, I feel a sense of familiarity and though I know it is for the good of mankind I yearn to go back and do it all again. To make a difference. To bring peace on earth and goodwill to mankind. But I can only sigh as I watch the world stumble and falter over bad decisions and blatant ignorance. I want to reach out and say to them: “No! This way, my friend! Can’t you see that what you are doing?” but I have already done that. I know that now it is entirely up to them.

Sighing I close my eyes and continue to pray for the lost souls who still know not what they do. It all seems so long ago now…that silent holy night in the midst of a nation now so racked with war. I close my eyes and remember - another world, another life, another time – so long ago… in Bethlehem…

…I feel a slight chill in the air yet at the same time a warmth seems to embrace me. Upon opening my eyes I see a glow of light illuminating from the lantern held by the man I know to be my earthly father, Joseph, who belonged to the house and line of David. His faces radiates a splendour that only parents behold and beside him my mother Mary, weary from both the long journey and my delivery, smiles in all her loveliness. She makes comforting sounds and hums softly whilst holding me in her arms as my father gathers hay from the stalls to line the feeding trough by my mother’s side. I watch him whilst listening to my mother’s soothing voice and I coo at the animals nestled quietly in the shadows. And I see them smiling back at me.

“Husband, the little one talks to the animals,” my mother laughs. “Already He makes His mark on the world!”

“And so He shall, beloved,” my father answers with a smile. “For it is the will of God that He is not just a gift to us but a gift to the world, and He has come to do great things.”

Nodding my mother brushed her hand against my cheek as I grasped her finger and held it tightly, cooing softly.

“Yes, He is a most precious gift,” she whispered. “That’s why He is to be called Emmanuel - God with us. Just as He was always meant to be. So shall it be.”

A young and beautiful woman with a gracious heart, my mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, from the line of David. Yet even before their union she remained untouched in all her pure loveliness though she received a great promise from the Holy Spirit. She had been chosen to carry me, the Heavenly Father’s Son. My father had intended to divorce her quietly to save her the disgrace of being unwed and with child, but before he could do so my Heavenly Father sent an angel on His behalf to deliver a message of promise not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. With assurances that she has indeed remained faithful to him and that the child within her is a gift from the Holy Spirit, Joseph heard the message given to him – that Mary will give birth to a Son who will be called Jesus. And as I watched these events unfold from my Father’s right hand, I knew the whys, the wheres and the hows.

It was God’s will that my entrance into the world be a virgin birth because ever since the fall of man, Adam’s original sin had been passed down through humanity through sinful parents, albeit ignorance. But the Messiah would be free of sin therefore my birth needed to circumvent the natural method as an immaculate conception and, as God’s promise to the world, be born through purity and divinity.

Although at the time Mary and Joseph were in Nazareth, under the law of Caesar Augustus a census was to be taken so each man must return to his own town to register. This is how it came to be Bethlehem, because my father Joseph belonged to the house of David, which was Bethlehem. The journey was long and it was late by the time they arrived. My mother Mary was heavily with child and was growing very weary, and I could sense the time was nigh as I myself prepared for my own journey which I was about to take. But as everyone had returned to register for the census, there were no rooms at the inns in town – they were all full. But one kindly innkeeper took pity and revealed that he had a stable out back where Mary and Joseph could rest awhile. Still I already knew that here in the royal City of David was where I, the Christ Child would lay. And so it came to pass that before early morn I made my journey and entered the world of mankind as a babe.

Now lined with hay the old trough had been transformed and ever so gently my mother wrapped me in swaddling cloths and lay me in the manger that was to be my bed. She continued her humming as my father saw to her every need and made the necessary preparations for that which he knew was to come.

It was now very early morning and outside in the silent stillness it was dark except for a bright and shining light which I knew could be seen for miles. The star had risen in the East and now rested over Bethlehem as a sign to all the world that the Messiah had come, a guiding light to where He could be found.

I awoke again to the sound of voices outside, followed by a knock. My father, Joseph, son of David, answered for whoever it was to come. I was acutely aware of my surroundings and watched in childlike awe as some weary shepherds entered the stable, bowing to my mother Mary before falling to their knees at my side.

“Glory to God in the highest!” they exclaimed. “An angel of the Lord appeared to us while we were out in the fields tending our flocks, telling us of this great thing!”

“He said a child who is to be King was born tonight in Bethlehem!” another uttered. “We had to come see this glorious gift for ourselves!”

They remained by my side for some time, praying and glorifying God for His most precious gift, before leaving to spread the word to all who would listen. Smiling at them, the words “Go in peace” shone from my heart and rested on theirs as they bid my mother and father farewell.

Mary, my mother, began to look weary and rested her eyes for a while as I let mine wander about my surroundings. I chortled with glee at the sight of the oxen, the cattle and mule, reaching out as if to touch them. Still I didn’t cry with frustration when I found I couldn’t. I simply gurgled some more at them and they whinnied and mooed their response to me. A delightful banter that continued until Joseph, my father, gave them some feed to quiet them so mother could rest. I watched him for a while until my attention wandered to the crack in the stable’s roof.

It was then I became witness to the glorious light shining from Heaven, the same light the shepherds of the field had seen. A splendid host of angels filled the darkened skies, their angelic voices resounding in the early morn, proclaiming “Glory to the new-born King!” I felt the shelter of theirs wings embrace me as the arms of my Heavenly Father held in His a promise. For peace on earth at the birth of the Messiah, so that all the world may come to know Him through His Son. I wanted to leap for joy, but though my heart could do so I was but a babe, so I merely squealed with glee and praised my Father for His glory and greatness.

After some time the host of angels took their leave and left behind in their wake the star once again shining in the sky over Bethlehem. A single brilliant shining star. I find myself gazing at it’s radiance as if mesmerized by the lone beauty of such a light. As the Messiah, the new-born King, I am well aware of the significance of this Star and yet I am still taken in by its sheer beauty and magnitude, and of my Father who has created all of this in His majestic omnipotence. Words simply cannot express such wonder.

So lost in the splendid light from above am I the entrance of the three brilliantly attired men almost escapes me unnoticed. That is, until they come to greet me. In their hands they bear gifts which they present to me and my mother, who has now awoken, nods her gratitude. The aromatic scent of frankincense and myrrh fills the stable as the Magi, also known as wise men, lay their gifts of gold and the like by my side.

“Welcome, friends,” my father greeted them. “Come in and rest awhile. You have travelled far, yes? Come and see the child before you – he is a most precious gift. But how did you know?”

“We saw His star in the East and followed its guiding light from Jerusalem,” their answer came with soothing relief. “When we asked King Herod about the one born king of the Jews, he gathered the priests and teachers and then asked us to make a careful search for him. But we fear he only wants to kill the child.”

Sadly I was well aware of Herod’s intentions toward me so it came as no surprise. But the Magi, full of wisdom and understanding, bowed and worshipped me as their new-born king before taking their leave and returning to their homeland by another route so as to avoid Herod. By this time word had spread about the birth of a king in Bethlehem. So much had seemed to have happened in such a short time, and yet I knew what was to come. All too soon my father Joseph prepared himself, having been visited in a dream about Herod, so before dawn he gathered us together, my mother and I, and we fled to Egypt. We remained here until Herod’s death, and it was safe for us to return. In the meantime though, unfortunately, Herod took his revenge out on all the boys in the vicinity two years and under, by having them killed because he had been outsmarted by the Magi.

Still God’s work had only just begun and I had a front row seat to the show. For a long time ago in Bethlehem on that silent Holy night, a heavenly host proclaimed the glory of God in the highest, of peace on earth and goodwill to mankind – the night a child was born.

One Silent Night
By Sarah Long

It seemed that it was taking forever. I could not imagine enduring
this wait much longer. He said it would be soon. He said my time
would come. He said that I would hold a special place in all of
history ... A special place in the hearts of all men. I would be
remembered for eternities to come as the one who showed the
way. "Do not be puffed up with vanities," He said to me, "For the
Son of God is the One for whom they bow, for whom they come to see.
You are a vessel, bright one. You are going to show them all the
way. Do not boast with pride, but humble yourself before all men.
Your time will come and then you may shine with the light of the
sun. But not until it is time." He granted me a smile unlike any
I'd seen before and I felt the warmth of Him wash over me. I
blushed a little, then remember His words and glowed less brightly.
I was excited!

Word came to me quickly that my time was approaching. It was
rumored that I would be needed in just a few days time. I continued
to stay in the background and keep watch over my town ... a small
town called Bethlehem. I could see all of the buildings from my
perch. Lots of homes with gardens on their roofs, curtains blowing
in the windows and awnings ruffled by the breeze. It was quiet and
calm and the warmth of the night made for a comfortable solitude
that these people seemed to crave. For some time now, many people
had been coming into the city to be counted by the King. A census
they called it. They traveled to my town, bustling their families
and pack animals to an inn or a relative's house, to be counted
among the thousands of others just like them. And then they would
leave. This was a constant event around here and the quiet of this
special night was not lost on me. It seemed eerily quiet.

His voice reached me and I shuddered with anticipation. My time was
here! I scanned the town for anything out of the ordinary. I saw
what I was looking for: a man leading a donkey! And on that donkey
sat a beautiful young woman who was great with child! What a
sight! I knew in that moment that what I was seeing was remarkable
and unique to this very hour. Nothing else in history could
compare! Oh, how exciting!

Again His voice came over me and I rushed to my position. I preened
for a moment, preparing for when He allowed me to shine again. I
made sure I was clear and burning hotly. I wiggled a bit to get
comfortable and then just sat back. I glanced back to where the man
had been and noticed that he was gone. I slid my eyes over the
streets of Bethlehem and found him near me ... walking into a
stable, head hanging low, guiding the donkey in behind him. I heard
him speak is soft tones to the woman. "My lovely Mary. I am so
sorry I could not find a bed for you this night. I will do all that
I must to make you comfortable. Settle here in the straw for now
while I make a pallet for you to rest on tonight. I will ask the
innkeeper for blankets and water. Rest now, Sweetheart. I will
return soon." I watched him move towards the front door of an
adjacent building. Soon a woman came to him carrying soft cloths
and holding a jug of water. A loaf of bread stuck out from under
her arm. The man took the provisions from her and walked back to
his space in the stable. I heard rustling as he and his wife
settled into the hay for the night.

It wasn't long before word reached me that the show was about to
begin. I sat up a bit straighter and listened for my cue. In just
a few minutes the lusty cry of a hungry Baby curled through the
night air. I smiled as I realized it was His voice - but in this
tiny creature nestled at the bosom of Mary and resting in the
glowing grin of His step-father. His Heavenly Father smiled a
loving smile as well and I nearly wept with the joy of it all. My
attention was quickly distracted by the growing glow of the Heavenly
host ... music poured from the heavens and I heard the drums and
cymbols of this orchestra. A chorus of Hallelujias began and I
moved to the sound of it all. The skies lit up like they were afire
and a messanger stood above fields in the distance. I heard his
proclamation in my spirit. "Unto you is born this day in the City
of David ..." I smiled as he spoke and knew the cries I had heard
just moments ago were holy. One of the trumpeters in the host
pulled his instrument from his lips long enough to turn his head
toward me. "You're up next!" He grinned and turned back to his
music. In a flash, the sky was dark again, the messenger and his
musicians gone. I took a deep breath and beamed as brightly as I
could. I twinkled and sparkled, glistened and glowed. I did my
best to electrocute the sky with my intensity. I burned brighter
than ever before. And then it happened.

One of the shepherds in that lonely field rubbed his eyes and turned
to his friends. "We must do as the angel has said. We must go into
the city and bow before this baby King. Gather up your staffs and
lead the sheep to safety. We must hurry!" He glanced up at the
velvet darkness of the heavens and spotted me. "There!" he
exclaimed. "That is the star we must follow! Beneath its glowing
embers we will find the king of all Kings. We will find Him under
that star! Let us go into the town straight away and worship at His
feet!"

The other shepherds leapt to their feet and did as their friend
instructed. They hurried toward Bethlehem, ever aware of my
presence. They took turns watching me, making sure I didn't move
from my place above them. I wasn't going anywhere!

It wasn't long before they were through the city gates and
navigating the narrow cobbled streets. At last they arrived at the
stable. That first shepherd stood before the entrance to this now
holy room and looked to the sky. "You, Little Star of Bethlehem,
have led us to this nursery of the King. You have done well!"

They filed into the makeshift shelter and, on bended knee, bowed
before the Christ-child, the Light of the World. I smiled and
settled into a more comfortable position. My job was not finished
yet. I would be needed still. The wise men were coming!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have you ever wondered how the donkeys got to be in the manger scene? Was it because they were there when Christ was born? Maybe. Well, I have a little story to tell you, of how at least two of them got there...read on..

                                   The Carrier
                               By FlaIsleGirl@aol.com

     Even if the snow was falling, he would come out to look at the stars. The shaggy fur on his back was wet and slick from the pelting snowstorm, but he still had to find that promised star. Blinking in unison with a twinkling star, he called out loudly to his mother.
      "Mama Mama, is that the star?" He had asked this question night after night.
       "No, my son," his mother answered, "I have been told that it will be a very, very bright star. You will know it when you see it. This one is not bright enough for a King."

      The little donkey shook his wet fur and sighed in impatience.
      "But Mother, how long must I wait for this? I want to see the King!"
      "People have been waiting hundreds of years for this, my son. You must have patience." And then mother donkey turned her head toward the stables,
"Come, my son," she said. "We must go back to shelter now." She saw that the snowstorm was getting worse and worse, and soon, all the stars would be blotted out.
       "Oh dear, sighed the little donkey," Now I will never find the brightest star." Sadly, he walked behind his mother, his hooves plodding deeply and heavily into the snow.

         Years passed, and the stars and winters came and went, as the little donkey had grown up. He still looked toward the stars for the brightest one every night. Then one night, as a bright star shown in the heavens, he called out to his mother,
"Mother! Mother! That is the star!! I think, no, NO! I know that is the star!" It twinkled brightly, but his mother kept on grazing. "No, son, that is not the star. It is too dim to be fit for a King."

    "Yes, I do believe that must be the one!" As the donkey was insisting this, his mother shushed him. "SHHHH listen, I hear someone coming." Just then, he too heard footsteps. A man and a women, looking very tired, were walking together in the cold. The woman was with child, mother donkey noticed. Her heart went out to the woman, who seemed so weary, but yet, still beautiful. "Shh, listen, my son, they are speaking."

"Mary," spoke the man, " We should rest, for you must be tired from all of this walking. Let me carry you aways."
   "My husband," she said, " you know that I am tired, but I must keep going, for it will be time soon."
     "Be time for what, mother?" the donkey asked. "SSSSHHHHH!" His mother said again, "Let's listen to them."
     Just then the exhausted woman fell. That's when he forgot about finding stars and ignored his mothers pleas to keep quiet. The donkey mustered up all the energy he could and ran to their aid. He would be their carrier. He would lend them his back. Running in circles, he jumped high on his legs, rearing up. He wanted to get their attention.
    "Joseph, look at that silly little donkey." The woman laughed as Joseph helped his wife to her feet.
       "Come, here, little donkey." Joseph called kindly to the donkey who ran toward them. Joseph lifted Mary up onto the donkey's back. "Do you mind giving my wife a lift?" he asked. The donkey didn't mind at all.

      Soon they came to a stable, and as Joseph lifted Mary off the donkey's back, he was given hay and a warm stable to sleep in. But, worrying about his own mother, he ran out into the cold again to look for her. When he found her she was shivering and waiting for him. "Come mother, the man and woman have found a stable where there is food for us." Into the dark night they went again. Just when they thought they had lost their way, mother donkey blinked, looking to the East. "There!" she said. A bright, brilliant star!! Little donkey had found it too. This was the star! It was leading them right back to the stable where the man and woman had gone.

When they arrived at the stable, they looked at the most wonderful sight they had ever seen.
"Mother, the King! It is a new born King," the donkey said as he looked in awe in the manger at the little Baby. A bit of straw from the manger touched the back of the donkey. It was then he knew that he had carried the Mother and Child on his back, and that he had finally found the brightest star.

    So, as you look at the crib scenes during Christmas and see the little donkey there, know that forever he and his mother will remain under the brightness of the Christmas star, and in our manger scenes. I don't know, but I think Jesus may have promised the donkey this that night...do you think?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dream of Bethlehem

It was a cold Christmas Eve. 13 year old Ellen Grace White sat beside the window located at the living room of her home. She saw children laughed as they played along the snowy mountains, neighbors giving gifts and teens bragging about their new MP3, cell phones and coats. Ellen saw this and her feelings sank.

Her mother, Mrs. Editha White, came from the kitchen. She was holding an earthen blue cup in her hands. When Editha saw Ellen, she smiled and approached her, saying hesitantly,

“I’ve been searching for you everywhere, dear, but I didn't find you. Come on, have some of your favorite garlic soup...”

Hearing this, Ellen stood up, faced her mother angrily:

“Why it’s always soup? Don’t we have anything new? Gifts, MP3, roast duck, ham, truffles, cakes or any of them? It seems little sense to me!”

“You father is not home yet. Stop worrying, darling. You know, it’s going to be Christmas tomorrow.” Editha told Ellen.

“Christmas?! There’s no Christmas!” Ellen said, her eyes blazing, “No gifts, fine! No parties, good! No sleds, no new coats, no Christmas puds, and no nothing!!” she added angrily, fled to her room and slammed the door behind.

Editha, seeing this, froze in the sight of her daughter’s anger.

In her room, Ellen fumed and fretted, plumped on her bed furiously. But what Ellen saw outside of her window caught her eye. She hurriedly jumped down her bed and looked at the window. Out there, Ellen saw their neighbor, Mrs. Rachel Brown, putting up a brand new Christmas tree. Seeing this, Ellen turned away.

“I wonder when we will have this kind of celebration?” she sighed.

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________

Soon, Ellen found herself standing among the grassy field. She anxiously looked at her surroundings.

“Where am I?” Ellen asked herself, “What is this place?”

Ellen, her mind filled with questions, walked along the sandy roads. Not far from her, she saw some men tending their sheep, each holding a staff.

“Who are they? Why are they wearing those funny clothes? Don’t guys wear rock star jeans, punk haircut and spike shoes? What kind of a world is this? They looked so weird!!” Ellen thought.

Suddenly, a bright light shone the whole place and the men fell down to their knees, terrified. Ellen did not do anything. She just stood behind the tree, peering.

In the midst of the bright light, a man in white appeared to them. Ellen saw the man spoke to the men in a joyous tone,

“Be not afraid. For I bring you good tidings of great joy. Today, a king is born in the city of David, a Savior, which is CHRIST the Lord. You’ll find him wrapped in clothes, lying in a manger.

And after this, a great multitude of white clothed men appeared with the first one, saying, “Glory to GOD in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill unto men to whom His favor rests.”

Then, the white men rose into the sky and disappeared. The men tending their sheep rose up from their feet and talked to each other:

“Let’s go find that child. I can’t wait to see him!”

They scrambled off, carrying their staff as the flock of sheep followed.

“Baloney! What a bright light! If I knew I’ll be here before, I should bring my sunglasses.” She murmured, her thoughts turned to the men, “Hey! Where are they up to? I’ll follow them and see what’s going on.”

So, Ellen followed the men with their flock silently. The men soon came to a hut. They saw animals inside, and when their eyes turned to a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger, the men smiled.

“This is the place. Let’s go inside.” One of them whispered.

Ellen, hiding behind a tree near the hut, stared at them quizzically. “Hey, wait a minute! Where in blazes I am now?” she questioned herself.

A man came out of the hut, said to the men:

“Shepherds from afar, why are you here? It is not yet time.”

“But we have come to see the little one.” One of the shepherds, a young one said.

“Yes, Sonny is right. We’ve come to see the King. Good man, could you let us in?” Another shepherd pleaded.

The man from the hut let the shepherds in, along with their flock . The door was left ajar. Sonny and the 4 other shepherds put their staffs down and kneeled in front of the child.

Ellen did not do anything. She just hid behind the tree, frozen in sight.

Not for long, the shepherds came out of the hut with joy and happiness as they left along with their flock.

From her hiding place, Ellen saw them leave. “

What a weirdo.” Ellen murmured, and then walked away from the hut.

As she walked along the road, it was already nighttime, but the sky was filled with stars. Among the stars was a big, unusual star which was never seen before.

“How pretty.” Ellen said to herself, then turning to the other side of the road,

“Who are these men? What are those glittering things?” she asked, “I’ll see what they are up to.” Ellen murmured curiously.

Ellen crept behind the men and hid again, but this time she was behind a rock. She saw them clad in elaborate robes, As if they were kings of other country. The men’s glittering clothes shone beneath the pale moonlight.

“Wow.” Ellen whispered to herself, then turning to a steel chest, saying, “Hey! What’s this?” she murmured.

Ellen mused for a while and silently took the treasure chest. She opened it carefully.

"Great! I've never seen such pretty gold in my life. I’ve gotta get this for Mom and Dad. I’m sure they’ll like it.” Ellen thought. Without hesitation, Ellen tiptoed away and stole the gold. But one of the three men, the most handsome one of them, spotted Ellen and chased her back, shouting:

“Stop, thief! Come back with our gold!”

Frightened, Ellen hurriedly ran, in her arms clutching the gold chest. But accidentally, Ellen tripped on a broken twig and the gold chest was thrown off. It landed onto the ground with a great thud, the lid fell open and all its contents were scattered on the grass. Ellen, seeing the owner coming, hurriedly stood up and tried to get the treasure but her knee was badly hurt. She fell to the grass.

The handsome man, exhausted from running, picked up each gold carefully, put them back into the steel chest & closed the lid tightly. He then approached Ellen and asked:

“Where are you from, little girl? Why are you here?” then, looking at Ellen’s wounded knee, he added, “Are you alright?”

Ellen was bewildered when she heard this.

“Who’s little? I am 13 years old right now, and no one calls me little! My name is Ellen Grace White, and I am big enough. So, weirdo, never call me little girl, ok?” Ellen said, displeased.

The handsome man seemed to understand Ellen’s words. He took a piece of silk linen from his sleeve and tied it gently onto Ellen’s knee. Then, he carried her up.

“I do not blame you for getting the treasure. You are too young to do this kind of evil things.” The handsome man said.

“What are ya talking about?” Ellen asked, “Where am I now? And who are you?”

The handsome man did not speak. He took Ellen back to where the 2 other men were staying. The first man said to him:

“Who is this girl, Gaspar? And where is our present for the king?”

“It is all here, Melchor. Nothing happened. This young woman just lost her way here in the woods.” The handsome man replied with a smile.

“Oh. Very well, Let us hurry. I am sleepy.” The third man yawned and said.

“Stop muttering, Balthazar. We are not going home yet. We have to worship God.” Melchor scolded.

“All right. Let us go.” Balthazar said.

The three men, along with their treasures, mounted on their camels. Ellen joined them, sitting with Gaspar on his camel. As they rode among the route, she questioned herself:

“What is this thingamabob? Where am I really? And what made these weirdos appear?”

As if answering her question, Gaspar told Ellen:

“We are the Magi. We will go to Bethlehem and worship the Messiah. He is born today.”

Ellen did not reply. She thought to herself:

“Bethlehem? Magi? What? Seems familiar to me…this is not a dream, but did you mean Bethlehem?” her thoughts returned to the shepherds, and snapped in her mind, “This is 2000 years ago! I came back to 2000 years ago!!! But how? Did Mom know about it? Why doesn’t she show up and tell me? Why? Why?”

Ellen’s heart skipped a beat when they came to the hut again. The hut! Ellen has been there before!

“Now what?” Ellen said as Gaspar carried her down to the floor.

“Come in. we are going to worship the Saviour.” Melchor said to Ellen. They all came in, along with the presents of Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh. The Magi presented it to the child and its parents.

“Glory to the king of kings! Glory to the Messiah!” the Magi said as they kneeled in front of the child.

Ellen saw this and was enlightened. Her hatred was gone, and it seems that God’s presence filled the whole place.

“God is truly the spirit of Christmas. It’s okay if I don’t have any gifts. Thanks to God, he sent Jesus Christ here on earth.” She thought with a smile, and without hesitation, kneeled in front of the child. Gaspar, Melchor and Balthazar were surprised.

After giving gifts and paying homage to the child, The Magi, together with Ellen, came out of the hut. Before leaving, Gaspar said to Ellen:

“Ellen, before we leave, I would like to give you something as a remembrance.”

“Huh?” Ellen asked.

Gaspar took out from his bag a golden necklace. Its pendant was a large gold heart, filled with sardonyx, rubies and sapphires. He gave it to Ellen with both hands and a smile.

“Here, take this. Remember to pray.” Gaspar said.

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ ________

Ellen took the necklace when she suddenly felt someone tapping her on the shoulder.

“Ellen, Ellen….”

Ellen looked up. It was her mom, calling.

“Oh mother, it’s you.”

“You are awake. Finally.” Editha said.

“What?”

“I came here and saw you asleep on the chair. Now you’re awake. Come, change your clothes. Your dad is coming.” Editha chided.

“Really?!” Ellen said, surprised.

“Yes. And Gertrude.”

“Gertrude?” Ellen asked, quizzically.

“Remember? Your old classmate in grade school. He’ll be moving here into the neighborhood along with his family.”

Ellen did not reply. She just went off to the bathroom.

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________

After showering and changing into her best clothes, Ellen came to the living room. She was surprised when she saw a lot of people, along with her father. In their hands each carried a present.

“Merry Christmas, Ellen!” Everyone greeted.

Ellen was happy. She turned to everyone and said,

“Thank you, everybody. What a surprise!”

Then, a young man, 14 years of age, stepped forward, in his hands was a long shining gift box.

“Hi, Ellen. Long time no see.” He said.

Ellen was even more surprised when she saw this young man. His face seemed familiar! Who was he? She smiled and said,

“Hello, Gertrude. Am I glad to see you.”

“It’s a long time since we have not seen each other. You have changed a lot. You are more beautiful than ever.”

“You too, you’re mature now.” Ellen said.

Gertrude hands Ellen the present.

“For you.”

Ellen took the present. She looked at Gertrude.

“Open it.” He said.

Ellen opened the present. It was a purple velvet box. Then, she opened the lid and lo! A gold heart necklace filled with sardonyx, sapphires and rubies. This was the necklace given to her in the dream! What a happy day! Ellen smiled at Gertrude and thanked him.

Ralph, Ellen’s dad, stepped forward and put an arm around Ellen.

“Remember? This was what you want for your 13th birthday. Gertrude and I got it for you.”

“Thanks dad!” Ellen said, hugging her father.

“Why don’t we have our Christmas feast? It’s almost 7:30 in the evening.” Mrs. Carthage, Gertrude’s mom announced.

“Hooray!” Everyone shouted with joy.

Ellen was about to go with the adults when Gertrude came along.

“Let me join you.” He said, reaching out his hand to Ellen.

Ellen, happily, held his hand and together, they raced to the dining room.

Outside the house, the whole neighborhood sang Christmas carols as the star of Bethlehem shone its light on the White Home and floated away.

END

Anny Ong

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For my friend, Nae

Writing like this is telepathy

Writing like this is spirit speech

Prologue

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A gentle breeze moved through golden leaves, gently shaking lose a silver orb from the branch, the orb landed lightly on the soft gray green grass, a slender tanned hand picks up the lovely silver orb and places it into a roughly woven basket. The hand reaches up to tug a strand of dark brown hair behind a tanned ear. The female who picked up the fruit laughs at the words spoken to her by her companion, her heart is light, only common troubles bother her mind, she is simply a girl picking fruit with a friend.

A frown mars the girls face, it looks out of place, her mouth is more accustomed to smiling and laughing then to expressions of worry. Around her brown eyes the skin winkles, her high forehead is crossed by lines. She has seen something she wishes she did not view, something only she can see. A crimson ball of light hovering over a distant house, more and more balls appear, even as her friend asks what is bothering her. The screams ring loud from the distant houses, as the balls turn black and fade away.

The girls drop their baskets and run, one towards the sounds as she tells her friend to hide. One girl, who has feathery red hair and blue eyes, runs in the direction of the caves, casting worried looks over her shoulder as she cries for her friend to follow. The brown haired girl crests the hill bordering on the village just as thick gray smoke billows into the air, the clang of metal and wood meets the girls ears as she gazes on what was once her home. Chaos and death seem to be all thats left. A screaming child sits in a pool of blood as her mother dies beside her, an old lady is seeking to run while leading sobbing children. So many bodies litter the earth.

The girl races down and snatches up the screaming child and shouts to the old women, "To the caves!" the girl hands the women the child and runs throughout the village as tears stream down her face, so many dead, so many familiar people laying lifeless in the dirt. She finds few alive, she sees men fighting armed solders, women and children being slain as they flee, she tries to find any alive yet so few are.

She leaves the village, her arms are full of a screaming infant, she leads three older children and a young mother holding her own babe to the distant caves, they are all she could find, she found her mothers burnt body in front of her smoldering house, her infant sister under her, the infant she now holds. Her sight is blurry from the many tears she cries, her cheeks wet with salty tears, her nose red from her sobs. The caves seem so far to the desperate girl, who hopes that no solders follow her.

She arrives at the caves, deep set into the great mountain and hidden behind a waterfall. She leads the way into the caverns her arms and heart heavy from the burden placed within. It seems so dark, where before it seemed so bright. Her friend stands there, with many other women and children that had fled there when the fighting started, yet so few faces there, compared with the bustling village from before. They sob and cling to each other, as night falls outside. The images of death and destruction flash before their eyes, these many soot and blood stained people. Their lives seem shattered in the gloom of night, their future ended as they await dawn and the coming of the solders at that had destroyed their homes.

A green eyed child looks up, gazing at the brown eyed girl that lead them their, who sat rocking the last of her family, he spoke, his voice heavy with fear and tears,"Salla? Did you see my mommy's soul? Did she say anything?" Salla looks to the child and smiles sadly,"Yes I saw her, she did not speak, but she tried to hug you before she left."

The fearful people within the cave looked at the young girl, their faces hopeful that she would tell them something of the souls of their loved, hoping she would say she hadn't seen them, hoping that they were perhaps alive still. Salla turned her head, speaking softly she mentioned many souls that she had saw, yet she couldn't see them all. Hope and despair mingled within these people, perhaps they were the lucky ones, perhaps their loved ones survived.

The sun rose, painting the sky with fiery blood. Slowly, the survivors creped out, they walked slowly, jumping at every sound. They made their way to what was left of their village, a smoking ruin. No sounds of fighting reached their ears, just the shrill calls of carrion birds. They wondered the village, dragging bodies to the middle of the town, calling the names of loved ones, searching the smoldering remnants of their homes. No one was found alive, just the seemingly endless bodies of the dead.

The young children were left in the cave with the blond Tanait to watch over them, as her dearest friend walked among the ruins of their homes. The bodies collect, all were brought to the town square as Daset, the village elder threw the torch on them. He spoke, his voice gruff with tears, of days passed as he watched each generation play out in this very square, he mourned that he was the one to outlive so many of those he saw as his children, he spoke sadly of the fact that there were now so many orphans from an act of senseless violence as the solders appear suddenly with their swords drawn.

Salla stood separate, her arms wrapped around her sister as she once more cried for the dead, for the living. Everything had changed so suddenly, many were orphaned, all were homeless. What would happen now? Was the thought on their minds, what would they do?

Yes, what would they do?

"Lonely Christmas"

Greetings have all been sent,

And gifts have all been exchanged;

Everytime I passed by the window,

I didn't hear you call my name.

All night I'm waiting for your call,

But all I hear were careless whispers;

If only I could turn back time,

I'd let you stay for a lifetime.

So, Merry Christmas, my love;

I wish you luck in everything,

Though I'd be alone and lonely,

I'll keep a memory of you with me.

I LIGHT ONE CANDLE IN MEMORY OF YOU

I Light One Candle in Memory of You

Rainy clouds drop down dew
I light a candle in memory of you
Since the days we've been together
I knew friendships last forever

Even the nights were better
Whenever we're together
During times of trial and suffering
Passion and love is what you bring

It ended one day in January
Where your cry made our hearts weary
In Hades' world you were buried
Not even a goodbye, not even a wave of expression

You were my loyal friend,
My closest love;
Something that I could place gladness onto.
During early years of January,
I light one candle in memory of you.

A/N's: This poem is dedicated to my beloved dog, Bon-Bon, who died 7 years ago on the first week of January. Yep, a tissue warning for everyone in particular.. ..

Anny Ong

~ Christmas isn't Christmas... ~

Christmas isn't Christmas till it happens in your heart
While somewhere deep inside you is where it truly starts
A precious gift born unto man that we may come to know
The love that knows no boundaries amidst the Season's glow.

Toys and gifts and all the things wrapped beneath the tree
As children gather Christmas morn that's all they really see,
While outside a sceptic world somehow along the way
Has lost the Spirit and the peace we once knew on Christmas Day.

Christmas isn't Christmas like it was before
Now it's become political and we're wondering what for?
A time for love, a time for peace yet all we seem to do
Is fight a war amongst ourselves - we really have no clue.

It's sad to see it come to this, our innocence is lost
There are no more Nativities, no manger and no cross,
For fear of retribution that somehow we offend
Minorities who do not share that gift born unto man.

But Christmas is still Christmas no matter who believes
And still there's that excitement we all feel on Christmas Eve,
But it's the baby in a manger and his gift to all mankind
That begins and ends the Season until the end of time.

So gather near this Christmas and let's all celebrate
The Christ Child who was born to us in Bethlehem that day,
Let's just get back to basics and remember from the start
That Christmas isn't Christmas till it happens in your heart.

*October Monthly Challenge*

Life can turn you upside down.

Grab your legs and throw you round.

Mess you up, make you cry.

Make you feel the need to die.

I’ve been through it all too much.

I can’t see clearly, I’ve had enough.

I’m drowned in tears and lost in pain.

I reach for the scissors once again.

It may seem stupid, it may seem mad.

But it’s what I do when I get sad.

It doesn’t hurt, I like the steel.

It makes me feel alive and real.

I press the blade into my skin.

I feel the metal wander in.

I love the way it makes me feel.

I never want the wound to heal.

I hope that it will make it right.

No more sad and lonely nights.

I hope that I can save myself.

No one knows how they can help.

If only I could understand.

How the metal finds my hand.

Then maybe I could find a way.

A way to make it go away

Defeated
Earlier this week, I ventured out on a trip in the snow. I was on my way to a doctor's appointment for which I had driven about 400 miles from my home then an additional 125 or so miles from my hotel to the town the appointment was in. I needed to do this because I have some very serious trust issues. I have not had a physical in over ten years. I am diabetic and I needed a fresh prescription. I am also having serious depression issues so I could not put it off. It was literally a "do or die" situation. I held on through the darkest depression I have ever had so I could see this doctor.

Once I arrived in town, I settled in at the hotel and prepared for the trip the next day. I was glad I had made the appointment for 4 PM because it was snowing where I was staying (about 1,900 ft. elevation) and my appointment was at in a town at about (4,400 ft elevation). The TV news was reporting a heavy snowfall for the day and snow chain/tires were required. I tried to change the appointment for another day in the week but the doctor was not going to be in for the rest of the week so I had two choices. One, I could brave the weather and the road conditions, although I have never been in snow before, or two, I could go home without seeing the doctor and suffer through more depression and still not have prescriptions for my diabetes or my depression. I chose the first option because I knew that I simply could not hold on much longer.

I inquired locally and bought snow cables for my tires and got the best route to take, which was not the mapquest route I was going to take. I went off on my way. The first forty or so miles were fine. Then I hit the heavy slush and ice where everyone was pulled over putting on or taking off their chains and cables. I pulled over and asked a man that appeared to be a local if I should put them on because I had not seen a sign advising their use. He said definitely put them on. He had just come down the hill and he was surprised the road was not closed. I thanked him and got the cables out to figure out how to put them on. Another man came over and asked if I needed help and I said I did. I felt rather like a fish out of water. So he put them on for me. He was very nice and had stopped to take his off of his car.

When he finished, he advised that I take a different route than the guys at the NAPA store recommended. So I did. About one mile onto the road, I realized it was not a good idea. The road had not been plowed and I was driving on packed ice about four to five inches thick. But it was too late. I was already committed. I continued at about ten miles per hour and for over an hour I did not see a single car in either direction and I had no cell signal. I had to go on. Then, I heard a loud disaster-like crash. I stopped to look. The entire driver's side front panel had been ripped out by the snow cable snapping. Everything was gone, the side panel and the inside of the wheel well. I had no choice. I had to keep going. I was, needless to say, very scared. I was almost glad there was no one on the road so I wouldn't hit anyone as it was very hard to steer with traction on only one tire. I made it to my doctor's appointment with about 40 minutes to spare. I was very shaky. I almost could not even walk. I checked in with the receptionist and explained what had happened then went out to the car to call Avis to have the car replaced. They said they could not get to me for 24 hours! And this was their Emergency roadside assistance. They sent a message to the nearest Avis advising them they had to reserve a car to swap out with me the next day and left me to fend for myself.

I had a wonderful doctor's visit with this man who was more of a friend than a doctor. He even called his wife to tell her, very excitedly, that I was in his office! After my visit I asked and was told there was no motel in town. The nearest was 36 miles away. So I drove very carefully and very, very slowly. I got eighteen miles away, half way! I began to hear something rubbing on the passenger wheel and realized the other cable was gone or at least loose. I could not control the car. Had I been going any faster (I think I was going about 15 mph) I would have gone off the road. I found a place to stop, not completely off of the road but as far off as I could get without going down an embankment. I checked and the cable had become dislodged and was wrapped around the axle. I couldn't go any further. I got back in the car and found my cell phone. Luckily, I had a signal. I called AAA. I tried to explain what had happened and the condition of the car and everything and ended up crying like a baby. The poor woman took pity on me and put a priority on my call because I was alone, in the dark, in the 7 degree temperature and not at all prepared. She also knew I had not eaten anything all day long and that I am diabetic. I sat and waited for the tow truck. They did not come in the estimated forty-five minutes. I called AAA again. They checked and said there was a delay and it would be another couple of hours.

I sat and waited. I got very cold. I tried to turn on the heat but it wouldn't work. I was very scared. I thought I was going to die out there. I thought of getting out and walking but I knew I was at least 12 miles from town (it turned out I was 18 miles away). It was very dark. I sat in the car and cried. I didn't want to freak out my family so I didn't call the kids. I had only one person to call on my auto dial. I called him but he wasn't in. I ended up talking to him on the voicemail (thank goodness there was not limit on how long a message I could leave). I just needed to feel like there might be someone on the other end of the line. But then I began crying and sounding very frantic and I didn't want anyone to know how defeated I felt so I hung up and waited longer. Finally, I was picked up by the tow driver, who was very nice. He wasn't able to take me all the way back to my hotel where I was staying because of the time and the weather and the fact he had been working for over 18 hours without a break. He took me to a local hotel where I tried to warm up. It took me over four hours to warm up enough to take my snow jacket off.

I was such a basket case. I could not eat or sleep or concentrate. I had my laptop but could not even type anything. I shook all night long. In the morning I had to call the tow again to take me into my hotel where all my things were 125 miles away. Finally, I got into the hotel around 2:30 PM and had to make arrangements with Avis to come switch out the car. And then they told me the damage was not covered under the insurance I had purchased which was supposed to cover the full value of the car. I still have to fight them on that one.

It took me the rest of the day and most of today to get steady. It is finally now that I can type a sentence without twenty mistakes. I am finally now feeling a little like myself.

I think the thing that was most humbling about this was the fact that I had shown people my vulnerabilities. I don't do that often. It is not easy for me to do so. I have had to be the rock solid single mom for so long that I just am not able to show the vulnerabilities that are threatening to tear me apart from the inside out. For once, someone saw that I am alone and that I am not as strong as I pretend to be. It didn't even matter that they were strangers. They saw it.

I felt so defeated; so vulnerable; and so humiliated.

Corina

Just this morning I got a line

I’ve read he killed so many

The Sock Thief