* * * * *
Johnny staggered through the darkening streets of Pawnee Falls, running, running, barely outracing the confusion that nipped at his heels, the visions that danced in his head. Skidding on black ice, Johnny tumbled into the Sidewalk Santa who merely laughed and skated out of the way. Picking himself up, Johnny stumbled through his office door. The bell above tinkled in clear bright tones.
Magical beings flocked about the room. Nick glowered, pacing with crossed arms as the two boys fought over candy at the old scale. A stout woman served cookies and milk as an attractive girl pouted under the mistletoe alone. A drum major in a red uniform and bearskin hat cracked chestnuts in his mouth. Over at his desk, a white haired old fellow tapped at the computer while smallish men played dice in the corner. Candle swung on the chandelier and then glided down to Johnny.
“He’s going to cancel Christmas. We need your answer now.”
“Is it better to give or receive?”
Johnny understood at last. “So that’s what this is all about? You drive me crazy because with all your strange power and magic, you can’t even answer a simple question?”
Johnny went to the antique scale scattering Give and Get. All the spirits fell quiet, eyes intent upon him. He gathered the loose candies into the bowl on the scale and then carefully slid the weights into place so that they balanced each other out.
“It’s not one or the other. It’s better to give AND receive.”
The spirits nodded; here was an answer to chew on. They turned to Nick for his decision. He cleared the crust from his throat.
“Humph. Ever since I discovered Christmas…”
“You didn’t discover Christmas,” said Johnny, “It was there all along.”
Nick paused. “You’re right of course, but…”
“But,” said Johnny, “you’re asking the wrong question. Christmas gifts aren’t a transaction, putting a value on the giving, tallying up the getting. Look out the window, what do you see?”
The Sidewalk Santa danced wildly, listening to music unheard by others. He jumped high and spun, shuffled backwards, shimmied and shook, grinning with ecstasy.
“That’s Abby. The town thinks he’s cracked but he’s just marching to the tune of a different drummer. Boy, I admire him. He’s out there every day dancing with happiness. He doesn’t care if you put money into the collection chimney because that’s not the point. For him, it’s enough that he’s there, giving a smile, giving joy, celebrating hope and life.”
“That’s the real Spirit of Christmas and nothing you can do, no magical being, can change that. It’s not a god’s decision, it’s a human’s decision, our decision, my decision.”
“And I say that Christmas goes on!”
The spirits cheered. Nick nodded to Uncle Stan who gathered up his team and headed for the door grumbling “Hah!” all the way.
“Watch out,” said Candle, “Here he comes!”
“Is that really…?” asked Johnny.
“Yes, it is,” said Nick. “Ever see a reindeer fly?”
* * * * *
Outside, Stan’s sleigh rose into the night and was gone. Johnny grinned; he had always wanted to see that.
“Nick… Merry Christmas!”
Nick melted inside and the water came out as tears. And then he said something that he hadn’t said for a very very long time.
“Thank you.”
He continued, “I always believed it’s what you did and not why you did it. But it’s the feeling underneath, isn’t it? Yes, that’s right.”
Nick held up a small black jewelry box and flicked it open. The Snowflake Earrings shone out in brilliant beauty.
Johnny shook his head. “I can’t take this.”
“Nonsense. This is a gift freely given. Merry Christmas.”
Johnny, searching for the right words realized that there was only one thing to say.
“Thank you.”
Inside, the spirits danced on.
###
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Merry Christmas!
Brad Cochrane
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