*
Christmas Day came as the aroma of roast turkey and stuffing filled the air. The trains rode round and round on the platform; the tree set proudly in the center. The colored lights and ornaments twinkled and the tinsel shimmered in the unseen breeze.
Wrapping paper strewn about, opened boxes and toys galore filled the living room. The fireplace, filled with pine logs, blazed and sparked. Set in a neat row on the mantel were the framed images of past Christmases.
The clock struck noon and the doorbell chimed. Over and over the family arrived. Smiling faces with gifts in hand and another ‘side-dish’ for dinner. Together again, all thirteen of us; the table wasn’t big enough but we made room.
Dad sat at the head of the table; Mom to his right and kids to his left. Everyone else found a tight spot.
“Let’s bow our heads,” Jack said with a pause and closed his eyes. “God … Bless this food and those about to partake of this feast and our family—together again, in Jesus name … Amen,” as we all softly echoed ‘Amen.’
“GOD, BLESS US ALL!”
T’Was The Night Before Christmas
By Richard Cotton
Twas the night before and not a thing moved not even a mouse.
“Aww dad not that old thing again,”
John Green looked to John Junior sat in his single bed his covers pulled up to his chest so that he covered the robot covered pj top.
“So what do you want?”
“I want something more up to date dad. Get with the times, or I will play with my 3d player”
John looked the room. Robots, spacecraft, transformers, the action dolls and the ladies has they needed mummies too so John Jr said.
“Ok son more up to date,”
The Santa Job
Santa was cruising at the height of five miles above America and heading for New York up town. When he spied a lone figure stood on the Brooklyn bridge holding on to the iron work getting ready to jump. There was snow all around so he would have to land on the far side and walk quickly to the person.
“Down we need to go down now,”
Santa spoke to the seven Reindeer that were pulling the sleigh. The deer slowed to a hover and began to sink downwards slowly. Yellow hazard lights flashing as they did so the runners touched the soft snow with a crunch as did the hooves.
“Good landing. Now stay here I won’t be long,”
Santa hoped it wouldn’t be long has he needed to be ready for the present’s soon. He stepped out his black boots crunched in the snow too. He adjusted the red suit he wore and straightened out his white beard. The he walked along the sounds of sirens far away heading to somewhere or here he hoped. The walk took him ten minuets and the figure was still there. Santa could see that this person was wearing a bobble hat for a lady and a long brown cotton coat for a lady too. Then there was the high heel boots black this made the person most certainly a lady. He wondered if she was on his good list or bad, but that would have to wait at the moment first to save her. He reached the bridge and found the path that would get him close to the lady. He could see her breath as it curled up into the night air. She was sobbing loudly. He wondered why this would be no one had to cry at Christmas time, well only those that did wrong and got lumps of dog poo. He saw the lady move so he run and grabbed her gloved hands and made a magic spell so she froze to the spot.
“Why are you doing this?”
“I am lost with out my child,” See spoke between sobs with out looking at him.
“What happened miss?”
“My only son was kidnapped and my husband has no money to get him back even though he works for a large firm with lots of money,”
“Look I will help if you give me the chance and your sons name,”
“Who the hell are you. You’re a cop right,”
Satan would forgive her for this she wasn’t in her right mind. Things were going wrong. He had hoped the good fairy would have done this job, but it looked like she was busy else where.
“I’m Santa Claus at your service,”
“Ah don’t give me that clap trap he don’t exist,”
“Look at me, do I look like a figment of your imagination?”
Santa saw her turn he face towards him. It was a young face with such beauty. Then the flash of a name came to him Jane Gray of New York around twenty five years old and married to Frank.
“Dad this isn’t going to be a soppy story is it?”
“Son there has to be some soppiness in the world,” John looked to the window it was cold out there.
“Anyway back to the story,”
Santa held her hand.
“Now what do you say Jane,”
“You’re dressed up for some police ball right or that stripper club,”
“If you wish that then that is what you think,”
“How can you help me any way?”
“Little Billy aged six is missing you as he is your son,”
“You’ve seen the news papers,”
Santa knew he would have to act quickly now before someone came along. He quickly reached into the pouch on his leather belt and sprinkled the dust on Jane’s nose. Her brow eyes went wide for a second then she went limp. Santa put Jane over his shoulder. This would have to be a quick job. He would need the crack team. First the Alien he came here once a year to get his presents and go back. He could crack into thee place like it was butter. Then there was Elf Man and Elf woman the drivers of the low rider they would be needed. Plus him self
“Dad haven’t I heard this on the cinema the other day?”
“Look if you keep interrupting me I wont get finished and Santa wont come,”
“Don’t worry I have seen my present,”
John covered his eyes. They would have to find a new hiding place.
“Right can I carry on?”
“Yes dad,”
Santa walked back to the sleigh Jane wasn’t to heavy. He placed her carefully into the seat and covered her with the fake bear skin to keep her warm.
“Up let’s go to the north pole,”
The Reindeer jumped up slightly to hover then lifted into the cool night air just above the clouds where Santa could see the full moon. They pulled the reins tight then everything lurched forwards at the sky melted into a flash of speed. Santa felt the cold wind whip into the cheeks of his face. He was glad of the beard and hat maybe gloves too. He hoped Mrs Santa had a brew on the go she wouldn’t be expecting guest. The land soon turned white and the colder so Santa placed a second wrap around Jane. The house here was hidden from view only the post man knew where he lived. The ride soon slowed and he saw the landing lights flashing along the flat piece of snow. The sleigh slowed to a hover and landed softly. Once down the deer pulled it into the workshop under cover.
“Fred get the deer feed and clean the sleigh,”
“As you ask, Beep,”
Fred rolled into view. He was a robot with wheels and a shinny white coat of pint. Light flashed on his control panel showing he was working. Santa lifted Jane out and walked to the door that led into his house.
“We have a guest. Beep,”
“Yes we do and have Elf Man and Elf woman come to my front room,”
“I will send Jake and Jenny to you right away,”
Santa had forgotten their names again something he could do with is writing their names down then keep it close to hand. Mrs Santa walked in she had dressed in her red top that held her top tight and red trousers with high heel boots on here feet.
“Who’s this then dear?”
“This is Jane Gray she is in trouble and we need to help her,”
“Is that so, why is it you always bring the ladies home and the angels help the men?”
“Well err hmm that is how it’s written down dear,”
Santa blushed hoping Mrs Santa wouldn’t notice. He saw her turn and feel Jane’s forehead.
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“She is running a fever I will make our patient medicine for her that should help,”
Santa watched his lovely wife go out to the kitchen just has Fred rolled in to the front room with Jack and Jenny.
“You asked for us Santa?” Jack spoke lightly with a hint of happiness to his voice.
“Yes I have a job for you and that alien we see,”
“Oh yes what job is that?”
“We have to go and rescue Billy Grey from some kidnappers,”
John saw his son his eyes where shutting and he was falling asleep.
“Is that it dad?” He asked sleepily
“No there is more it’s to be continued,”
John covered his son and went down stairs quietly to where his wife Kate waited form him on the sofa curled up in front of the sofa with there baby Heather gurgling quietly in the pushchair. He would be happier if there wasn’t so much to do with John Jr been ill as well.
Christmas Poem
By Susie Bennett
Its Christmas time, a time to celebrate
With a Merry Christmas one and all
Christmas comes but once a year,
With happiness and merriment.
People looking for the ideal Christmas gift,
The time of year to extend festive cheer to humanity
A time to join as one, to rejoice the nativity,
The birth of the Son of God.
Santa Claus visits each and everyone,
Flying high with his loyal and trustworthy companion Rudolph
With his dazzling bright red nose and the rest of the crew
Watching children’s faces as they light up with joyousness and elation.
Christmas is a time for families to share peace and goodwill
Dreams of Santa, dreams of snow
A time for sitting by the fire,
Fingers numb, faces aglow.
Staring as the flames sway to silent night, holy night
With yuletide by the fireside, and heavenly memories there,
Children hanging up their stockings,
a time for decorating the Christmas tree,
With gifts given to thee,
Must not forget the mince pies for Santa Claus,
The carrots for Rudolf
It’s time to go to bed to dream and marvel,
Dear Santa, I trust I have been good
If this is true I would like to ask
Please let there be peace on earth,
Forgiving and for forgetting.
Christmas is love, Christmas is peace,
and God bless us, every one!
Featured Story: A Christmas Gift
by Victoria Tomlinson
Congratulations to Victoria Tomlinson, winner of the 2012 Writer’s Muse Christmas Story Contest! We hope you enjoy her heartwarming tale, ”A Christmas Gift”.
It was the night before Christmas , snow was falling covering the streets in a white cold blanket. Sophia watched as the snowflakes danced upon her window.
"Sophia darling, you must get to bed or Santa clause won't come." Her mother smiled as she opened her door. The young child smiled and sighed softly. "I don't want him to come to me this year" she replied looking back out at the street below. Her mother looked confused and sat beside her. " What do you mean sweetheart? Don't you want new toys?" Sophia shook her head and pointed to a mother and child living on the streets.
"How could I ask for so much when they down there ask for so little?" Her mother nodded and sighed as she helped Sophia into bed tucking her in and kissing her head softly. Sophia could not sleep , thinking of the woman and her daughter cold and hungry.. Would Santa come to them?
She doubted it. Getting up out of bed she opened her dresser and took out a few jumpers and old clothes that no longer fit her, folding them and placing them onto her bed. Gathering her bag from the wardrobe she stuffed the clothes into it and placed it by the bedroom door. Taking her thick quilt from her bed she rolled it up and placed it beside the bag. Getting dressed she looked once more outside , the snow was coming down heavier . The woman and child were huddled close to conserve as much heat as they could.
Sneaking down the hall with her bag and quilt she passed the living room where she could see her parents watching television . She snuck into the kitchen and quiet as she could opened the fridge pulling out a few small morsels that she could carry in her hands a tray of sandwiches’ made for Christmas days lunch. She hurried back to her room waiting for her parents to go to bed and when they did she snuck out to the tree and opened the small presents finding a brand new dolly she had asked for .
She was over the moon and then she sighed, she got toys and dolly’s galore. She packed the dolly into the bag also and carried them outside wrapping the blanket around the sleeping woman and placed the bag by her side and the tray of sandwiches’ in her lap. She took the dolly out of her bag and smiled “ now you have someone more deserving to look after you” she whispered to the doll as she placed it under the child’s arm. Christmas morning and Sophia’s mother came into her room
"Sofia... Its Christmas time to open your presents...Sophia? " her mother got the shock of her life. Her daughter was curled up on her bedroom floor asleep with her coat on . She woke her up gently “ Sophia darling what has happened why are you in your coat…. your frozen solid..” she woke up sleepily and smiled “ why are you so cold where have you been ?”
She rushed to the window and smiled happily as the woman looked on in amazement at how warm she was and the food in her lap. She began to cry at this persons great generosity and to bring a wide smile to her Childs face as she kissed and snuggled her dolly close . Her mother looked out at woman and child open mouthed. “is that your blanket? Are those my sandwiches‘ ? and is that your ….?”
Sophia smiled and just nodded “yes mummy, that my blanket and dolly see mummy I can be like Santa too . “ her mother smiled and held her close a tear coming to her eye “now that’s what is called the spirit of Christmas… lets offer them in to share Christmas with us?” Sophia nodded with a smile “yes lets”
And the motto of the story is: its not the big things we do for one another it’s the small acts of kindness be it loose change you can spare a blanket a sandwich or even a hand shake. But the warmest gift to give a homeless person this Christmas is a smile to remind them they are not forgotten. So raid your cupboards raid the clothes that no longer fit you a small gift that someone can benefit from spread the tears the joys the warmth remind them that they are thought of this Christmas
As Charles Dickens once wrote in a Christmas Carol with little tiny Tim “god bless us ….everyone.”