A Christmas Story
Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Jimmy. It was the night before Christmas. Jimmy was very excited and anxious for the forthcoming morning. He was in great hopeful expectation of a shiny red bicycle that he had requested of Santa.
Jimmy’s mother had given him a warm bath
and put him into his flannel pajamas. “Jimmy, it’s time for you
r
prayers,” said his mother. So down to his knees at the side of his bed he did
go. Jimmy raced through his prayers all while his mind was on the red bicycle.
His mother said, “Jimmy why so fast?
“I’m sorry Mom, but I’m worried if Santa will bring my bike tonight. I don’t think I can sleep.”
Jimmy’s Mom assured him that Santa would bring him his wish. “You’re a good boy. I’m sure that Santa will bring you the bike that you want.”
Jimmy persisted with his anxious concern. “But Mom, remember when I didn’t put my toys away when you told me to do so.”
“Yes Honey, but you were forgiven. I’m sure that Santa will bring you your wish. Give me a kiss.”
“Ok, Mom.”
“In you go. That a boy. Sweet dreams. Good night Jimmy.”
After what seemed to Jimmy would be a long, long night of lying in bed waiting for morning to come, he quickly fell asleep.
Suddenly, Jimmy heard noises outside. As he got up and looked out the window, he could only see a bright star in the sky. So he put on his slippers and robe. Quickly he ran out the back door into the yard. There he saw a man and a woman that looked almost like his Dad and Mom. They were in the storage shed. They were cuddling with a small little baby boy. They looked so cold.
Then some men came along with some fuzzy white
animals and came into Jimmy’s yard. They said hi to Jimmy. “Can we look
inside the shed?’
Without thinking, Jimmy said, “I guess so!” As they went into the shed, Jimmy heard them say, “Oh, it’s him!” The men sounded so happy.
Jimmy pushed through to see what was happening. He asked them, “Who are you? Who is the baby? Why did you come here?”
They said to Jimmy, “You don’t know?”
Jimmy said, “No!”
One of the men, an old man who looked very much like his grandpa said, “Sit down and I’ll tell you.”
So, with fearful interest, Jimmy sat on the cold floor.
The man said that they had been waiting a long, long time for this present. This is why we are so happy.
Jimmy didn’t understand because he didn’t see any gifts or wrappings. He said, “I don’t understand.”
The old man said that although they didn’t deserve it, they had been promised this special gift.
Jimmy thought that sounded like what his Mom had said to him, “you’re forgiven, you’re good, you’ll receive you’re wish.”
Then suddenly Jimmy was being shaken. “Jimmy. Jimmy. Wake up. Wake up. It’s time to get up.”
Jimmy rubbed his eyes. He said, “Mom it's you!”
“Yes it’s me. Who did you think I was?”
“I thought that I was in the backyard and a…..”
“Wake up! You must have been having a dream.”
“Mom is both Jesus and Santa real? Why do both Santa and Jesus come at Christmas?”
“Well Jimmy, Jesus is real. But many people find it easier to believe in a nice, kind, old man who brings special gifts, than to believe in a small baby who will give them the greatest possible gift of all.”
“Come on Jimmy. Get up. It’s Christmas.”
Written by Jim Cordie, 2002