The Man Who Missed Christmas
By J. Edgar Park
It was Christmas Eve; and, as usual, George
Mason was the last to leave the office. He walked over to a
massive safe, spun the dials, and swung the heavy door open.
Making sure the door would not close behind him, he stepped
inside. A square of white cardboard was taped just above the
topmost row of strongboxes. On the card, a few words were
written. George Mason stared at those words, remembering.
Exactly one year ago, he had entered this self-same vault. And
then, behind his back, slowly, noiselessly, the ponderous door swung
shut. He was trapped--entombed in the sudden and teeming
dark. He hurled himself at the unyielding door, his hoarse cry
sounding like an explosion. Through his mind flashed all the
stories he had heard of men found suffocated in time vaults. No
time clock controlled this mechanism; the safe would remain locked
until it was opened from the outside. Tomorrow morning.
Then the realization hit him. No one would come tomorrow.
Tomorrow was Christmas. Once more, he flung himself at the door,
shouting wildly, until he sank on his knees exhausted. Silence
came, high-pitched, singing silence that seemed deafening. More
than thirty- six hours would pass before anyone came--thirty-six hours
in a steel box three feet wide, eight feet long, seven feet high.
Would the oxygen last? Perspiring and breathing heavily, he felt
his way around the floor. Then, in the far right-hand comer, just
above the floor, he found a small, circular opening. Quickly he
thrust his finger into it and felt, faint but unmistakable, a cool
current of air.
The tension release was so sudden that he burst into tears. But
at last, he sat up. Surely, he would not have to stay trapped for
the frill thirty-six hours. Somebody would miss him. But
who? He was unmarried and lived alone. The maid who cleaned
his apartment was just a servant; he had always treated her as
such. Lie had been invited to spend Christmas Eve with his
brother's family; but children got on his nerves and expected
presents. A friend had asked him to go to a home for elderly
people on Christmas Day and play the piano--George Mason was a good
musician. But he had made some excuse or other; he had intended
to sit at home, listening to some new recordings he was giving himself.
George Mason dug his nails into the palms of his hands until the pain
balanced the misery in his mind. Nobody would come and let him
out, nobody, nobody, nobody--.
Miserably the whole of Christmas Day went by, and the succeeding
night. On the morning after Christmas the head clerk came into
the office at the usual time, opened the safe, and then went on into
his private office. No one saw George Mason stagger out into the
corridor, run to the water cooler, and drink in great gulps of
water. No one paid any attention to him as he left and took a
taxi home. Then he shaved, changed his wrinkled clothes, ate
breakfast and returned to his office where his employees greeted him
casually.
That day he met several acquaintances and talked to his own
brother. Grimly, the truth closed in on George Mason. He
had vanished from human society during the great festival of
brotherhood; no one had missed him at all.
Reluctantly, George Mason began to think about the true meaning
of Christmas. Was it possible that he had been blind all these
years with selfishness, indifference, pride? Was not giving,
after all, the essence of Christmas because it marked the time God gave
His son to the world?
All through the year that followed, with little hesitant deeds of
kindness, with small, unnoticed acts of unselfishness, George Mason
tried to prepare himself. Now, once more, it was Christmas
Eve. Slowly he backed out of the safe, closed it. He
touched its grim steel face lightly, almost affectionately, and left
the office.
There he is now in his black overcoat and hat, the same George Mason as
a year ago. Or is it? He walking a few blocks then flags a
taxi, anxious not to be late. His nephews are expecting him to
help them trim the tree. Afterwards, he is taking this brother
and his sister-in- law to a Christmas play. Why is he so
happy? Why does this jostling against others, laden as he is with
bundles, exhilarate and delight him? Perhaps the card has
something to do with it, the card he taped inside his office safe last
New Year's Day. On the card is written, in George Mason's own
hand: "To love people, to be indispensable somewhere, that is the
purpose or life. That is the secret or happiness."
from list Christmas_story_lovers@yahoogroups.com
WHY
JESUS IS BETTER THAN SANTA
CLAUS
Santa lives at the North Pole ...Jesus is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh ...Jesus rides on the wind and walks on the
water.
Santa comes but once a year. Jesus is an ever present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies ...Jesus supplies all your
needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited ...Jesus stands at your door
and knocks, and enters your heart.
You have to wait in line to see Santa ...Jesus is as close as the
mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap ...Jesus lets you rest in His Arms.
Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi, little boy or
girl, what's your name?"... Jesus knew our name before we did. Not only
does He know our name, He knows our history and future, and He even
knows our hearts and how many hairs are on our heads.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly ...JESUS has a heart full
of love, grace, mercy and forgiveness.
list Christmas_story_lovers@yahoogroups.com
Double Angels
By David Scott, sixteen
Waking up to the sound of my alarm, I smiled
at the joy of only having to wait one more day. I got out of bed
and threw some clothes on. Digging around the kitchen for some
breakfast, I settled on a bowl of Cheerios and some leftover pizza from
the night before. After watching cartoons, playing some video
games and chatting on-line with some friends, it suddenly hit me that I
hadn't bought a present for my mom. It was Christmas Eve, and the
stores were going to be closing pretty soon. So I threw some
shoes on, grabbed my skateboard and set off to the mall.
I swung open the heavy glass door into the
mall only to see an incredible sight. People were running and
panicking everywhere, trying to find the perfect gift for their loved
ones. It was total madness. I decided to begin trying to
make my way through the crowds when a guy in a black coat came up to me
and told me with desperation in his voice that he had lost his brown
leather wallet. Before I could say a word, he shoved his gray
business card into my hand.
"Please call me at the number on the card if
you happen to find it," he said. I looked at him, shrugged my
shoulders and replied, "Yeah, no problem. I'll do that."
He turned to stop another person, and I
continued to make my way through the unending stream of shoppers to
look for a gift for my mom. I searched everywhere, up and down
the mall in every store, with no luck. Finally, toward the very
end of the mall, I spotted a small antique and glass-art store.
It looked like it might have some interesting stuff - not the same as
I'd seen in every other store. I figured I had nothing to lose so
I went in.
Papers and boxes had been thrown everywhere
from all the greedy Christmas shoppers digging around for the perfect
gifts. It was pretty bad. It looked like a dirty bedroom
with smelly clothes scattered around in it. As I tried to make my
way through the pile of stuff, I tripped over a box in the aisle and
fell flat on my face. I was so frustrated and worn out from
shopping that I stood up, screamed and kicked the box. It flew
through the air and hit a big, high-priced clay statue, almost knocking
it over. My anger had gotten the best of me, but luckily no harm
was done.
As I picked up the box to put it back on the
shelf, I noticed a flat, green box hidden under some wrapping
paper. I opened it up to find an amazing glass plate with a
Nativity scene on it. There it was, the perfect gift, just lying
in some trash waiting for me to find it. It felt like one of
those moments when you hear angels singing hallelujah and beams of
light stream down right over the place where you're standing. I
smiled broadly, gathered it up and headed for the cash register.
As the cashier was ringing up my purchase, I reached into my pocket to
get my money. But my pocket was empty! I began to scramble
around searching every pocket when I realized I had left my wallet at
home. This was my last chance to get my mom a gift since the mall
would be closing in ten minutes and it was Christmas Eve. It
would take me twenty minutes to skate home and back. That's when
I started to panic. Now what do I do? I silently asked myself.
So I did the only thing I could think of at
that moment: I ran outside the store and started to beg people for
money. Some looked at me like I was crazy; others just ignored
me. Finally, giving up, I slumped down on a cold bench feeling
totally defeated. I really had no idea what to do next.
With my head hanging down, I noticed that one of my shoes was
untied. Great, I thought. All I'd need now is to trip over
my shoelace and break my neck. That'd be the perfect ending to
this useless trip.
I reached down to tie my shoe when I spotted a
brown wallet lying next to the front leg of the bench. I wondered
if it could be the wallet that the man in the black coat had
lost. I opened it and read the name on the driver's license
inside. Yep. It was his. Then my mouth dropped in awe
when I discovered three hundred dollars inside.
I never even questioned what I should
do. I knew that I had to do the right thing, so I found a nearby
pay phone and made a collect call to the number on the gray business
card. The man answered and said that he was still in the
mall. He sounded really happy and relieved. He asked me if
I would meet him at the shoe store, which happened to be right next to
the antique and glass store. When I got there, the man was so
excited that he thanked me over and over while he checked to see if his
money and credit cards were still there.
I turned to drag myself out of the mall and
back home when I felt the man grab my shoulder. Turning to face
him, I let him know that I hadn't taken anything. "I can see
that," he replied. "I don't think I've ever met a kid like you
who would return all that money when he could have taken it without
anybody knowing." Then he opened up the wallet and handed me four
twenty-dollar bills, thanking me again.
In great excitement, I leaped into the air and
shouted, "Yes!" I thanked him this time and told him I had to
hurry and go get my mom a present before the mall closed. I made
it to the store just as they were getting ready to lock up. The
lady was really nice about it and let me in.
I bought the glass plate and started skating
home, grateful that everything had worked out. I found myself
whistling Christmas carols as I replayed the evening over in my
head. Suddenly, it hit me. I realized that I had been sort
of a Christmas angel for the man who had lost his wallet, and that he
had been the same for me when I'd forgotten mine. Double angels!
I thought. It was another one of those moments when choirs of
angels begin to sing and beams of light shine down on you. I knew
that I'd never forget this Christmas Eve for as long as I lived.
The next morning, my mom opened my "miracle
present." The look on her face assured me that she really loved
it. Then I told her all about what happened when I was trying to
get her gift. The story made the plate even more special to her.
Still, to this day, she keeps that green glass
plate on our main shelf as a centerpiece. It reminds her of me,
of course, but it continues to remind me that amazing things can happen
when you least expect them. Especially during that magical time
called Christmas.
from list Christmas_story_lovers@yahoogroups.com
My Birthday....
Well as you know, it's time for my birthday again. Last year,
they had a
really big party for me and it seems like they will again this
year .After all
they've been shopping and preparing for it for months now, and there
have
been announcements and advertisements almost every day about how soon
it's
coming!
They really do go overboard about it, but it's nice to know that
at least
one day of the year some people are thinking about me a little.
You know,
it's been many years now since they first started celebrating my
birthday. Back
then they seemed to realize and appreciate how much fun it is for
the little
children. Just the same, it seems that most folks are
missing the point of
it all. Like last year, for example, when my birthday came
around, they
threw a big party, but can you believe it? I wasn't even
invited! Imagine!
The guest of honor, and they forgot all about me?
Here they had begun preparing for the festivities months in
advance, but
when the big day came, I was left out in the cold. Well, it
happened so many
times in recent years, I wasn't even surprised. Even though I
wasn't invited, I
thought I'd just quietly slip in anyway. So I came in and
stood off to the
side. Everyone was drinking, laughing and having a grand time,
when all of a
sudden in came this fat fellow in a bright red suit, wearing a
phony white
beard and shouting, "Ho, Ho, Ho!" He looked like he had more than
enough to
drink. When he collapsed into a big armchair, all the little
children went
running over to him excitedly yelling, "Santa, Santa!" I mean,
you'd have thought
he was the guest of honor and the whole holiday was just for
him.
Finally, I just had to leave. I walked out the door. It was
no surprise
that no one even noticed that I had gone. As I walked down
the street
afterward, I felt about as lonely and forlorn as a stray
dog. I could not remember
the last time I'd felt that low. Maybe you don't think I'd
cry?
The little manger scene you put in the corner of your living room
is really
touching! It's good that people commemorate my birthday
like that. Did you
know that nowadays, in some countries, the authorities won't even
allow
manger scenes to be placed in parks, streets, or public places
anymore? Not to
mention their schools? I'm not talking about Communist
countries. I'm talking
about the good old USA.. Imagine! What could be more
innocent than a
manger scene to remind people of my birthday? Yes, it is
banned! They've
actually passed laws against it and made it illegal! What
is this world coming to?
Another thing that amazes me is how, on my birthday, instead of
giving me
presents, most people give gifts to each other? And to top it all
off, it's
usually all kinds of stuff they don't even need! Let me ask
you, wouldn't you
find it odd if when your birthday came along, all your friends
decided to
celebrate it by giving each other presents and never gave you a
thing?
Someone once told me, "Well, it's because you're not around like
other
people are, so how can we give you a present?" You know my
answer to that
one.............Give gifts of food and clothing to the poor, help
those who need
it. Go visit the lonely! Any gift you give to your
needy fellow man, I'll
count as if you gave it to me personally. (See Matthew
25:34-40)
It reminds me of what happened recently to a friend of mine, a
sweet elderly
fellow. He's from the poorer side of town, and he's been
trying
unsuccessfully for years to join the church. It was a very
exclusive church for the
proper kind of folks, and they just did not think he was good
enough to be a
member. I found him one day sitting by the church steps
with his head on his
hands bowed. I asked him what was wrong. He told me about
it. I put my arm
around his shoulder and told him I knew just how he felt.
I've been wanting
to enter that same church for twenty years and they never let me
in either!
Well there is an end even to my patience. So I'm going to
let you in on a
secret. Now this is something I've been planning on doing
for quite
sometime. I'll have my own party! How about
that? It's going to be the most
fantastic feast you could possibly imagine! It might not
happen this year, but I'm
sending out the invitations now. I know you'll want to
come. There is
going to be room for billions, for everyone who wants to come!
Some really famous
old timers and celebrities are going to be there, and I'll
reserve you a
seat of honor right there with them! (Matthew
8:11)
So hold on to your hat, because when everything is ready,
I'm going to
spring it as a big surprise! Many people are going to be
left out in the cold,
because they did not answer my invitation. Let me know
right away if you'd
like to come. I'll reserve you a place and write your name
in large golden
letters in my great big Guest Book!
Much Love, Jesus
from list ChristianEncouragementStoriesRUs@yahoogroups.com
Teach
The Children
This is how it happened... I just finished the household chores for the
night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front
of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise,
Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas
tree.
He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. "What are
you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat, and I
saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was
the eager, boisterous soul we all
know.
He then answered me with a simple statement. "TEACH THE CHILDREN!"
I was puzzled; what did he mean? He anticipated my question, and with
one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the
tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children! Teach
them the old meaning of Christmas. The
meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten."
Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it
before the mantle. "Teach the children that the pure green color of the
stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the
everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles
point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward
heaven."
He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach
the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago.
God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of
fulfillment of His promise."
He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. "Teach the
children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the
world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who
displaces the darkness."
Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it
on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real
nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of
affection."
He then pulled from his bag an ornament of himself. "Teach the children
that I, Santa Clause symbolize the generosity and good will we feel
during the month of December."
He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. "Teach the children that the holly
plant represents
immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The
red holly represents the blood shed by Him."
Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that
God so loved the world that HE gave HIS begotten SON..." "Thanks be to
God for his unspeakable gift.
"Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the Holy BABE and
presented HIM with gold, frankincense and myrrh. We should always give
gifts in the same spirit of the wise men."
Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it
on the tree. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the
shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed
sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the
symbol that we are our brother's keeper."
He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. "Teach the children that
it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's
birth. The angels sang 'Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and
good will toward men."
Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out
a BELL. "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the
sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell
symbolizes guidance and return."
Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that
the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the
children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center,
for I am but an humble servant of the One
that is, and I bow down to worship HIM, our LORD, our GOD."
from list Christmas_story_lovers@yahoogroups.com
THIS IS BEAUTIFUL
Sally jumped up as s oon as she saw the surgeon come out of the
operating room She said: "How is my little boy? Is he going to be all
right? When can I see him?"
The surgeon said, "I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't
make it.."
Sally said, "Why do little children get cancer? Doesn't God care any
more? Where were you, God, when my son needed you?"
The surgeon asked, "Would you like some time alone with your son? One
of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to
the university."
Sally asked the nurse to stay ! with her while she said good-bye to
son.... She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair.
"Would you like a lock of his hair?" the nurse asked.
Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a
plastic bag and handed it to Sally. The mother said, "It was Jimmy's
idea to donate his body to the university for study. He said it might
help somebody else. "I said no at first, but Jimmy said, 'Mom, I won't
be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend
one more day with his Mom." She went on, "My Jimmy had a heart of gold.
Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he
could."
Sally walked out of Children's mercy Hospital for the last time, after
spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with
Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car. The drive home
was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried
Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to
her son's room. She started placing the model cars and other personal
things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She laid
down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.
It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Laying beside her on the bed
was a folded letter. The letter said:
"Dear Mom, I ! know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I
will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not around to
say I LOVE YOU. I will always love you, Mom, even more with each day.
Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt
a little boy so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can
have my room and old stuff to play with But, if you decide to get a
girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do.
You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know. Don't be
sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place Grandma and Grandpa
met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will
take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to
watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his
pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me
to see GOD! And guess what, Mom? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to
Him, like I was somebody imp! ortant. That's when I told Him that I
wanted to write you a letter, to tell you good-bye and everything.....
But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well, you know what Mom? God
handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter.
I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this
letter off to you. God said for me to give you the answer to one of the
questions you asked Him 'Where was He when I needed him?' "God said He
was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross.
He was right there, as He always is with all His children.
Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what I've written except you.
To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool?
I have to give God His pen back now. He needs it to write some more
names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus
for supper. I'm, sure the food will be great.
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore. The can! cer is
all gone. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God
couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The
Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery!
How about that?
Signed with Love from: God, Jesus &Me.
from hisindescribablegift@yahoogroups.com
T'was the night before Christmas
and, all through the town,
Not a sign of Baby Jesus
was anywhere to be found.
The people were all busy
with Christmas time chores
Like decorating, and baking,
and shopping in stores.
No one sang "Away in a manger,
no crib for a bed".
Instead, they sang of Santa
dressed-up in bright red.
Mama watched Martha Stewart,
Papa drank beer from a tap,
As hour upon hour
the presents they'd wrap.
When what from the T.V.
did they suddenly hear?
'Cept an ad ... which told
of a big sale at Sears.
So away to the mall
they all flew like a flash,
Buying things on credit
and others with cash!
And, as they made their way home
>From their trip to the mall,
Did they think about Jesus?
Oh, no ... not at all.
Their lives were so busy
with their Christmas time things,
No time to remember
Christ Jesus, the King.
There were presents to wrap
and cookies to bake.
How could they stop and remember
who died for their sake?
To pray to the Savior ...
they had no time to stop,
Because they needed more time
to "Shop til they dropped!"
On Wal-mart! On K-mart!
On Target! On Penney's!
On Hallmark! On Zales!
A quick lunch at Denny's!
>From the big stores, downtown,
to the stores at the mall ...
They would dash away, dash away,
and visit them all!
And up on the roof,
there arose such a clatter
As grandpa hung icicle lights
up on his brand new step ladder.
He hung lights that would flash.
He hung lights that would twirl.
Yet, he never once prayed to Jesus;
Light of the World.
Christ's eyes ... how they twinkle!
Christ's Spirit ... how merry!
Christ's love ... how enormous!
All our burdens ... He'll carry!
So instead of being busy,
overworked, and uptight
Let's put Christ back in
Christmas and enjoy
some good nights!
- author unkown -
from hisindescribablegift@yahoogroups.com