A Christmas Story
'Twas the night of Thanksgiving and all through the house not a creature was stirring, just the clicking of a mouse. My wife was up past midnight performing her Black Friday ritual, while visions of bargains and dollar signs flashed 'cross the digital. Her fingers a blaze on the keyboard did race, casting a maniacal glow, a wreath round her face. She looked straight ahead as if possessed by flickering light, a digital dance that would last through the night. The scene before me, an existential fright, so I dashed to the back door and into the night. My steamy breath illuminated by the pale moon's glow, trying to process what I saw, I just didn't know. I must have dropped off to sleep as I awoke with a jerk, I was cold, hungry and everything hurt. Allowing my head to clear, finally aware, I looked about trembling with cold or was it fear? I was on a dark mountain when I looked to the right, a hooded stranger appeared, pointing to a bright light. My eyes gazed upward, I saw a star, bright like none other, that shone from afar. Looking to the horizon I did behold, a choir of angels proclaiming a word, "For this day, is born to you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Whaaat, I thought as I could not speak, a warmth filled my heart as if from a burning fire, right down to my feet. Have I gone back in time 2000 years or am I just real tired? As if on cue in my brain did display, every Christmas before me, unpacked from Santa's sleigh. I should have been been happy but I grew very sad. I saw presents galore unwrapped in a frenzy and it didn't seem fun, when I just opened, a Red Ryder gun. My heart was in anguish as something was missing and I knew not what, my mind frantically fishing. A buzzing noise soon filled my head and when I opened my eyes I was in my own bed! The alarm clock still buzzing, up I arose, slapped off the clock while stubbing my toes. Hopping on one foot, I fell, hit my head, and with a loud thwack the bright morning, went dead. A vision from the night swirled in my head as the hooded stranger pointed and said, "Go back to the manger, there you will find the joy you have fled. "When I awoke, despite the knot on my head, I dropped to my knees and I prayerfully said. "Forgive us Lord for we have forgotten the Son you have sent us, that you have begotten. We replaced him, and we all followed, a shopping holiday that leaves us all hollow."
May the light of the star that shone 2000 years ago on that first Christmas morn, rest and abide in your hearts, for that was the Light of the world, the true Light that pierces the darkness and brings hope, joy, peace, and life to all who believe. May the Good Lord bless you and your families this Christmastide and beyond! -Art