by BobA. Troutt
*****
Jawbreakers, Bubble Gum and Stick Candy
A Christmas with no Gifts
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
It was Christmas Eve in the little town of Willow Springs. A new coat of snow had fallen the night before. Willow Springs was a small community located back in the foothills of a small mountain chain called Pine Mountains. The giant pines surrounded the town like a big green wall. The snow had come early that year and everyone was excited, especially the children. If you listened closely, the popping and snapping of tree limbs could be heard as they buckled under the weight of the heavy snow.
It was early in the evening, in the little town, and people were doing their last minute shopping; they hustled and bustled from store to store. The air was filled with the songs of Christmas as the people hurried about. The store shelves were nearly empty and the last turkeys and hams were disappearing fast. It was Christmas! The children anticipated the arrival of Christmas morning as they sledded, threw snowballs and built snowmen. Families were gathered together, eating, laughing and singing Christmas carols. Yes, it was a joyful time in the little town. Joy filled the valley everywhere except for the little house on Morningside Drive where little Johnny lay in his bed sick. His parents stood by his bedside as Doctor Bell examined him.
“Hmm,” said Doctor Bell as he checked Johnny’s temperature and then frowned. “His temperature is a little high,” he said as he rubbed his chin and stepped back from the bed.
Little Johnny coughed which caused his little body to shake all over. Discreetly, Dr. Bell motioned for Johnny’s parents to step out of the room so he could talk to them privately. Little Johnny got out of bed, tiptoed over to the door, pressed his ear to it and listened.
“What’s wrong with him, Dr. Bell?” his mom asked.
“Will he be alright?” questioned his dad.
“He will be fine,” replied Dr. Bell. “He’s just running a little fever and has a bad cold.”
“What can we do for him?” questioned Johnny’s dad.
“I’ll prescribe him some medicine,” replied Dr. Bell. “Be sure he gets plenty of rest and call me if there is any change,” Dr. Bell instructed.
“Thank you for coming by, Dr. Bell, on Christmas Eve,” said Johnny’s dad. “I know it was an inconvenience.”
“Oh, that’s alright,” replied the doctor. “It was no problem. I hope you have a merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas to you,” Johnny’s mom and dad replied.
Johnny dropped his head in disappointment and walked over to the window to watch the falling snow. He watched the children playing outside. They were throwing snowballs and making snowmen and snow angels. They were laughing, jumping, rolling around in the snow and even catching snowflakes with their tongues. He also saw Doctor Bell drive off. Tears filled his eyes and ran down his cheeks. What a Christmas Eve this has turned out to be, he thought as he wiped his nose and eyes with his shirt sleeve. It’s Christmas Eve, he sighed, and I’m stuck in bed sick. Slowly, he got back in his bed and pulled the cover up around his neck. With tears still in his eyes, he couldn’t understand why he had to be sick on Christmas Eve. It’s just not fair, he thought. Suddenly, his bedroom door opened and his dad and mom peeped in to see how he was feeling.
“What’s wrong honey?” his mom asked. “Why are you crying?”
Little Johnny replied, “It’s not fair to be sick on Christmas Eve.”
“I know,” she said. “But sometimes things happen at the worst times.”
“That’s right son,” said his dad. “Maybe you’ll feel better by tomorrow and things will be different.”
“You think so?” perked up little Johnny.
“We’ll have to wait and see, Johnny,” replied his mom. “Right now, you need to get some sleep.”
His mom and dad each gave him a kiss on his forehead before they turned off the lights and left the room.
“I hate that he’s sick; it will ruin his Christmas,” his mom said to his dad.
“I do too,” replied his dad. “But, it’s something we can’t help. All we can do is pray for the best.”
As night crept by, little Johnny slept with his mother at his bedside. His dad looked in on them throughout the night. All was silent that Christmas Eve night throughout the little house on Morningside Drive.
Early the next morning, little Johnny’s fever broke. ‘Twas Christmas day, right after Christmas Eve, little Johnny jumped out of bed. He was still dressed in his pajamas and cap and was so eager to run downstairs to open his gifts that the jolly old fellow from the North Pole had left for him.
On Christmas Eve night, little Johnny had dreamed of toy trucks, cars and other things. As candy canes and sugar cookies danced in his head, his dream went on to bring peace and love to everyone.
However, as he entered the cold, dark room once filled with Christmas, he looked down in gloom. Under the tree there was neither a speck nor a crumb; it was clean as a whistle and as empty as they come. But, listen my children; Santa had not visited little Johnny yet. Or, had Santa forgotten. As brokenhearted as little Johnny was, he knelt down, cried and prayed.
“Johnny, Johnny, wake up. Don’t you want to see what Santa brought you?”
Suddenly, little Johnny woke up and saw his mom and dad standing beside his bed. Was I dreaming? he thought. Did Santa come?
“Come on, Johnny. Let’s go see what’s under the Christmas tree,” said his dad as he lifted Johnny up onto his shoulders.
They hurried down the stairs and quickly turned the corner to the living room. Little Johnny peered down from his daddy’s shoulders and looked around the room. There were all kinds of gifts, trucks, cars and other things under the Christmas tree. He saw candy canes, sugar cookies, bats, balls, a fire truck, a dump truck and a pair of skates.
“Wow,” yelled little Johnny, as his dad put him down. I must have been dreaming. This is the best Christmas ever. Thank you, Jesus,” he said, “for making my Christmas a Christmas filled with gifts.”