Rescuing Christmas

by Elissa Strati

  Blinking rapidly to clear his eyes, Charles cleared his throat. “I’d forgotten that day. You and Little Hank were there helping lay out and erect the addition and offered to taste.”

  “It wasn’t that hers wasn’t any good, exactly, but, well, yours was just a darned sight better!” chimed in Little Hank to general laughter.

  “Mother taught me to mend and sew on buttons, too, which came in mighty handy these past few years!”

  “Well we’d best be getting’ back to it if you’re going to be ready to give those cooking classes!” Big Hank stood up, rubbing his belly and smiling at the ladies who’d been feeding them. “Thank you all for some mighty good grub!”

  The sentiment was echoed by each of the rising men as they pulled gloves from pockets and prepared to finish the work. By evening the barn was raw and new looking, but complete, including the added shed.

  Charles went from group to group as people gathered their things to leave, thanking each person for his or her contribution, even the youngsters, most of whom discussed their upcoming parts in the pageant with him. It seemed shepherds, sheep, and angels would be well represented.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN ― Settling In

  “We’ll help you move in tomorrow, although you are welcome to stay here as long as you like,” Suzanne said matter-of-factly as she passed him a filled plate.

  “Yeah, we should head out after morning chores,” added Tom.

  “Don’t leave, what’s your hurry? Just don’t let the door smack you in the back!”

  The boys’ whoops at this witticism were quelled by a look from their mother. She might not have Dorothy’s knack, but suffered not fools herself.

  “Don’t be silly. Didn’t you hear the Clearys say they’d be dropping by in the morning with some odds and ends to get you started in housekeeping? Or was that when little Angela was perched on your shoulder telling you about her angel costume?”

  “I’ve never seen such a fella with the tykes,” grumbled Tom. “It’s like you’re the Pied Piper.”

  “He doesn’t growl at them.”

  “He doesn’t have to live with them!”

  The boys were nearly doubled over with laughter now, knowing their parents were teasing their Unca Charles who was just sitting there with a saintly expression on his face as his hands reached out to either side to tickle them.

  Shrieks of laughter arose and this time The Look was aimed at Charles whose false contrition was obvious. Tom guffawed.

  “Settle down now, boys,” her glare swept all the grinning men, “before something gets spilled.”

  A quick chorus of yes, ma’ams, brought the level of hilarity down marginally until the boys suddenly realized that all this talk meant Unca Charles would be leaving in the morning for good. Suddenly their faces became solemn as they stared at him.

  “Will you ever come back to visit us?” quavered Reggie.

  “Boys, I’m just going to be over the ridge, just like I’ve always been. You can even ride over to see me when your folks say you may. Just be sure they always know where you are, though, so they don’t worry!’

  Suzanne shot Charles an approving glance for adding the caution, as the boys broke out in relieved smiles.

  “And besides, we expect you to join us Sunday to see the pageant, and of course on Monday for Christmas dinner!”

  “I suppose you’re expecting me to bring a pie?”

  “No, just that appetite of yours!”

  “Ouch! And I was just about to ask you to pass those delicious biscuits!”

  The silly bantering went on, easing the dismay all felt at breaking up their cozy circle. But once the initial pangs eased, the boys realized each would have his own bed back, and warm and welcoming as it was here, Charles was rather looking forward to having his own space again.

  ~~~

  Cresting the hill the next morning, Charles looked down on his newly completed barn, pride of ownership followed swiftly by an overwhelming feeling of gratitude to the people in his town and to God for the blessings with which he was surrounded. He whispered a prayer of thanks and then turned to Tom, who’d also paused at the top to survey the scene.

  “Isn’t that Mary on that wagon next to Big Hank?”

  Charles looked toward the road and saw the rig. And the big cast iron stove roped to the wagon bed. He quirked an eyebrow at Tom.

  “Did you know about this?”

  Tom nodded. “Mary said she wasn’t planning on rebuilding and saw no point in letting it just rust away.

  “Roger was mighty proud when he presented Mary with the latest new-fangled stove that dad-blamed salesman talked him into. I believe that man may have even suggested it would teach her to cook.”

  Charles snorted and Tom couldn’t restrain a chuckle as he continued to reminisce.

  “I swear half the town followed the wagon from the station when they brought it out to the house. But you should have seen Mary’s face!” He doubled over his saddle horn with laugher and Charles joined in. The noise must have carried because Hank and Mary looked up at them and waved.

  Trotting down to meet the wagon, Charles declared, “I’m blaming you if Mary wants to know why you were laughing at her!”

  “She won’t know . . .”

  “Oh, yes she does. You know Mary!” And they both guffawed.

  Mary was sort of glaring at them as they approached, Tom noted, but she seemed determined to take the high road as she only commented, “Lovely day, gentlemen,” and nodded graciously.

  Charles swept off his hat and bowed sideways, leaning over in his saddle. “M’lady Mary, any day with you in it is lovely. Your smile brings the sunshine with it.”

  She burst out laughing, while Hank cast Charles a sly smile and Tom rolled his eyes. Mary turned to him. “Tom, you old good-for-nothing, I know you’re the troublemaker here. And it is no secret that the best stove in the world will never make a cook out of me. The meat just burns itself before I ever set it on the stove!”

  “Toldja so!” muttered Charles to Tom as the group finished their trek toward the barn.

  Several others had pulled up as well, including the Clearys, and they all set to work getting the stove moved in and set against the chimney. The Clearys had brought a rope bed and mattress, bedding, and a few pans; plates and other needed items appeared and were placed on the hooks and shelves Charles realized had been installed while he was up on the roof. Flour, sugar, rice and beans and even a haunch of beef had also been provided.

  He found he was having trouble keeping his emotions in check as he looked around at his remodeled barn and the friends and neighbors who had made it happen. He’d thanked folks the day before but the extent of their generosity and caring was just beginning to really sink in, and he had to clear his throat a few times before he could force out a gruffly mumbled, “Thank you all!”

  A few bandanas appeared and there was a general coughing and nose blowing among the men and open sniffling among the women.

  Mary walked over to a chest which had been set against the wall next to the bed. Opening it she pulled out a quilt and matching pillow. “Suzanne and the girls sent these over. They decided to give you your Christmas present early.”

  Charles ran his fingers reverently over the stitching on the pillow cover. Each of the girls had carefully embroidered her name along with the date, “Christmas 1865.”

  “It’s beautiful,” he whispered. “You be sure to thank them for me when you get home and tell them I can’t wait to see them Sunday to thank them in person.”

  Hank, who’d been clanging around the stove, eased the solemn mood by yelling out, “Coffee’s on!”

  Sharing mugs, they each toasted the first event in Charles’ new home before hurrying back to their own homes to get ready for Christmas, which was now just a few days away.

  CHAPTER TWELVE ― Christmas Eve

  Christmas Eve fell on a Sunday in this year of Our Lord 1865. The congregation attended the evening service, welcoming their pastor�
�s sermon which highlighted the loving and giving not only of Mary, Joseph, and the Innkeeper who offered his stable, but of God, Himself, in giving us his only son as a guide and sacrifice for us.

  “Mary bore her child with great Serenity and Grace, the birth signaling a new beginning, offering the same promise and hope of any newborn infant from the lowliest mouse in the field to the mightiest King.

  “As each parent rejoices, so did God, Himself, sending to Earth a great light, that the world might know of the promise fulfilled, to send a Savior for us all.

  “Soon our children will be sharing the story of Christ's birth with us and we ask that you join them in singing the hymns that we may all cast our Joyful Noise unto the Lord. Now, let us bow our heads in prayer and thanks for this gift of our Heavenly Father. May his Blessing alight upon each of us and fill our hearts with love and joy.

  “Amen.”

  Cries of “Hallelujah!” and “Amen” rang out and Pastor Joe nodded toward Mrs. Henderson, who signaled the children that the pageant was to begin.

  One of the older girls, Judith Cole, dressed as an angel, walked forward and stood to the side. She nervously cleared her throat and then began reading from the Christmas story as told by Luke.

  “And it came to pass that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And Joseph went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, and into Judea unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, and he brought with him his wife Mary, who was great with child.”

  She turned to the side and watched as Nicholas Kenner, dressed as Joseph, walked in leading a donkey with Harmony Cooper dressed as Mary sitting uncomfortably on its back, as she was sitting sideways without a saddle and trying to balance without falling off. Her costume bulged in front to indicate her pregnancy.

  The choir started singing Oh Come All Ye Faithful and the congregation quickly joined in. Meanwhile, a door which seemed to have booted feet crossed the room and stopped in front of Joseph.

  Joseph turned to Mary and announced, “Here is an inn. Let us ask for a room.” And then he turned, hand raised to knock, but before he could the door opened and a bearded boy stepped out, robed as a Roman citizen.

  Joseph said to him, “We have come a very long way and my wife is very tired. Might you have a room?”

  And the Innkeeper replied, “Oh, sorry, no room at the inn.” The first Innkeeper went back through the door and Joseph lead the donkey in a circle, as Mary held on tight.

  Coming back to the door, Joseph managed to knock before the second Innkeeper opened the door, saying, “We have no room at the inn because of all the people coming to pay their taxes.”

  The door closed again and Joseph repeated his circle, coming back to the door for third time. Again he asked for shelter, and again the Innkeeper replied, “I'm sorry but we have no room in the inn.” Then he added, “But you are welcome to stay in the stable so at least you and your wife will have some shelter.”

  While the Innkeepers and their door moved away, some shepherds brought in a hay bale and a manger and Joseph walked the donkey over behind the hay bale, quickly tethered him, and reached up to help Mary down.

  Mary ducked quickly behind the hay bale and donkey and removed the doll which she had been holding on her lap under her dress as she was riding about. When she stood up she was holding it as a mother might a baby, and walked around to the manger, laying the doll down, while Judith, standing at the front, recited, “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a Manger.”

  Then Mary and Joseph stepped back and sat on the hay bale, which was being nibbled on by the donkey.

  Judith paused until they were seated and began again. “And there were shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night, and lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were sore afraid.”

  As choir and congregation sang Hark the Herald Angels Sing, several shepherds, and a sheep led by Reggie Kenner, followed an angel, Melody Cooper, who was carrying a lantern as high as she could reach. Pastor Joe took the lantern from Melody and placed it on the pulpit while the sheep was tethered next to the donkey, and the boys came to stand around the back of the manger.

  As the story progressed, more children dressed as angels and shepherds, and even some as sheep came onto the stage. Next several angels helped carry a long pole topped with a lantern which had been made in the shape of a large star, representing the light followed by the Three Wise Men. These arrived with a camel (a pair of boys most cleverly costumed) to We Three Kings. The front of the church was now packed with nearly every child in town and the pageant ended with Silent Night.

  ~~~

  “Did you see me?” called out Reggie as he bounced up to his parents. There really was no other way to describe his loping approach.

  “Yes, dear, we saw you,” laughed his proud mother. “You were the very best shepherd you could be!”

  “Just be sure that Suzie gets back into her pen tonight,” reminded his father.

  “Oh, yeah!” and off he flew to get his pet sheep.

  Sam the donkey trailed behind Nick, who had escorted Harmony and Melody to their mother and Aunt Mary, and the four of them were joined by the rest of the Kenner clan. Hugs and congratulations were shared (with the boys proud and embarrassed by the attention). Charles, who’d been attending to the livestock, matching beasts with boys (in most cases) to ensure all got home safely, strode up and gave each of the girls a big hug, but offered his hand to shake to the boys, recognizing they were trying to present a manly front to their friends and neighbors.

  “Time for bed, if you expect Santa to have time to visit,” called out Suzanne. Nick and Harmony shared eye rolls but stopped when they saw Suzanne’s gaze fall upon them. Dorothy, too, was raising a quelling eyebrow at the two in warning not to spoil the fun of the younger two. Oblivious to the looks passing over their heads, Melody and Reggie each gave excited whoops and started tugging the nearest adult toward the waiting buggies and wagons.

  “Merry Christmas” rang out from many lips as families departed from the church, many planning to gather together again the next day for Christmas dinner.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN ― Pre Dawn

  Mary awoke with a start. The depth of the darkness told her it was still a long time before dawn, but she had an urgent feeling that she needed to check on Sasha. Quickly bundling up, she found Melody’s slate and left a note for her sister. Went to visit Sasha and Old Dusty. If I am not back by the time you are ready to leave, I will go to the Kenners with Henry and Margaret Sue. See you at Tom and Suzanne's. Please bring my dress and gifts. Love, Mary

  She hurried into the stable and saddled Betsy. Mary knew she probably shouldn't be riding anymore but she felt fine and this would be far faster than hitching the buggy. But she did walk Betsy over to the mounting block rather than flying into the saddle as she was used to. Clambering aboard with some difficulty, she was soon on her way back to her old ranch to check out her beloved horses.

  Sasha had been somewhat restless when Mary checked in with her earlier yesterday; but that really didn't account for why she felt such an urgency to be with her now. Or maybe it did.

  Maybe it was her own impending motherhood that told her it was Sasha’s time?

  It seemed much colder now than it had been last night at the pageant. Fortunately the sky was clear and the nearly full moon was lighting her way, but she allowed Betsy to pick her way back to the stable where she had been born.

  Soon she could see its outline and sighed in relief as she dismounted at the door and, bringing Betsy in with her, put her in the stall next to Old Dusty, and slid off her tack, replacing it with a blanket. Reaching up to the hook for the lantern, she lit it carefully and made sure the match was cool before dropping it in the metal bucket.

  Sasha nickered at her and tossed her head as if sa
ying, “It’s about time you got here!” She stamped her feet a few times and shifted restlessly, making small noises of discomfort. Hurrying over, Mary realized there were damp patches on Sasha’s coat and that her sides were heaving in a contraction.

  “You were calling out to me!”

  Reaching out her hand to Sasha, she rubbed the mare’s muzzle and stroked her neck, feeling her relax a bit. This was Sasha’s first, but Mary was no novice to foaling and set about calming her and checking to be sure all was progressing normally. Absent complications, the mare would do all the work and she’d pretty much just stand by. She probably should run over to get Henry, she thought, but when she moved to step away, Sasha immediately became anxious until Mary was right there stroking her nose and neck.

  It didn’t take all that long, really. It seemed like no time before the mare’s water broke, and then the tiny fore-hooves appeared, followed fairly swiftly by the foal’s nose. With a few more pushes the rest of the animal emerged and Sasha turned to lick her newborn.

  Mary stayed out of the way, watching to be sure the afterbirth was intact and tucking it away for Henry to examine later. Maybe another hour had passed before the baby was able to stand. Its coat was the same dark bay as its mother’s but the forehead blaze came from its sire. He looked perfect.

  “Thank you, God!” she prayed.

  The sun had finally risen but the sky was leaden and still. She’d been unaware that the clouds had rolled in. But, not needing its light any longer, Mary blew out the lantern.

  Soon the foal was nuzzling at its mother and, as it flicked its tiny tail Mary could see it was a colt. Today was Christmas. She would name him Midnight Star.

  With mother and son nursing happily, exhaustion overwhelmed her. Stumbling over to a hay bale she curled atop it, promising herself she’d only nap for a few minutes. Her eyes drifted closed and soon she was deep in the arms of Morpheus.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN ― The Storm