by
Karen Tomayer
As she looks around the empty room she sighs and tears again run free for no tree, no gifts or special treats await to bring giggles of laughter to the children. Still, as she remembers the little chicken given her by a dear friend, a smile lights her eyes and she sends a prayer of gratitude to God for sending her an earthly angel who helps when she can.
Their day will not be filled with toys, sugar candy, gumdrops and minty candy canes that paint the lips red as they are sucked with giggles of delight by children. But there will be laughter and song within this tiny place where they have labored together as a family to fill it with love and compassion for each other. She knows that the children will not show their disappointment for they understand how hard she works to provide for them and just knowing that brings fresh tears.
She looks out the window and gasps with pleasure as she watches the big flakes of snow fall gently to the ground bringing to her memory of Christmases of her own childhood.
Her mother always prayed for snow on Christmas Eve saying it was magic snow and brought with it the magic of Christmas Eve when miracles would happen to all those who believed.
A longing sigh escapes her as she feels the still strong belief in the magic of Christmas Eve snow flow through her leaving behind a feeling of peace and contentment.
'Yes', she smiles to herself thinking, 'We may not have a tree and all the decorations but we have something that is priceless and brings the greatest cheer this Christmas. For this Christmas we have each other all together with not one sick.' That thought alone keeps a smile on her face as she finally lays down to rest.
Silence fill the small apartment with the only sound being the steady breathing of three little ones snuggled together with their mother in the double bed.
The snow silently falls in the darkness of the night but somehow it has changed. Full moonlight seems to turn each flake into perfect crystals that sparkle like diamonds as they fall. And if one listens very closely they could hear tiny bells moving through the air as if fairy wings were playing the sweetest music that can only be heard by ears tha have been opened to the sounds of the spirit.
As the bells grow quiet there is the faintest sound as a window is raised by tiny hands and then one would see, if their eyes were open to this world, several giggling forms slide quickly into the room bringing with them just a little puff of cold snowflake laden air.
The tiny men are all dressed in green fur jackets with matching peaked hats and green pants with black boots that curl up at the toes and reach to their knees. The ladies tried to outdo the men by dressing in bright red dressed that are lined at the throat and hemmed with white fur. They are also wearing peaked hats and the same boots as the men. If we were able to see them we wouldn't be able to hold back the laughter that would bubble up at the sight of these tiny men and women filled with pure joy at what they are here to do.
The set right to work with as much silence as they can but still you notice that there is the sound of tiny bells throughout the room. You can't help but notice that their faces reflect such glee that their pointed ears twitch with excitement.
There are about two dozen elves scattered throughout the room and each has a small sack tied to their belt that sparkles with each move they make as they dance around. They quickly organize into groups and go straight to work on all areas of the bare room. Each one scurries off, with squeals of delight, to complete the assignment given them.
The ladies head for the kitchen area, shaking their heads and exchanging looks of sadness when they see how bare everything is. At one their faces light with joy as each one reaches for her pouch tossing a handful of sparkling dust that transforms the small, bare kitchen into one of beauty.
The cupboard doors fly open and begin to magically fill with foods of every kind. Can of all manner of food to nourish and delight those who live in this house. The cupboards fill to overflowing with all the things needed to feed this family for many months to come.
The fridge door opens to reveal the small chicken waiting to be cooked on tomorrow. In a twinkling of an eye it is transformed into a large stuffed turkey that will provide many days of tasty delight. The fridge quickly filled with fruit, vegetables, juices, milk, cheese and everything else that will keep them healthy and strong. The freezer fills to overflowing with roasts, hams and as many kinds as will fill the small space. The ladies see that the tiny freezer space won't be enough so in a space beside the fridge a small freezer appears filled with enough food to last through the winter.
The counters are quickly filled with all kinds of sweet breads, Christmas cookies in a special cookie jar, chocolates in decorative boxes just waiting to be opened, and pastries of such a variety that this family has never seen before. Sweet buns and fresh bread are waiting to make their Christmas dinner complete.
With another sprinkle of magic dust the old table is replaced with a new matching table and chair set. The table is covered with a beautiful table cloth decorated along the edges with holly and Christmas elves. The Table is set with plates and cutlery hand painted with angels around the edge of the plates. There is a beautiful poinsettia as a centerpiece for the crowning touch.
The ladies gather round to inspect their handy work and make sure nothing is missing. With a furry of excitement they make a sparkling punch in a crystal punch jug and lovingly put it in the fridge to accompany the festive meal. Then they turn to survey the men's handywork and nod their heads with delighted approval.
Delight shines in their eyes as they gaze upon the beautifully decorated tree standing in the center of the room with gifts pilled high under it.
Garland is hanging beautifully around the room with silver bells, stars, snowflakes, wreaths, and all manner of Christmas decorations sparkling and twinkling on walls, ceilings and doorways giving the room a festive, merry look.
All smiled with delight at the four stockings stuffed and hanging from a fake fireplace that will provide electric heat that will fill the whole apartment with cherry warmth.
Looking at each other they all pull tiny handfulls of glittering dust from their pouches and throw it toward the fireplace. This is the final touch for this little family who had not thought to enjoy the more sweet and delightful parts of a Christmas where want and need could be put aside for a little time.
Upon the mantle appears a beautiful nativity that stands out from all the other decorations dwarfing them by its simple beauty. Beside it is a magic music player waiting for the touch of magic that will make is sing forth with the song of 'Mary's Boy Child, Jesus Christ' to call all awake.
As the first strains of music are heard the little elves slip out the window as quietly as they came. But they don't go too far because they want to see the faces of the little ones as they gaze upon the magic before them.
In The bedroom the children, hearing the music scramble from their beds to open the door on such a wonder that they are struck speechless for they have never seen anything like this before and rub at their eyes to make sure they are not still dreaming. Jumping up and down with glee they race into the room trying hard to take it all in at once.
Not yet awake but responding to the joyous voices of her children their mother drags herself from her bed to stand in stunned silence in the doorway open onto the most amazing site filled with things only her dreams can form.
As her children jump up and down pulling her into the room she finall focuses on the fact they are say that Santa finally found them this year. She moves into a room she no longer recognizes as her own, for it is filled with Christmas cheer and the sweet sounds of a familiar song that touches the heart deeply.
As the children dance around the room exclaiming over all the wonderful things she turns to the window to see that Christmas snow is still falling and believes fully that there is truly magic in the old tale her mother used to tell.
If she had looked a little closer she would have seen two dozen tiny faces gazing with total delight on the scene of happy children watched over by a loving mother whose eyes filled with tears as her children begged her to say a pray of thanks to Jesus for showing Santa the way.
Gazing at the beautiful nativity she gives thanks also for the Magic of Christmas Snow.
