One Christmas Eve Night! \ A long, long time ago, back when only wood and coal warmed the homes, and horses took you where you needed to go...in a little village there lived a mysterious man. He lived in a little cottage all alone, on the edge of this village, and his name was Vincent. The curious thing about him, was that he had the features of a lion, and everyone called him "TheLion man". It wasn't until he had performed a very brave deed of saving 22 trapped coal miners, several years ago, that the villagers, in their own way, began to accept him, and they did...from that day on. There were still some of the viallagers however, who because of their own ignorance, were frightened by him, and kept their distance. However, they were few, and everyone else greeted him kindly. Vincent was respectful of these frightened people, and he understood their caution. So because of his compassion, and wisdom in the ways of human nature, he did not try to push himself on those who did not understand. But the children in their wise innocence understood, and they loved this very kind, brave gentle man, and he loved them. Then one day a beautiful stranger arrived. She came to make her home in this quaint little Village. Her family had all died of an epidemic, and she wanted to make a new life, away from all of the old painful memories. Once settled into the intimate community, She heard about the brave "Lion Man", and her heart went out to him, even though she did not know him. She, being all alone on this Blessed Holiday, went to visit him, with a freshly bake Apple pie. It was still warm from her oven as she approached his cottage. Vincent reading by the fire, was alarmed at the knocking on his door! He stood and walked to the window, and as he peered out... he saw that it was the beautiful new villager, he had admired from afar. He pulled up the hood on his cloak, and covered his face so he did not frighten her when he answered the door. As Vincent opened the door, the lady gasped at the beautiful blue of his eyes! Vincent quickly turned away thinking he had repulsed her. She softly said, "Do not turn away. You do not frighten me. I have heard about you, and your kindness, and of all the good that you have done. I know that you look different, but that does not concern me. I can tell by the warmness in your eyes, you have a good heart." She then looked downward at the steaming pie in her hands, and said, "I have heard you lived all alone here with no family. I too am alone, and I hoped to share this pie with you." As Vincent turned back, and with the hood of his cloak still tightly drawn around his face, he then asked, "You do not fear a man who looks as different as I do?" The lady smiled and teasingly said, "I don't know fully, as I have not yet seen all of your face." Vincent hesitantly lowered his hood, and stood waiting for a reaction from this beautiful stranger. She softly gasped again, and said, "The color of your eyes... took my breath away as you opened the door... but I had no idea that the rest of your features would be just as striking." As love filled her heart for this stranger, she then said, "Now I can tell you...no, I am not fearful of you." Vincent forgetting himself, suddenly noticed she was shivering, and invited her inside. As she nodded yes to his invitation, she set the pie down on his table, and looked around at his enchanted little cottage. He had numerous candles burning all around this warmly decorated home, with tea steeping on his iron stove. She then turned to him, and said, "Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Catherine." He repeated her name in his huskily velvet tone, and softly said, "Catherine..." He felt his heart pound as he looked down at her, and he could feel the goodness of her soul, and it was then he knew he had fallen in love with Catherine. She held out her hand to shake his, and as they touched they felt a magic connection, that brought them both pause. Vincent then introduced himself and said, "I am most honored to meet you Catherine, I am Vincent." Catherine shyly smiled and said, 'And I am pleased to meet you Vincent." He then charmingly tipped his head, and softly told her, " "You are most kind to want to share this Holiest of Holidays with me Catherine." She shyly lowered her eyes, as she felt her heart pounding being in this man's presence. She then said, "I cannot explain why I felt the need to visit you this night Vincent...I was lonely, and I thought you may be too." Catherine then thoughtfully added, "However now that I met you, I think I was led here for some other reason, another purpose perhaps." Vincent stared off, as he felt these same feelings as well, dreamily he then softly said, "Providence..." Catherine softly repeated in a questioning tone, "Providence?" Vincent nodded and looking down into her eyes he said, "Providence means what is meant to be...." Gallantly he took Catherine's coat from her, and welcomed her to share the fire with him. So they then enjoyed some hot tea, and Catherine's dessert by the warmth of the fire. They felt comfortable with one another, and they spent the evening discussing great literature and works of art, and all the while they were mesmerized by the other and recognized the beauty in each other's hearts. They too spoke of the miracle of the Christ's child's birth on that first Christmas Eve and all of wondrous things Jesus' life represents. To love and honor all people, and treat them as you wish to be treated...and to remember not to judge them. On this Christmas Eve another miracle occurred... these two lost souls found their way to each other, and in that quaint little enchanted village, they lived happily ever after. |
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