A Christmas Short – Part 3/4

Christmas is almost here! Who’s excited? I definitely am! Today’s part is a little shorter, considering all the last minute holiday things which need to be done, but let me know in the comments how you all like it! Thanks for reading! ~ Kay Adelin

Part 3

Dell and Robert jumped from their seats as the door flew open, and Charlie stood in the doorway, snow swirling around him, dragging a small tree behind him. “Merry Christmas Eve, Dell, Robert! I’ve brought the Christmas tree!”

Dell and even Robert squealed, helping him drag the tree in. They got it standing in the corner, and Dell clapped his hands. “I’m taller than the Christmas tree this year! See, Charwie!”

Charlie nodded as he dusted the snow off his shoulders and hat before placing them on the coat hanger and tossing his shoes in the corner again. “My feet are freezing.” He plopped in front of the fire as Robert took a basket from beneath the table.

“I picked some holly leaves and berries earlier, Dell, and Shane gave us some apples. We can use these to decorate it with!”

Dell beamed before pulling out three wooden ornaments from under his bed. “And I made these for the tree!”

Charlie and Robert’s eyes went wide, and Charlie grabbed one of them, holding it up to the firelight. “You made these? Dell, these are incredible!”

“No kidding! When did you start carving?” Robert took one as well, spinning it around by its string.

“Last year. The first few I made weren’t very good, and I broke a few more, but these were okay!”

“Regardless, these need a special place of honor on the tree.” Charlie placed his front and center on it, as did Robert, and Dell beamed as he fastened his onto it as well.

“Now, you two decorate the tree while I prepare dinner–and Robert, save me a couple of those apples; we can eat them.”

“I know, I know. And we can eat some more tomorrow and the next day too, right off the tree!”

By the time they finished decorating the tree, Charlie had bread and cheese sandwiches and sliced apples prepared for them. As they sat to eat, Dell turned to Charlie. “Will you tell us a Christmas story?”

“A Christmas story?” Charlie wrinkled his brow. “I don’t know if I know any.”

“Shane told me one a couple of days ago,” Robert said, crunching on an apple. “He said it was the original Christmas story.”

“Hey Robert. Thought it wasn’t good manners to talk with your mouth full of food.” Charlie laughed as he ruffled his hair, and Robert shoved his hand away.

“Yeah, yeah, I forgot. Anyway, I’ll try to tell the story like Shane did.” He took another bite of his apple. “A long time ago, an angel came to this girl named Mary, and said she was going to have a baby. Her betrothed, a guy called Joseph, was also told about this, and so when the king of their country made them all return to their hometowns for a census, he took Mary with him.

“When they got to his hometown, however, it was super packed. Nobody could get a room at the inn. But someone felt bad for Mary, because she was going to have a baby, and let her and Joseph stay in a stable with the animals. Later, she gave birth to the baby–named Jesus–and angels told some shepherds nearby about Him.”

Dell leaned forward, his eyes wide, though he noticed Charlie roll his eyes. “Sounds like a story Shane would tell.”

“But that’s not all!” Robert stood, his eyes shining. “Shane said these three wise men followed a star right to where the Baby Jesus was, and they brought Him gifts!”

Dell nodded. “Like what we do on Christmas!”

“Right! Shane said the reason we celebrate Christmas is because God sacrificed to give us His precious Son to save the world from sin so we can go to heaven when we die. So, like God did, we sacrifice some money and time to give each other gifts!”

Dell’s eyes widened. Like what I did with my figurines? I sacrificed them to get Robert and Charlie gifts! Did God do that too?

“Right, we could’ve just gone to chapel and the priest would’ve told you the exact same boring story.” Charlie leaned back on his stool, shrugging. “I’ve heard it lots of times.”

Robert puckered his lips. “Well, I liked the story! And Shane says it really happened!”

“Look, I’m not debating whether it happened. I’m just saying the only reason I give you gifts at Christmas is because I love you two, not because of some story.”

Dell smiled, glancing upward, as if to smile at God. “But maybe that’s why God gave us His gift, too. Because He loves us.”