A Christmas Story

On the eve of Christmas a warm upheaval reigns in every home in the world.

The festive feeling and the joy of being reunited with family brings to mind a story that I love to tell every year. It is a true story, even if it seems incredible. And it testifies that miracles can happen.

A long time ago, a group of young people decided to share some of the joy of Christmas. They had learned of the existence of several children who were spending the holiday at the nearest community hospital. So one of them dressed up as Santa Claus, then they bought several gifts, wrapped them up and, armed with their guitars and sweet voices, showed up by surprise at the hospital on Christmas Eve.

The children joyfully celebrated the visit of Santa Claus; When the group of friends finished distributing gifts and singing their Christmas carols, all eyes were filled with tears. From then on, the young people decided that they would play the role of Santa Claus every year.

On the following Christmas Eve, they included hospitalized women in their visit, and by the third year the invitation was extended to some poor children in the neighborhood.

On the fourth Christmas Eve, however, after making the usual round, Santa Claus checked his sack and discovered that he had some toys left over. So the friends got together to deliberate and decide what to do with them. Someone mentioned the existence of a miserable hamlet precariously installed in the vicinity, where some terribly poor families lived.

Therefore, the group decided to head there, thinking that the number of families would reach three at most. But when they climbed the slope of the hill, and found themselves in the middle of the desolate expanse - it was already close to midnight - the dismayed group could see large numbers of people lined up on both sides of the street.

It was about children; more than thirty expectant children. Behind them were no huts, but row upon row of dilapidated ramshackle facilities. When they stopped the car they were in, the children came running up, screaming with glee. It was evident that they had been patiently waiting all night for Santa Claus to arrive. Someone - no one could remember who - had told them that he would arrive, although our Father Christmas had decided to do so only a few minutes before.

Everyone was taken aback, except for Santa Claus himself. He was simply overcome with panic. He knew he didn't have enough toys for so many children. Finally, without wanting to disappoint them, he decided to give the few toys he had to the little ones. When they were finished, he would explain what happened to the older ones.

So he soon found himself on the hood of a vehicle, with thirty dazzlingly groomed children in their best clothes, lined up from youngest to oldest, waiting their turn. As each anxious child approached, Father Christmas rummaged in his sack with a heart heavy with fear, yearning to find at least one more toy to deliver. And, by some miracle, he found one every time he reached into the bag. Finally, each child received their toy. Santa Claus looked inside his sack, now deflated. It was empty, as empty as twenty-four children should have been before. It was a miracle. Lord really wanted to help him

Filled with relief, he blurted out a jovial "Ho ho!" and said goodbye to the children. But when he was about to get in the car (apparently the reindeer had the day off), he heard one of the children exclaim:

"Santa Claus, Santa Claus, wait!"

Behind the bushes, two small children appeared, a boy and a girl. They had been sleeping.

Santa's heart skipped a beat. This time he was sure he had no more toys. The sack was empty. He was terrified. He didn't want to break the heart of the little souls . He put his hand in the sack wishing for another miracle to happen and started praying silently to Jesus and reached out inside his bag. He was disappointed and as he raised his face to confront the little kids . He was surprised to see the kids not in front of him. He looked around curiously to find the little boy and girl merrily bouncing on streets with little gifts in their hand. His heart was filled with warmth seeing the joy and ecstasy on the face of the children. But in the back of his mind he wondered "How did this happen ? "

Nevertheless he had a heart singing with joy but as he turned to go back he saw a little family of three standing and watching the kids happily jumping with an expression of love on their face. He reached out to them and asked the little girl "Dear child, was it you who shared your presents with them ? Why did you do it ?", the girl with a broad smile responded "Yes it was me and I did it because i want everyone to experience the joy of opening a packet of gifts. You see , I l was always shouting at my parents for not giving me the gift that I wanted. Today I was so unhappy that I planned to leave the house and go away but when i stepped out and saw the little kids sleeping on the cold floor behind the bushes,I realised how lucky I am to have the warmth and basic necessities during this harsh weather. I thought that true meaning of Christmas is not getting gifts but sharing gifts and love and warmth with everyone." santa was beaming with joy. He was surprised to see such affection from a little child . He blessed the girl and went hopping to his home. 

The group of friends, who are now adults, still comment on the miracle of that Christmas morning and how the moment the miracle refused to happen and the little girl was a blessing sent by God. They still do not find an explanation; they can only say that it really happened. How do I know about the story? Good; I was the Santa Claus