The Fright Before Christmas

The Fright Before Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through her house

not a present was wrapped, who cared about the mouse

Panicking all alone, she had no chance of escape

The stores were all closed, and she’d run out of tape.

Stockings needed hanging; the tree needed trim

But without decent toys to wrap, Christmas seemed grim

A widowed mom with two children was certainly tragic

But somehow, someway, she needed to create Christmas magic.

With such little to go around, she made each item count

Everything her boys got was either free or on discount

So, she bought used books, a gift you can open everyday

Even if they raised their eyes, “Oh, but it is true,” she’d say.

The socks, gloves, and warm coats, were things they’d need

Wanting to give them the world, she had no budget for greed

She began to glue, yes glue, wrap, ribbon, tinsel and bow

And slowly but surely, a pile of presents started to grow.

She found herself humming tunes along with Bing Crosby singing

Picturing her late-parents, dancing as New Years’ came ringing

At three in the morning and sleepy after a spiked, eggnog drink

She settled in bed, said her prayers, and tried catching a wink.

Suddenly, from above came a loud clatter, such a familiar sound

She sprang from her bed to the window to have a look around

The streetlights and colorful bulbs illuminated the ground below

She had to be dreaming because if not, she didn’t want to know.

A stout red suited, white-bearded man stood on their lawn

This was not a dream – and it definitely was not yet dawn

Of course, it was a fake Santa, or a tipsy, lost hire

She went back to the window after stoking the fire.

And there he stood staring up at her; should he not go away

She’d call the police, as there were no reindeer, no sleigh

After grabbing her cellphone, she looked back at the lawn

But it was too late, the Santa imposter was mysteriously gone.

She descended the stairs, and at the bottom she turned

Santa Claus was not real, a fact she’d long since learned

It was a perfect set-up, a burglar as a Santa clone

Or worse, a serial killer; so, she readied her phone.

She needed to thwart this Christmas interloper

And raced back to the fireplace, grabbing the poker

It was the closest weapon she could get her hands on at the time

And she was desperate to prevent some horrible holiday crime.

Armed by her front door, to protect her boys she needed to be strong

Yet, as much as she hoped it was a dream, something was very wrong.

There was a noise behind her, and she tried so hard not to cry

But she knew the man dressed as Santa Claus, was already inside.

The boys being her very first thought, she made sure they were still asleep

Quietly, with the poker in hand, she made her way to the den for a peep

What she saw made her gasp, grip tighter on the poker and phone

All may have been exactly as she had left it; she was definitely not alone.

She caught the back of the imposter; maybe he hadn’t noticed she was there

Crouching down low, she then realized, the man didn't really seem to care

As she observed him cautiously and curiously from the far end of the room

A strange sense of trust and benevolence began to emerge from her doom.

He gently placed presents under their tree, more than her meager display

She prayed for her boys wishes, for what she hadn’t the money to pay

Speaking not a word, he hummed White Christmas, her curiosity full-blown

She was most certain at that point; her presence had always been known.

As he placed a final trinket, on a branch their fake Frazier fir,

She noticed there was no present labeled under the tree for her.

Santa helped himself to cookies; pocketed carrots the boys left on a tray,

She’d taken bites of the treats earlier, preserving the myth of the holiday.

Finally, she stepped out and demanded what this was about

There was no commotion, no need for a poker, or even a shout

He glanced over at her, cheeks rosy, his blue eyes twinkled like ice

And he spoke in a voice that was comforting, most hypnotic and nice.

“My dear, I am Santa Claus, the guy with all the toys

I’ve brought some special gifts for both you and your boys.”

She told him there was no Santa, but her spirits could use a lift

She said she noticed his sack was empty, so Santa where is my gift?

His smile broadened to laughter, then his round belly shook

She quizzically glanced around the tree to have another look

He eloquently told her he knew her wishes all along indeed

Then, he named several items, she agreed she surely did need.

“But, you see my dear, your true gifts cost less than a dime.

And though it may surprise you, they’ve been here the whole time

He walked her upstairs, after placing the poker back on the rack

Oddly, she knew he was harmless; this was not a Santa Claus attack.

They walked to the room where her boys slept soundly in their beds.

Their faces so innocent, while tomorrow morning danced in their heads.

When she looked down upon them, such pure love flowed from the two

She realized at that moment her real gifts did not need to be new.

After gently kissing their cheeks, she turned, but Santa was not in sight.

Racing to her bedroom window, she looked back out into the night

She wanted to thank him for everything, from both she and her boys

And reminding her that her love is enough, that's the greatest of all joys.

She gazed out as thick snowflakes began to fall; Santa off to foreign lands

But he’d gifted her the meaning of the season to behold in her very hands.

It would be a white Christmas, after all, they didn't need an elf on their shelf

They'd run straight outside in their pajamas; a gift from Mother nature herself.

Just one last tuck-in and kiss on their cheeks, then she gently closed their door

Glancing back at their tree once more, it seemed to twinkle brighter than before.

As she fell upon her pillows, she knew it was not what it had seemed

Still, it had been wonderful, even if it just something she'd dreamed.

Nearly asleep, something made her sit up, wide awake she

heard his voice from above.

A statement she will remember all the rest of her life

and forever equate with His love.

“Never stop dreaming, especially on Christmas eve,

and always remember; if you don’t believe, you don’t receive.”

May you recognize the true gifts of the holiday season,

even if they don’t come in packages.