Nick's Mysterious Gift

It was Christmas Eve and the snow was falling softly over our small Nebraska town, wrapping it in a white blanket. The streets were empty. All of the residents had retreated to their cozy homes to celebrate with family and friends. But for me, this Christmas was different. I sat alone in my little apartment, staring at the flickering lights of my miniature Christmas tree.

I had just moved to the Midwest after a long, drawn-out bitter divorce that left me close to broke and lonely. I had no one to share this special night with, and the thought of spending Christmas Eve alone was almost unbearable. Memories kept barging in of Christmases past when I was happily coupled. Like the one when my former husband gave me an engagement ring. And the one when we snuggled together under a heavy wool blanket on the tram at a Colorado ski lodge. 

I’ve never been a drinker, so I made myself a cup of hot chocolate with tiny marshmallows, hoping the warmth and aroma would cheer me up. Yet, I couldn't help but feel a pang of envy when I heard the laughter and cheerful voices coming from my neighbor's apartment across the hall. My heart sank and the tears began to flow. “Get a grip,” I told myself as I trotted off to the bathroom for a handful of tissues. 

That’s when I heard a knock on my door. Startled, I quickly wiped my tear-streaked face and opened it, only to find an elegantly wrapped gift on the doorstep. I picked it up and looked around, but there was no one in sight. With a shrug, I brought the mysterious gift inside and carefully unwrapped it. Inside I found a pearl white enamel box which contained a beautiful, leather-bound book titled "The Magic of Christmas."

Curious, I opened the book and began to read. The first page read, "This book holds the secret to a magical Christmas. Follow its instructions, and your life will change forever." Now I was intrigued, so I turned the page and read the first instruction: "Go to the gazebo in the the park at 9:00 tonight."

Normally, I would never think about doing something so crazy, but without hesitation, I put on my warmest coat and boots and ventured into the cold night. The park was deserted, except for an old man sitting on a bench. He didn’t look threatening, so I took a long, deep breath and approached him. He smiled and said, "Ah, you must be Valerie. I've been waiting for you."

"How do you know my name?" I asked, surprised. The old man chuckled and replied, "I know many things, my dear. I am the guardian of the book, and I am here to guide you on your journey." Before I could say a word, he handed me an intricately carved wooden box and said, "Your next instruction is to fill this box with the true spirit of Christmas. You have until sunrise to complete this task."

Mentally calculating the time between now and sunrise, I was determined to make it. So I set off on my quest. I wandered through the stillness of the empty streets, contemplating what he said about the true meaning of Christmas. As I passed by a homeless woman huddled in an alleyway, I realized that it wasn’t in material possessions, but in the love and kindness shared between people.

Thankful that it had stopped snowing, I hurried back to my apartment and filled the wooden box with the few dollars I had, rolled up a soft pink scarf, and tucked in a note that read, "May this gift bring you warmth and hope. Merry Christmas." I returned to the homeless woman and placed the box beside her, silently wishing her a better future.

As I walked away, I felt a warmth spread through my entire body, and I knew that I had found the true spirit of Christmas. I went back to the gazebo, where the old man smiled and said, "You have done well, Valerie. Now, for your final task, you must share your newfound joy with someone who needs it most."

I thought for a moment and then headed home. When I arrived, I heard voices still coming from my neighbor’s apartment, so I grabbed the plate of cookies I had baked earlier. I knocked on their door and a young man, no older than 16, opened it. "Hi, I'm Valerie from across the hall," I said, holding out the plate of cookies. "I know it’s late, but I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas." The young man smiled, told me his name was Robby, and invited me in to meet his family. Soon I found myself surrounded by the laughter and warmth of Robby, his mother and little sister. For the next hour we ate cookies, shared our stories, and they embraced me as one of their own.

When I woke up on Christmas morning, I instinctively knew I had to return to the gazebo. Sure enough, the old man was waiting for me. "You have completed your journey, Valerie," he said, smiling. "You have discovered the true magic of Christmas - the power of love and kindness. May you carry this magic with you always."

With those words, he stood up, tipped his Fedora, gave me a wink, and started walking away. I called out to him, “Wait! What’s your name?” He turned around with a grin and said, “Nick.” I felt a tingle on the top of my head and looked down at the book in my hands. Its pages were now blank. The magic had been released into the world, and I knew it it was up to me to keep it alive.

From that day on, I had no doubt that it was my mission to spread the magic of Christmas wherever I went. I started volunteering at the local shelter - something I’d never done before. I helped to organize fundraisers for those in need, and always made sure to share a smile and kindness with those around me. And every Christmas Eve, I would gather my friends and their families around me, and together we would celebrate the true spirit of Christmas.

For me, the mysterious gift had not only changed my life but had given me a new purpose. I learned that the greatest gift of all was not something that could be wrapped and placed under a tree.

And as I looked around at the smiling faces of friends who had now become loved ones, I remembered Nick’s last words that will forever live in my heart, “May you carry this magic with you always.”