A Christmas Story

The last rays of the dying sun lazily splashed across the blanket of powder snow that was so softly strewn across the front of the small house, giving the white snow an eerie orange glow. It was the day telling us that it's time had ended for now, thus giving night its chance to come out and amaze us. And a special day it was to be, as all sorts of hustle and bustle went inside the small house that very evening.

The house was a fairly simple house, built from simple wood and nails. Large plain logs made up the small house's four walls. Its simple snow-covered roof, too made from logs,  produced a single stout chimney that billowed puffy clouds of warm smoke. Its  front door, painted in a coat of bright beautiful red, bore a single wreath of holly with a red ribbon tied to it. As the sun set and the moon took over, a brilliant yellow light suddenly went on in the house and radiated through the windows. 

Inside the house, a small boy with rosy cheeks and brilliant deep blue eyes quietly sat himself down at the wooden dining table. His name was Emmett. Though he was young, he had a serious face, hidden behind a mop of thick black hair that hung over his forehead, contrasting his porcelain white skin. 

Hmm. I'm stuck. But its supposed to end like this...

But as Emmett rushed downstairs, a sudden change rushed over him. A wave of excitement and sheer euphoria suddenly surged throughout his body, electrifying every single nerve in him. It was an amazing feeling. He suddenly felt like he was flying, weightless just like air. Splashes of white, green and red danced before his eyes. Mistletoe, wreaths of holly, presents, angels, snowmen, reindeer, all floated before him in the surreal world Emmett  had suddenly entered. It was as if he had been suddenly hit by the Spirit of Christmas.

All of a sudden, it all melted away before Emmet's eyes and in front of him stood his family. Father, Mother and (sister's name) all smiling right at him eyes alight with passion. And behind them, a single bare enormous pine tree. If trees could look beautiful, this pine tree; this Christmas tree, would be its very epitome. Emmett walked toward the tree in wonder, marvelling its size and its very presence. He then turned around and came face to face with my family.

Wordlessly, Father smiled and held out his hand towards Emmett while gazing at him with soft brown eyes. Several creases smiled around them, subtly hinting signs of old age. In his hand was a single shiny red bauble that glistened beautifully in the glowing light. It looked like a single diamond in a sea of red. He looked again at Emmet, his kind eyes locking onto Emmet's deep blue ones.

Emmett then knew at once what Father wanted him to do.

Emmett gingerly grasped the bauble from Father’s hand and held it in his own. The beautiful round ornament rested gently on his palm. It felt very fragile and was cool to touch. Yet, at the same time it felt strong and warm in his hands. Clasping the bauble close to his chest, Emmett slowly walked towards the towering tree. The tree itself was magnificent, surely rivaled by none. It had beautiful large feathery green leaves and handsome timber to match.

As he stopped in front of the mammoth pine tree, Emmet gazed into the tiny ball’s beautiful red surface and smiled for the first time since he arrived at his new home.

Four happy faces smiled back at him.

Faces of pure joy. Faces of peace. Faces of a family. Faces of the true meaning of Christmas.

Emmet smiled to himself and hung the first ornament of Christmas.