Christmas and the Greatest Gift of All

Secretly it wraps itself in shredded paper, making a soft bed in which to lay. The bed is constructed within a box, not over large, about the size of a milk crate. The box itself is covered in paper, shiny and pleasant to the eye. This kind of home for gifts, many have seen many times as the years have gone by. But how many of these boxes, with gift inside, wrap themselves? And what is it within that is concerned with comfort where it lays? As if by magic, the wrapped box lifts itself into the air, in search for its intended destination.

The night sky is dark, pregnant with snowy clouds that race along with the wind. The moon is but a faintly glowing lamp that illuminates the clouds as they pass her by. There are funny shapes that form in that glow; Reindeer, sleds, jolly peoples, pine trees, snowmen... and so on. It is nothing short of magical. If one had eyes that could see eagle sharp, and looked at exactly the right moment, one would of seen a small, brightly wrapped box pass by that glow. Flying without wings, that very special gift soared. But none with eyes so sharp looked. Where from and what is that gift that could do such a thing?

The nights, when it snows, are always shushed and quiet. Sound lies buried along with the cars and sidewalks and roads. Inside warm houses, alight with brightly colored bubbles of light, people lounge and share their company with smiles and maybe an eggnog or two. In almost every house there is a tree of sorts, usually an evergreen, but not always. Beneath these trees, there lies many wrapped boxes and colorful bags. Gifts made, gifts bought, gifts given to make others smile. Overhead, high above these houses that hold merry peoples, the flying box continues its flight. But where to? Not to these houses. No, they are not where this gift wants to go. These houses have much christmas in them already. This gift flies somewhere else. Where to, we wonder, where to?

Every year ends after Christmas, only to begin it’s countdown towards the next years end. So many approach the time of giving in so many ways. Thoughts for others reach their highest heights and are transformed into acts of kindness beyond the daily norm. Not all practice christmas the same way, and some don’t practice it at all. Yet that kindness still holds the hands of everyone all the same. Who is more kind, and more giving then old Saint Nick? Maybe you might call him Baba Chaghaloo in you are Afghanistan; Or perhaps Julemanden if you are in Denmark; Or maybe Kanakaloka if in Hawaii. Pai Natal, if you are Portuguese, is known the world over by almost everyone. Father Christmas is, as Father Christmas does. The spirit of he who is the icon of giving for all, is a spirit made from those greatest spots in all our hearts. But who gives Christmas back to Father Christmas?

The gift that sores through the frigid skies leaves the world of houses and people. It’s destination is away from them. Upward it climbs, above the clouds with their bellies full of snow. The night skies there are afire with the lights from the northern pole blazing strong. Beauty switches her face and wears one that shows of that place where clear and sharp star-filled sky meets the Auroras. It is breath taking. Onward the gift flies, into the light, more specifically, into the light that is red and white. It is there, that is where the spirit of giving is collected. That is where Father Christmas shines his love of us, of giving to all.

The gift, shrouded now with the lights of Father Christmas, begins to spin and dance. An energy starts to swirl around that joy filled jig. A laughter, deep and merry erupts from the swirling, and there, it is easy to see, a fat man in a red suit and a beard white and curly, holds the sides of his belly while he laughs and laughs. With that laugh, the stars begin to twinkle. All around the world, people stop what they’re doing, and begin to smile and hug one another. Such is the power of Father Christmas. “A gift for me?” Exclaims he with glee. “How thoughtful and nice.” With a smile as big as bear, Old Saint Nick held out his arms, the gift flying eagerly to he. The bow magically untied itself as Santa watched with such glee. The north winds begin to sing, sounding like a symphony of angels singing proud. The lid pops off and glorious be... that which had wrapped itself, finally free. A fledgling made from the dust of time, mixed with the spirit of peoples everywhere, with a dash of kind love and a smidgen of Grace form God above, the child new year is delivered to Old Saint Nicholas. Young arms hug Santa tight, and Santa gentle hugs the new year in return. “Ah me”, says Santa, “The greatest gift of all. The gift of life for another year.” In a few days time, amidst the ringing of champagne glasses, the new year shall be held high by Father Christmas, and it shall shine bright in the north sky. And there the new year will stay, shining bright for the next year to come. What greater gift for that Old Saint, then a gift for him, to give to all?

Each year this gift finds he. Sent by the magic that can only come from one place. And that place isn’t far, not really. That place begins with you and me, and travels through everyone, and ends with you and me. That place is in the heart of the heart of our souls. That place is where the love of love is birthed and grown. Twelve months it takes to mature. Then it is ready, ready to begin it’s trek to Father Christmas during the greatest time of giving. Each new year is a gift from us all. The caring and the love of our planet and all that dwells upon her. Every man, woman, and child. Every plant and animal and stone and drop of water. A whole year of life and love and opportunity. It comes from us and is given back to us. Know it. Appreciate it. And love it. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

I like to write things down. What more can be said. The stories speak for themselves, or so I think. Ultimately, I am only a road of thought. It is the vehicles of story that deserve the greatest attention...and the passengers they carry.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/writing-articles/christmas-and-the-greatest-gift-of-all-1567123.html