A Christmas Escape

The stench of sweat, urine and feces hit the family full force as they entered the abandoned ramshackle cabin. The roof covered only about one-third of what was left of the rotting wooden structure. Still, it was more than shelter than the Millers had experienced in nearly a year.

A different place every day and a different town every week. That was the life the five people had learned to accept. It was that or the constant threat of death. After all, they were criminals. They believed in God.

As Jane, bundled her children together in the only blanket they had left, John built a fire in the crumbling fireplace. It was a dangerous luxury in which to indulge. However, it was one he felt his children needed on this special day. It was Christmas.

John had been lucky enough to catch a rabbit for dinner. As he skinned and prepared it for his wife to cook, she sang songs with Jason, Jeremy and Jacqueline.

"Mommy, does anybody celebrate Christmas anymore?" The question came from Jackie, age six.

Her mother brushed blonde curls from her eyes and gazed into the pool of emeralds that brought her so much joy.

"No, baby, it's against the law," she said sadly. "But there may be others like us, still fighting to keep Him alive in their hearts too."

"It's a stupid lot," spat out Jason; the oldest at age 10. "Who do they think they are to tell people what they can believe?" The dark-haired, dark-eyed lad reached over to put his arm around his little sister. He was her protector in all thing.

"They don't He's real. They're stupid!" This came from Jeremy, age 8. The little boy pushed his glasses up on his nose like he did a million times a day. "Logic would prove them wrong if they bothered to listen to it," he stated with as much emphasis as he could muster.

"Of course He's real," noted Jackie. "I feel Him in my heart," insisted Jackie. "He makes sure I'm not scared, even when the mean people chase us."

"I know, baby. I feel him too." Her mother rubbed her daughter's tummy, a sign of affection she'd adopted when the children were small.

"Enough deep talk for tonight," interjected John. It's time for mom to cook that rabbit and for you and I do work on your school work."

"I don't understand why we have to study," complained Jason. "We can't go to school anyway."

"Hopefully, that will change someday," explained his father. "We just have to be patient."

"And survive the death squads," Jason spit out. "You know there's not much chance of that."

"We've made it this far, Jace, encouraged his father. "We'll make it with the grace of God. Now let's study."

For the next hour, dad and children went over math equations, talked about history and discussed current events. But it was hard to concentrate with the sweet smell of rabbit permeating the air around them.

"Dinner's ready," chirped Jane. "Everyone wipe your hands and we'll say grace. Jackie, it's your turn."

The children passed around a damp cloth provided by their mother and then joined hands for prayer. Tiny Jackie bowed her head with purpose.

"Baby Jesus, we first want to wish you a happy birthday. We don't have a cake to help you celebrate but we hope you know that we love you," she stated with serious contemplation.

"I know it's not right to ask for a present on your birthday, Jesus, but I have one wish for Christmas. Please keep my family safe and together so we can worship you like always. Amen!"

Jane's eyes misted over at her daughter's Christmas wish. She was, after all, a child who should be playing with friends and jumping rope in the sunshine; not hiding in filth and squalor. Although she didn't want the thoughts to come, they did involuntarily. For the briefest moment, Jane wished her enemies dead. That included all the Christian haters who refused to tolerate simple faith. Luckily, the thought passed quickly and Jane whispered a quick prayer asking for forgiveness for her vile thoughts.

The close-knit family lingered over the meal. They savored every bite as they made up imaginary presents to give one another that Christmas night.

"Daddy, you should have a new suit. No offense, but those jeans are looking awful," laughed Jackie. "And mommy should have a red party dress, like the one she wore last Christmas." The picture formed vividly in the little girl's mind and her face lit up with the memory.

"For Jason, a computer or one of those new tablet things. For Jeremy, a bike, 'cause I know you wanted one."

"What about your gifts, Jeremy?" asked Jane. "What would you give Jackie?"

"One of those fancy dolls with all the curls like hers," he offered. "And for Jason, an iPod. Everyone his age has one these days." Looking seriously toward his father, he said in a low voice. "I'd find a new church congregation for dad. I know he misses preaching," he said in a whisper. "And for you, mom, I'd buy a stove. Your cooking is the best in the world and I've love to eat more of it."

The whole family laughed at that. For just that moment in time, they didn't have a care in the world.

"Mom should have a trip to one of those fancy spas," offered Jason. "You deserve to be pampered just once," he emphasized looking at his mother lovingly. "For dad, a new car. One of those fancy ones with all the gears and stuff."

Looking proudly at his two younger siblings, he noted, "for Jeremy, a fancy scooter so he could play like boys his age should. For Jacqueline, a giant dollhouses with lots of dolls she could play with."

"Those are all fine gifts," said John. "The thought put into them is priceless.

"What would you get mommy?" asked Jackie. "If you could get her anything?"

"I'd give her a big wedding," John whispered. "Instead of the quiet service we had when we got married. "I'd want the world to know how lucky a man I am."

"Oh, John!" Jane whimpered as she flew into his arms. "I'd do the same thing, because I'm the lucky one," she cried.

"God bless us all!" let out Jacqueline. "Merry Christmas to everyone!" With that she proceeded to hug each member of her family before crawling back under the blanket and closing her eyes to sleep.

As the children nodded off, John and Jane held hands and cuddled together. "We're lucky, you know," John said to his already nodding wife. "We have one another. That's so much more than most people."

Before long, the whole family had nodded off. The warm fire kept them cozy despite the chilly wind.

As they slept, a light appeared in, the corner of the room. It shimmered with intensity before crystallizing into a white robed figure. A man with brown hair, a beard and mustache stepped forward to gently touch each figure as it slept.

Jackie smiled as if she knew what was happening. Jeremy's body released the tension it had carried for the last 10 months. The scowl disappeared from Jason's normally serious face. A look of peace overtook each family member.

"Blessed are the true believers," whispered the figure before it faded away. "For they will see the face of God!"

The next morning, death squad 2417 closed in on the location where the Miller family had been spotted. They waited until first dawn to sneak toward the tiny cabin. John Miller, public enemy number 77, would face an immediate firing squadron. His wife would be remanded to the breeding camps. The children would be sold into slavery. Every attempt would be made to rehabilitate them before they were executed as believers as well.

"Move forward," shouted the captain, motioning his men forward. It took them only seconds to enter the cabin. What they saw there, however, stopped them in their tracks.

Five sets of clothing lay strewn about the room. Three sets belonged to children; two boys and a girl. Those were huddled together underneath a blanket. A set of men's and women's clothing lay next to each other across from that of the kids. There were, however, no sign of the Millers. They'd escaped capture yet again.