Christmas Morning

It was Christmas Eve and snow was falling softly as Andy made his way up the steps to his house. Looking around he thought, why do I stay here? This old house is much too big for one person.

Sinking into his chair he began to pray. "Lord, Christmas used to be the happiest time of the year. Christmas morning was the best of all. I can..."

The sound of singing caught Andy's attention. Christmas carolers were coming up the steps to his house. He opened the door and smiled at the group which was really quite large. There were five adults and at least ten kids. He extended his hand with a smile. "I'm Andy."

"I'm Bill and this is Michelle, my wife."

Are you a church group?"

One of the little boys blurted out, "We're homeless! We been livin'..."

Bill put his hand over the little boy's mouth with a laugh. "We're staying at the mission. Our homes were destroyed in the flood last week." Bill sent the group on ahead, turned back to Andy and said, "I'm really sorry..."

"Don't be sorry. We've got about five hours of daylight left so here's what we're going to do..."

Andy turned down the covers and stretched out on his bed. "Lord," he said, Did you send these people to me? They're all tucked away nice and warm in the bedrooms. Goodnight, Lord..."

"Andy?" Bill whispered. "It's four in the morning. You wanted to help with the toys?"

"Yeah," he said, fumbling for his slippers. "I'm right behind you."

Andy stopped at the top of the stairs. For the first time in years a large Christmas tree stood in the living room blinking happily amid gaily wrapped gifts with colorful ribbons and bows. Bill sat on the floor taking toy parts out of a large box.

"I'll take care of the other one," Andy said, coming quickly down the stairs. Bill's wife came groggily down behind him. "Couldn't sleep, Michelle?"

"It's Christmas morning and I need to get breakfast started before the kids come down here and start eating all that candy you bought yesterday, not to mention all that other food. It must've cost you a fortune."

"Now, now," Andy said with a blush. "We agreed not to talk about that."

Before long Michelle came back carrying a tray holding two cups of coffee. "I would've had it ready sooner but I wanted to get that humongous turkey you bought yesterday into the oven."

"Thanks," Andy said, reaching for a cup. You're just in time. We're all finished."

Michelle nodded towards the top of the stairs. "You better move or you could get trampled."

"Whoa!" Bill shouted, holding his cup in the air as the children scrambled all around him.

Andy moved to his chair and sipped his coffee, taking it all in. Bubbling giggles and hearty laughter filled the room as the kids pulled down the stockings that Andy had stuffed and hung for them the night before. Closing his eyes he whispered, "Thank you, Lord for this day in which we celebrate your birth. Thank you for allowing me the pleasure of sharing what you have so generously given me. Had you not led them to me they would have spent Christmas morning in a homeless shelter and I would have spent the morning alone. I just..."

Andy realized the laughter had stopped and his eyes flew open wide. All the kids were on their knees with hands folded. He smiled, picked up the Bible and began reading the Christmas story from Luke.

The smell of bacon drifted into the room as Michelle and Bill went to the kitchen. Before long, Bill returned with a huge tray loaded down with cups of hot chocolate and a big bowl of mini marshmallows. The smell of citrus filled the air as one of the kids began peeling an orange she got in her stocking.

Andy savored the moment knowing that this was a Christmas morning he would never forget.