• It was a cold, dark Christmas eve. A slight flurry fluttered by the frosted window. A mother and father placed colorful and shiny presents delicately under a tree, smiling at the images of grinning children floating through their minds. They glanced at each other, and a warm feeling was shared. The happiness of their children delighted them. They were like giddy two year olds, anticipating the break of morn. They nibbled on cookies and sipped their milk that their children had so excitedly made. The tree cast a warm glow, adding a warm, safe touch to the night.
    Young children tucked in their warm beds, dreams of dolls and trucks flashing through their heads. Though there was one child, a restless little girl, who was wide awake as can be. She heard the rustling of wrapped presents, and muffled voices down below.
    "Santa?" She whispered in awe.
    She slipped silently out of bed, sneaking to the top if the stairs. She peered down below, seeing that the cookies she and her siblings had made were eaten, as well as the milk they had set up. There were little piles of presents under the brightly lit tree, the little colorful lights reflecting on the wrapping paper.
    "Santa," she exclaimed with a smile. "He came! He came!" She rushed back to her bedroom, pouncing her sleeping siblings.
    Her older brother smiled, "Well, you'll have to wait until morning, Beth."
    Beth scowled. "But he came," She whined.
    "You have to wait until morning. Sleep, then it'll be morning."
    Beth climbed back into her bed, waiting for sleep to come. It didn't. She tossed and turned. She was way to excited to be sleeping. Finally dreams claimed her, and morning came at last. Children stampeding down the stairs, grins already spreading across their faces. They reach the bottom and see the beautiful tree and it's stash of gifts below it, and they squeal with excitement. Stockings were hung delicately by a lit fire place. A piece of paper was tacked there, a response from Santa. The eldest child, Elizabeth, rushed over and took it down with care, and brought it to the others to see.
    The mother and father approach them, seeing the smiles and grins on their children's soft faces. The children looked up, eyes shining, and wide, teethy beams spreading from ear to ear.
    "Merry Christmas," They say in unison.
    "Merry Christmas." The best Christmas gift has been delivered. The gift of love, of family, of warmth, and the smile of a loving child.


    By,
    Ashley

    [2008]