The Unexpected Gifts

It's that time of year again!

And what is on YOUR Christmas list? Or do you like to be surprised? 

Well, in the spirit of the season, here is a short story I wrote three years ago for: SUSANNA HILL'S 4TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY CONTEST!!! Since I couldn't write a holiday story without mentioning the Reason for the Season, here is my entry, keeping under the 350 word count with a reference to weather:                               
                                                                     
                                                                     THE UNEXPECTED GIFTS

     The house awoke early. It was Christmas morning! The snow outside was gently falling. The family
gathered to open gifts under the glistening gold and silver tree. Suddenly the wind began to howl. It raced around and around the house until it forced itself though a crack in the door. In it came, swirling around the Christmas tree.

     The little family pressed close together. They watched in amazement as the gifts began to rise and dance around the tree. Around and around they went in all their bright and dapper wrapping. Then, just as mysteriously as it came in, the wind ceased its roaring, and became a gentle breeze. As obedient children, the packages landed together under the tree once more.

     The wind blew back out the window, and into the morning, as quickly as it entered.

     "What was that?" asked Mother.

     "Amazing," noted Daddy.

     "Whee. . .what fun!" said brother Donald.

     "Oh, no!" said sister Wendy. "The tags are gone. They have blown away!"

     "It's a muddle," said Sarah, "but what an adventure!"

     The family each took a gift from the pile, and opened it.

     "This shirt is TOO big," said Donald.

     "These socks are TOO small," said Daddy.

     "But this scarf is JUST right!" said Mother.

     After much laughter and joy, the family read the story of the first Christmas.

     "There were plenty of surprises on that night long ago, too," said Daddy.

     Sarah agreed. "The shepherds were surprised to see Angels in the starry sky over Bethlehem."

     "And the wise men were surprised to find the Baby Jesus in a stable instead of a big fancy palace." Donald pointed to the nativity display.

     "And Mary was surprised at the Wise Men's gifts. Gold, for a king, frankincense for a priest, and myrrh for a prophet," said Mother.

      Wendy frowned. "But those were grownup gifts."

     "I think Jesus used them later. When they took the long journey to Egypt," said Sarah.

     "Maybe Donald will use Daddy's shirt when he gets bigger," said Wendy, her eyes brightening.

     There was joy all around that Christmas morning. They would never forget the day the wind mixed-up their gifts!

Make sure you go to Susanna Hill's website here. Even though Susanna is not hosting a contest this year, she has lots of goodies on her sleigh. Uh, I mean- her website. 

MERRY AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all . . .

                                                       And to all a good day!