Day 22 The Christmas Thief: An Advent Calendar in Prose

 

The Christmas Thief

An Advent Calendar in Prose

Day 22

“I don’t know what to make of it, Officer,” the thin woman bubbled. “We found it this morning. We slept later than usual because we were so warm. When we woke up, we were covered with this.” She held up a heavy eiderdown quilt. 

“The children rushed out to the living room to see if Santa had come and we found a room full of packages!” She pointed to the pile in the corner. “The children insist that it was Santa but I don’t know what to make of it.” She pulled a blue satin dressing gown tightly around her thin shoulders. 

Reilly looked around the shabby apartment. Three cherubs romped in fleece robes among piles of torn wrapping paper and shredded ribbons. Bright red stockings hanging from the mantle sagged under the weight of the treasures inside. A silver tea set stood on the table next to a tiny Nativity scene. Reilly walked over and picked up the pot. Sterling all right. Must have cost a pretty penny. Reilly set it down next to the Wise Men offering gifts to the sleeping baby in the manger. Joseph and Mary guarded the child in his straw-filled manger bed. 

“We’ve never had a Christmas like this, Officer.” The woman’s eyes shone. 

Reilly looked away. Christmas Days like these did not happen to families like this. Something had to be crooked. He took in the blazing fire, the full stockings, and the excited kiddos. The boys each wore new mitts and the little girl was clutching a teddy bear. It was the shabbiest thing in the room, but she looked as thrilled as if it had been made of gold. His nose tickled as the mother uncovered a steaming tray of buttery pancakes and sizzling sausages that had been left on the small table. The aroma of Columbian coffee wafted through the air. He took one last look at the tiny Nativity and the Wise Men bearing gifts and thought about a wise guy he had better check out. He refused an invitation to breakfast, told the family that he would be in touch, and headed back home.

That afternoon, with his stomach bulging with roasted turkey, hot buttery yams, and plum pudding, Reilly snored in his easy chair by the fire. Something about this morning’s holiday scene swam into his dreams. That blue dressing gown – a gold B embroidered on the pocket. Those buttery pancakes.  Who did he know that fit that picture?

A Gift for All Nations: Luke 2:25-33 In Jerusalem at the time, there was a man, Simeon by name, a good man, a man who lived in the prayerful expectancy of help for Israel. And the Holy Spirit was on him. The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would see the Messiah of God before he died. Led by the Spirit, he entered the Temple. As the parents of the child Jesus brought him in to carry out the rituals of the Law, Simeon took him into his arms and blessed God: God, you can now release your servant; release me in peace as you promised. With my own eyes I’ve seen your salvation; it’s now out in the open for everyone to see: A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations, and of glory for your people Israel.

     Jesus’ father and mother were speechless with surprise at these words (MSG)

Challenge: Even though the Jews had been waiting for him for centuries, very few recognized Jesus when he came. Simeon, an old man, a good man, waited expectantly. How do we wait? Wait expectantly. Look for Jesus today in the good gifts God has given you. Thank God for every one.