A Christmas Story, My Christmas Story
This is a Christmas story, my Christmas story. How many Christmases do you remember? Personally, I don’t really recall any Christmas day per say but I do recollect a few things that occurred because of Christmas and here they are.
The Christmas Candles
When I was 3 or 4, my uncle, who has always been like a big brother, was building for me a Christmas Nativity scene in the fake fireplace that was on the right wall of the living room. It had of course, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, a couple of shepherds, an ox, some sheep… actually we had a lot of sheep. Those were scattered in the mountains.
The mountains were the best of all. My uncle was using brownish paper to build them across the fireplace, it was a large fireplace. But it was only a flashy one, there was no flue to let smoke of a potential fire escape. On these rocks, we were putting mosses that he and I were gathering from our garden. And on the moss, setting sheep here and there. At the very end of it we had the three Magi that were walking their way towards the stable.
It might have been the second or the third of these Christmases, somehow, we decided that it would look a lot more alive if we had candles lighting the whole thing. And so it was, we painstakingly planted two dozen candles or so, in the moss without crushing the mountains! Then we lighted them on. The scene was absolutely terrific and this actually warmed the room which was a bonus.
Alas, the pleasure was fast to turn to terror. The candles melted and somehow the rocks caught on fire. Thanks God, adults were fast to act and damped the whole scene with buckets of water.
This left an indelible trace for each Christmas thereafter as the figurines were forever charred.
A Christmas Story for Santa Claus
My next reminiscence of Christmas is one when I must have been 8 or 9. We were living in a different house than in the previous story. This time I was with my little brother who was 3 years younger. We were extremely impatient to find out what Santa Claus was bringing us. Dutifully, we were writing to Santa Claus every year though we knew that Santa Claus was my mom. And that year, we had figured out where she was hiding the presents.
One day, she was out working for at least half an hour, we decided to find them to look at them. Unfortunately for us, after bringing a chair next to the wardrobe which we suspected was the hideout, climbing atop the chair and standing on my tiptoes, I realized that she would definitely know that someone had come around if I dared pulling and opening these packages which were beautifully wrapped.
We decided to wait to not bring on us anything bad. We knew she was making our toys herself. Once, my brother got a garage with small cars and I got a kitchen with all the tools you find in one. Both creations were beautiful and done with a mama’s love.
A Christmas Story in London
Moving forward to December 1978. I was working in London and living in a building which had single rooms and a lounge where guests could cook and eat. On the 25th of December, I got up and went down for breakfast and found the place dark. I switched the light on and proceeded to make my usual breakfast. However, no one else showed up! I was “home” alone, everyone had gone back to their family.
I decided to go out to find some company. Well, the streets were desert, not one soul around, not even a stray dog or cat, just an icy wind. The window shops had panes, you couldn’t even see what was inside, the atmosphere was gloomy. I went back to my room. At least, it was warm and the walls, recently painted, were more comforting than outside. And there, I decided that I would never ever have another such Christmas nor any other similar day for that matter. However, the first of January, 7 days ahead, was looming at the horizon.
Back to work, I asked what were people doing on the first of January. “Everyone goes to Trafalgar Square to ring in the New Year,” unanimously replied my co-workers . So, I went there. The first surprise was that the bus was free. It’s not a usual thing but that year, the London transport folks had decided it’d be free for everyone taking the bus on Christmas day.
Trafalgar Square and the Way Back
Arriving to Trafalgar Square I had a shock. The place was packed and a delirium of exaltation was moving through like a wave. Some were breaking the ice in the fountain and having the bath of their life half naked. Definitely not for me. After having soaked the crowd, I decided that I should head back.
The next thing I discovered was that train and buses had stopped and were not running till dawn. My only way back was walking. This is what I’ll never forget. It was definitely cold, with some snowflakes here and there and a lot of wind. I was frozen to my bones and was moving along with many other people who had no other means than their two feet to go home.
What then happened along the way, is the memorable part. I was hailed for a hot cup of tea and a piece of cake at three different times by people opening their homes to total strangers to warm them up. This made my night!
These are my souvenirs of Christmas and New Year and I hope my Christmas story brought a smile on your face.
I wish you a very happy holiday season and my best wishes for the New Year.
Discussion Points:
- Do you have a Christmas story to share?
- Have you ever written to Santa Claus?
- Have you ever been hailed by total strangers for a hot cup of tea or coffee?
Share your answers below…