“Davy, time for bed”, said his mother. He looked up at her from his place in front of the colorful Christmas tree, and then longingly gazed again at the countless little lights that circled the large, green Douglas fir, which stood beautifully in the center of the living room window.
“Aw, mom”, Davy answered. “It’s not time yet is it? We haven’t even put out the cookies or anything.”
Davy’s mom smiled softly as she winked at Davy’s father. He sat in his favorite chair near the fireplace; he couldn’t help but smile as he thought of the excitement Davy must be feeling on this cold, snowy Christmas Eve.
“Better do as your mom said, boy”, Davy’s Dad said, then added, “Santa won’t come at all unless he knows you’re in bed and fast asleep.”
“Come on Davy, let’s put out the cookies and milk. Heaven knows, he will probably need a little snack by the time he gets all the way out here”, Mom said as she took Davy by the hand and helped him to his feet.
He grinned from ear to ear as he grabbed his crutch, then followed her into the kitchen, while Dad went back to readying the book he had in his lap.
Mom took three cookies from the cookie jar, placing them on a small plate; then went to the cabinet to retrieve a glass for the milk Santa would surely need.
“Santa is going to love these cookies Mom. We worked hard making them this afternoon and I just know he’s going to love them.” Davy’s bright smile was punctuated by the glimmer in his dark brown eyes. Davy continued, “Can I get the napkin, Mom?”
“Sure, Davy. You know where they are.” His Mom said as she poured the glass half full of milk, then placed it on the table next to the plate.
Mom usually let Davy help make the cookies on Saturday afternoons and though Davy was only eight years old, he knew where most everything was kept. He had a hard time carrying things, but his Mom found ways for him to help and he always had a great time, knowing he was being a good helper.
He leaned on the crutch as he placed the napkin carefully beside the small plate, then proudly looked up at his mom, knowing Santa would be pleased. As he fought back a yawn, Davy said, “I guess it is time for bed. I’m kind of tired.”
Davy’s mom smiled as she followed Davy down the short hallway but stopped at his bedroom door. “Yell when you’re ready and I’ll be back,” she said, then turned back toward the living room. She stopped at the archway leading into the room and gently leaned against the wall. The lights on the tree captured her attention; then she caught a whiff of the tree which had just a few colorfully wrapped presents beneath it. Her thoughts drifted from one thing to another as she waited for Davy to change.
Davy’s Dad was still holding the book, but was watching Mom as she waited in her usual place. This time he noticed a tear trickle down her cheek, then he said, “He’ll be OK, Mom. Somehow, I know that leg will heal.” Mom wiped the tear from her cheek with her fingers, sniffed a little and then said, “It’s been two years though, and I just don’t know anymore.”
“I’m ready, mom.” Davy said loudly. She sniffed again, then turned back for Davy’s room. She knew Davy felt better about changing into his pajamas when she wasn’t in the room, but since the polio had struck him, she found it difficult to leave him alone to do things that were hard for him.
Mom reached the door and gently pushed it open to find Davy in his pajamas, and kneeling beside the bed. She moved next to him, kneeled beside him and they both leaned against the bed. “It’s my turn isn’t it, Mom?” Davy asked. “Yes, I think it is,” she responded. She put her hand out close to Davy and he put his hand over hers, just as they did every night, then he began his prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for a good day today. We had a lot of fun with the cookies and I’m so happy they turned out good. Please bless mommy and daddy and I hope they will have a good night. Oh, please bless Santa too. He has so much to do and I hope he will be safe. Thank you Father, that I didn’t have too much pain today and Father --- could I please have a good day tomorrow too? After all, it is Christmas. Thank you Heavenly Father.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Davy’s mom sniffed back another tear as she stood and then helped Davy up and into bed. He wiggled around, moving his withered leg into place and then she tucked the blankets up tight around him. Mom placed his crutch carefully between the bed and his night stand. Words were hard to say but she manage to whisper, “Good night my sweet little man.” She bent over and kissed him in the forehead and gently combed her fingers through his curly blond hair, then turned to leave the room.
Dad was waiting by the door as usual and as he took Mom’s hand he said, “Night son.” “Night Davy.” Mom said. Then as usual, Davy said, “Night mom and dad. Night God.”
Davy’s mom and dad slowly walked back into the living room. It had been a long day and they were both tired but they needed to pass some time and let Davy fall asleep before bringing out the presents for the next morning’s excitement. Mom sat on the end of the couch, next to dad’s chair but just starred at the tree. They talked softly about Davy and the things that would happen in the morning. They smiled and know Davy would be excited and enjoy the things they had wrapped for him, but at the same time, they hoped the pain he usually had wouldn’t keep him down as it had so many days in the last year.
Time passed slowly as mom and dad waited for Davy to fall asleep. Finally mom quietly checked to make sure Davy was out, and then they sneaked up and down the hall, bring gift after gift to place under the tree. When they had carefully positioned the last of the presents, they stood quietly together, both wishing silently there could be more things like bikes and sleds, but those sorts of things just weren’t right for Davy any more.
Dad said after a few moments, “Well we better get some sleep. It won’t be long until sunrise and soon after, Davy will be up and wanting to get started.”
They turned off the lights in the living room, but left the Christmas lights around the tree on. Dad made sure to down the cookies and milk, leaving some big crumbs around so Davy would know Santa had been there. Then Dad did something he hadn’t done before. He found an ink pen and note in large printed letters on the napkin and left it on the plate where the cookies had been. The note said, “Thanks for the milk and those great cookies Davy.
Merry Christmas,” and then signed it “Santa.” Dad then joined mom in their bedroom and they went to sleep, with special prayers in their hearts.
Davy slept but dreams of wonderful things drifted through him mind. He dreamed of laughing and having fun, riding a new sled down the snowy slope behind the house. Then as though it were part of the same dream, he was inside the house, playing with and watching the toy train he had wanted so very much. The little engine chugged and whistled as it made it way along the tracks and Davy could see himself smiling with delights.
Something changed then. Davy felt he was still dreaming but opened his eyes to see only the darkness in his bedroom. Only the faint light from the Christmas tree spilled into his room through the partially opened door to the hallway. Then something happened he had never experienced before.
There appeared in the corner of his room, a light that started small and then grew both in size and brightness. A person then appeared within that light who had silvery white hair and beard. He also wore a white robe that was as white as the light. Davy was stiff, laying in bed, as still as he could and though he was somewhat afraid, he didn’t feel he needed to call out for help. Davy didn’t know whether he was still dreaming or not. This was something he had never experience and wondered if this was Santa.
The white haired person floated beside the bed and Davy could plainly see the warm smile and bright sparkling eyes this person had. “Hello,” said the person in a soft but audible whisper. “How are you tonight?” he continued.
Davy felt himself smiling as he answered, “I’m just fine.” Davy hadn’t
even blinked because he was so captivated by this person and his fear was completely gone now and he pulled himself to a sitting position in bed. He only felt warmth and love from this person and wanted to be close to him.
Davy, “the person said, “You have been such a good boy this year and I love the wonderful prayers you say every day. I have come to grant your wish and the wishes of your mother and father as well, but I need to ask you a question first.
“What?” Davy blurted out.
“Do you believe in God Davy?” “Oh yes, Thank you.” Davy answered.
Then the white bearded person slowly and gently placed his hands upon Davy’s head and said, “I bless you with the wholeness of body to match your purity of soul.”
The person then removed his hands from Davy’s head, and before backing away, kissed the top of his head softly. Davy felt a little shiver go through his while body and he felt warm all over. Then as the white haired man returned to the corner and as the light began to dim, the person said, “Merry Christmas Davy. I’ll be with you always.”
“Thank you,” Davy said as he waved goodbye to this wonderful person. Soon the light and the man were gone and again the room was dark. Davy looked over at his crutch and wondered, but again felt the need for sleep returning. He lay back down, shifting around in the bed and couldn’t help but think, this had been the most wonderful dream he had ever had.
A few hours passed with Davy sleeping more soundly than he had in a long time. It seemed as though it had only been a few minutes when Davy woke again but this time, light from outside was streaming in through the window.
He grinned and sat straight up, knowing Christmas morning was here. He threw back the covers, reached for his crutch, and then got out of bed, leaning on his crutch as usual. He was so excited about Christmas that he didn’t realize his pain was gone. Out of habit, he used his crutch to move toward the window. He parted the curtains, and could see a light snow falling outside and it seemed like a perfect morning for Christmas.
Eagerly, Davy turned and headed for the door, then down the hall toward the living room. He stopped at the entrance to the room, marveling at the wonderful sight before him. There were so many presents under the tree, that he couldn’t even count them. He was starry eyed as with anticipation as he took several steps toward the tree, but then realized, he hadn’t used his crutch. Davy looked down at his leg and finally realized his bad leg looked just like his good leg and it didn’t hurt, not even one little bit.
Again, he took another step, leading with his bad leg and it didn’t hurt.
He still had his crutch but didn’t feel any need to use it, and by this time, Davy was right in front of his dad’s chair. Davy sat on the edge of the chair, rubbed his bad leg and could hardly believe what he was seeing and feeling. Tears welled up in his eyes as he thought about the dream he had during the night and he wondered if this was real or was he dreaming again. As Davy wiped his nose and the tears from his cheeks, he came up with a plan…
Davy’s mom and dad came down the hallway, yawning and yet anxious to watch Davy open his many presents. Still dressed in their pajamas and bathrobes, They entered the living room and saw Davy already up and sitting on the floor, peaking at the name tags on each of the new gifts.
“Good morning Davy,” his mom said as she came near him, patting him on the shoulder. “Hey boy, Merry Christmas,” his dad said as he sat in his regular chair. They all had a surprise to give and they were all anxious to give it.
Davy said, “Good morning you guys. Santa came! Did you know Santa Came!”
He was grinning as he looked at his parents but they were thinking about something quite different than Davy was.
“We can see that Davy. Looks like you better get started if we’re going to have breakfast any time soon.” Dad said with a little half smile on his face.
The morning progressed with Davy and his mom, moving about the tree, digging out special packages and as they each unwrapped, they were all surprised and pleased with the things they received, but as the last present was opened, Davy and Davy’s dad realized mom hadn’t received a present from Davy yet.
“Where’s that present you have for mom?” dad asked. Mom said, “Oh, you didn’t have to get me anything.” But Davy said, I know, I know where it is.”
Davy moved over to dad’s chair, then pulled himself up and grabbed his crutch. He hobbled out of the living room and down the hall toward his room and as he disappeared, mom and dad looked at each other, wondering what could be so special that it wasn’t under the tree.
Davy snatched the package that had been under the tree for days. He had grabbed it before mom and dad got up and hit it in his room so he would be able to make the presentation special. As he started down the hall, with the gift in hand, he had left his crutch in his bedroom. He walked toward the living room but stopped short of the doorway and asked, “Are you guys ready?” Both mom and dad said, “Sure, bring it in.”
Neither of them was prepared for what came next.
Davy peaked obviously around the doorway and with a big grin, and holding the present out in front of him with both hands, he walked around the corner and into the room. “Merry Christmas Mom and Dad,” Said Davy.
At first their eyes were on the package Davy was carrying but quickly realized he didn’t have his crutch. They both said at the said time, “Where’s your crutch? What are you doing without your crutch?”
“I told you.” Davy said smiling, “Santa came last night. He put his hands
on my head and said I was whole. I can walk momma. I can walk!” He
walked straight up to his mom without even as much as a limp.
Tears streamed down mom’s face as she grabbed his and held him so tightly that Davy could barely breathe.
Davy told them the story about how Santa had come, that white haired man in the white robe. He told how the man had come and how he left and that now he could walk without pain or a crutch.
The tears and smiles and laughter stayed with those three for the rest of the morning. As they looked back on this special Christmas, none of them could remember what was in that package Davy had brought in the room that morning, but they all remember the warmth of Heavenly Father’s Love they felt that Christmas morning, even to this very day.
