Christmas was only a few days away, but Tommy was not at all excited by that knowledge. Poor Tommy could only wish that He would get some toys.  He lived in a very poor section of town and had little in the way of material things. Tommy often day dreamed of all the things he would like to have and what he would like to be when he grew up. Unfortunately, he was sure that none of his dreams would ever come true.

Today, Tommy sat looking at the faded curtains in his room. He had a bed, a cardboard toy box and nails on the side of one wall where he hung his clothes. It was a very cold day, so he had decided to stay in his room and not venture out to play in the snow.  As he looked around at his room, Tommy became very depressed and suddenly started to cry.  The tears rolled down his cheeks like a river.  When he calmed down a bit, he went to the small mirror hanging above his bed and talked to his reflection.

“It isn’t fair for us to be so poor! I am so tired of wearing shabby clothes to school, when all the other kids have cool clothes to wear. It makes me feel so stupid! I know mama says not to worry about my clothes because at least the clothes are clean. But what does she know anyway? She knows nothing about being cool and wearing awesome clothes. She is just content to be poor as a church mouse. But not me, one day I will grow up and get a good job and have all the nice things I want.”

Tommy stared in the mirror for a few more minutes in silence, then turned and went back to his bed. He lay there thinking about how cheerful his mother had been this morning, as she was putting up what he called ‘the stupid tree’.  He was really upset.  His dad had gone out in the woods and cut down a pine tree that had very few limbs and was somewhat crooked. He knew that his school- mates no doubt had dads who went out and bought a beautiful tree. He was sure they had  beautiful trimmings for the tree too. In his mind, he could see a wonderful tree with zillions of lights on it and fancy decorations.

A knock on his door brought Tommy back to reality. “Tommy”, his mama called to him. “Come help us string the popcorn and make some ornaments.”

Tommy moaned. He did not want to string popcorn and cranberries and hang them on the tree. And he certainly did not want to make paper ornaments either.  “We do not even have lights to put on the tree, so what is the point,” he whispered to himself.  “Mama, you go ahead, I do not feel like decorating the tree,” he said, hoping she would go back downstairs.

His mother opened his door and looked him sadly. “Tommy, it’s Christmas time, come on downstairs and help us. I made some sugar cookies and we can hang some of them on the tree too.” she told him. Tommy looked at her defiantly and shouted. “I just do not understand why we have to celebrate Christmas. I think it is just a bunch of nonsense! If we had a nice fancy house like my friend Bobbie does, I could understand. But we live in a dump, Mama.  Santa never comes here and you know it!  Besides, I do not believe in Santa anymore. Get a grip Mama, I am 10 years old now!”

His mama turned away from the door.  Tears were trickling down her face and she did not want Tommy to see how much he had upset her. She shut the door behind her and went back downstairs.

Tommy knew he should not have been so mean, but he could not help it.  He lay there a few more minutes then decided that he was going to go for a walk, and perhaps while he was out, he could find out what Christmas was all about.

The wind was blowing fiercely and the air was bitter cold.  Tommy thought momentarily about turning back and going home, but he was enjoying looking at the lovely trees arranged so beautifully in all the windows.  He passed some carolers in front of a huge house that had lights all over the roof and down the sides of the house.  When he walked past his friend Bobby’s house, he gasped at all the lights and yard decorations. “He is so lucky, man, I wish I had parents like him”, Tommy said.  At that point, he did not care if he ever went back to his own house.  The beautiful houses all trimmed for the season, reinforced his need to find Christmas.

Tommy walked for over two hours, and then finally exhaustion and the cold took their toll on him. He was so tired and cold and knew that he could not take one more step.  He sank down on a snowdrift into the cold, deep snow.  He lay there shivering while he tried to rest so he could walk back home. But after a few minutes, everything started to get hazy, like a fog was settling all about him.  Then the darkness enveloped him. Several minutes later, he thought he heard someone talking, but he was so cold and sleepy that he drifted off again.  Then suddenly someone was shaking his shoulders and calling to him. Tommy tried to sit up, but he just could not manage it.

“Sonny.  Hey, sonny, you better wake up. Are you okay? Come on now, I will help you up. You have to get out of this weather before you get frostbite.”

Tommy opened one eye slowly, and then closed it immediately. It felt as though he had ice crystals covering his eyelids and nose. He just wanted to go back to sleep and forget about the cold.  Tommy finally opened his eyes then blinked several times in disbelief.  Standing before him was an old man with a long, white beard. And Tommy could not help but wonder if he was dreaming. Could it be Santa, he silently asked himself.

“Sonny, come on now, get up!” the old man said as he took both of Tommy’s hands into his and pulled him up from the snowy ground. Tommy was weak and stumbled to the ground again. The old man reached down and picked Tommy up and gathered against his plump frame and carried him in silence. Tommy was shivering so badly that he did not even try to ask where the old man was taking him.  Within minutes Tommy was sound asleep in the man’s arms.  

An hour later, Tommy stirred from his sleep. He was warm and when he opened his eyes he saw the warm glow of a fireplace.  It felt so good to be warm again. He glanced around the room and realized he was in an old cottage, and wondered if the old man had brought him here, or if he was having a dream about all that had happened.

“Well, young man, you are awake at last! Are you going to be okay? I was beginning to think you died and went to Heaven,” the old man said laughingly.

Tommy hesitated for a moment and then said. “I am alive. But Sir, where is the place you mentioned, uh I think you said Heaven?”

“Why I thought everyone knew where Heaven is, son. Do you really not know?”

“No, Sir, I don’t. Is it a nearby town?” Tommy asked.

The old man realized that Tommy really did not know about Heaven, so he said. “Why Heaven is as close as you want to make it. What’s your name, son?”

“My name is Tommy Jacobs and I live in the lower South end of town. I was upset and went out to find Christmas.  Are you, uh? Santa Claus?” Tommy asked the man?

With that the old man laughed so hard that his plump frame jiggled like jell-0. “No, I am not Santa! My name is Joseph, but my friends just call me Old Joe. You may call me that if you want. You are lucky that Old Joe found you when I did.”

“I sure am glad you found me. I was so cold and so far away from home that I probably would have frozen to death had you not come by. Thank you, Sir, for saving my life.” Tommy told old Joe.

“No thanks necessary, Tommy, I am just glad you are well and safe. Now, tell me about you trying to find Christmas. The only way I know to find Christmas is to wait for it to get here.  Unless of course, you do find it in your heart, and hold it tight to it all year long. “

Tommy was rather puzzled about Joe’s last words, but he went on to explain why he was looking for Christmas. “ What I really meant, Joe, was that I was trying to find out what Christmas really means.  Why we waste the time having it, you know what I mean?  I do not know who ever thought of such a ridiculous holiday, but I think it stinks.  Santa never has come to see me all I get is homemade stuff that my Mama makes. I have never had any toys bought at the store.” Tommy hung is head and Old Joe was sure he was going to cry.

“Well, Tommy, come over here and sit on the couch with me.  I think I can get this all straightened out for you.”

“There is nothing to talk about! I know why he never comes to my house. It is such a shabby old house and the tree is always so ugly.  That is why he always passes by our house and does not bring me toys!”

Old Joe knew this was not going to be an easy job trying to convince Tommy about the real meaning of Christmas. But finally Tommy agreed to come sit on the couch and listen to what Old Joe had to say.  “You really don’t know the real meaning of this holiday we call Christmas, do you, Tommy?”

Tommy was immediately on the defensive and snidely said to Old Joe.  “Sure I do! It is a day for rich folks to go out and buy expensive gifts for one another. That is how it seems to me, anyway. It is a day for the rich, but not for the poor folks.”

Old Joe, sighed, then said as lovingly as he could. “Tommy, you must be at least ten years old, and you don’t understand the true meaning of Christmas. I am so sad for you, son. Do you have any idea, who celebrates their birthday on Christmas?” Tommy just shook his head. So, old Joe told him that it wasn’t actually His Birthday, because no one knows the exact time of His birth. So Christmas is just a day, when we celebrate His Birthday.”

Tommy looked a little perplexed and said.  “Well, if it isn’t really someone’s birthday, what is the point in celebrating it? That makes no sense to me, Joe, I know, Tommy.

It is the birthday of Jesus, and He was born a very long time ago, actually about 2000 years ago. We do not know the exact date of His birth, so that is why we chose a day to honor His birthday. Most people call this day Christmas, but I prefer to call it, The Birthday of Jesus. He was our gift and that is why we exchange presents on this day. It is our way of expressing love for Him. By giving to others, we are really giving to Him. You see, son, the smallest gift if given in the spirit of love, is a treasure rare and lovely. Jesus loves everyone and when we give to others it pleases Him.  Giving something in love is a gift money could never buy, because its value is priceless. Jesus came to this earth from Heaven and was born as a baby. When he was all grown-up, He gave His life for each of us, on an old rugged cross. He never did one wrong thing in His entire life, so He was chosen to die so anyone who wanted to go to Heaven and live with Him forever, could do so.”

Joe sat silently waiting for Tommy to digest what he had told him. Tommy thought about his words for a few minutes then he looked deep into Old Joe’s eyes.  “Now, Joe, this was not just a story you were telling me was it? I mean, this Jesus man really did die for me too?”

“No, it was a true story, and yes, Jesus died for your sins too.”

“Sins? I have never heard that word, what is sins?” Tommy asked.

“Let me put it this way. Have you ever been mean to someone? Have you ever told a lie, or stolen something?” Joe said.  Tommy looked at him and nodded his head. “Well, since none of us are perfect and we all do things we shouldn’t, this is called sin. That is why Jesus died, so He could take away all our sins and make us brand new, so one day we can go to Heaven. Heaven is a wonderful place,Tommy there is no sickness or disease there, no hate and no sin. The streets are paved with pure gold and there is beautiful mansions there for everyone.”

Tommy’s eyes glowed with happiness, at the thought of such a wonderful place to live with this man named Jesus. “I understand now, Joe, I really do! Can you show me how to get rid of my sins, so I can go to Heaven one day too?”

Old Joe beamed with delight, as he smiled down at Tommy.  “I sure can! It is a very simple prayer and all you have to do is mean it with all your heart.”

“That’s so cool, Joe, can you help me say the prayer?”

“Just bow your head and close your eyes, son, and in your own words ask Jesus to forgive you, for all the bad things you have ever done. Tell him that you understand everyone is a sinner, you included.  Ask Him to wash your heart clean with His shed blood, and make you all new and to come and live in your heart. Tell Him that you love Him, and you want to be with Him forever.”

As Tommy said the prayer that would make him a child of Jesus, tears slipped down  Old Joe’s cheeks. They were tears of happiness and as Tommy said Amen, Joe said amen too, and gave Tommy a hug.

“Tommy. Tommy, wake up! Dinner is ready, dear.”

“Mama? How did I get home and why am I asleep? Did Old Joe bring me back home?”

“Whoa, Tommy, how can I answers all those questions at once. You have been here, dear, you fell asleep on your bed a couple of hours ago. I have no idea who Old Joe is though.”

“You mean I didn’t go for a walk in the snow and an old man didn’t find me?”

“No, Tommy, you apparently were dreaming.  Come on now, let’s go eat dinner.”

“But Mama, I know that I wasn’t dreaming about Jesus. He is just too good to be a dream! Besides, I feel all - different inside now, so I know He is living in my heart! I found Christmas, Mama, and I have the best gift ever to give you and dad.”

“Really? Well I must admit you certainly act different.”

“Oh you will love it! I cannot wrap it up though, and I just know I cannot wait until Christmas to give it to you.  I love you, Mama, and I am so sorry I have been such a bad boy. The tree looks beautiful and it is going to be the best Christmas we have ever had!”

“You know Tommy, I think you are right,” his Mama said as she bent over and hugged him and kissed his cheek.

“Come on, Mama, let’s go find Dad, so I can give you both the gift of love. You are going to love Him as much as I do. I am so happy!”

“You know what, Mama? We are going to be so rich now.  The richest poor folks in town!”

Tara Hart © 2004 All rights reserved by the author;
permission is not granted for any use of this writing.