It was decided that they would all spend Christmas on the farm. The best news for Jett was that his Aunt Jane and Uncle Jim would be there too with his three cousins Emily, Russ and Sarah. They brought their travel trailer and parked it under the big Elm tree beside the house.
All day Christmas Eve was filled with the smells of the most special of holidays. Grandma, Mom and Aunt Jane stayed busy in the kitchen while Grandpa, Dad and Uncle Jim swapped stories with the kids. It was a perfect day in an imperfect year.
The December sun set early and all of the lights in the house and on the tree came on. It was time to honor their family tradition and open presents on Christmas Eve. By tradition Grandma and Grandpa opened presents first and this year it was Uncle Jim and Aunt Janes’ family’s turn to go next. One by one everyone took their turn to open presents with the encouragement and admiration of everyone.
Finally, to was Jett’s family’s turn. Mom was first to open her four packages. First, she opened a small package to reveal a box that contained a heart shaped necklace from Aunt Jane and Uncle Jim. The next gift was a Sterling Silver challenge coin with the image of John Baptist de La Salle, patron Saint of teachers. The next package contained a Louis Vuitton wallet from Camden. Jett beamed as his mother opened his present: a Louis Vuitton phone case. Megyn flushed with embarrassment that in such difficult times, she would receive such expensive gifts. Jett was undeterred and said: “Put them in your purse.”
Megyn replied dismissively, “I’m sorry, I didn’t bring it with me.”
Next was dad’s turn. He opened a long package that did little to belay its contents. It was a fishing rod and reel from Uncle Jim and Aunt Sarah. Next was a silver challenge coin like mom’s. Only this one bore the image of St. Michael the Archangel, patron Saint of Police Officers. Finally, he opened a bigger box that contained a pair of hunting boots from Megyn, and Jett beamed with pride as he opened a smaller box that contained a red-dot shotgun sight. Like his mom, Jett’s dad was a little flustered, “This is too much,” he said.
Finally, it was Jett’s turn. He opened the obvious present: fishing setup just like dad’s from Uncle Jim and Aunt Jane. The next present was a little bit of a shock. It was a Turtle Beach headset for his Xbox. Who knew Grandma and Grandpa were so hip? The next present was a bag with the top filled with tissue paper. Jet pulled the paper out with enthusiasm and tossed it all around. He peered into the bag for a long time when his cousins asked: “What is it?”
Months ago, for his birthday Jett had made a list of the five video games he wanted. Tonight, on Christmas Eve what he saw in the bottom of the bag were all five video games. It was more than he could have expected. He was speechless. He showed the games to his cousins who offered they couldn’t wait to play them.
When the enthusiasm ebbed, Jett looked around. There should be one more gift, but he didn’t see it.
After a long pause, dad finally said; “Go look in the hall closet.”
Jett jumped up and when he opened the door, he saw the best gift of all. A beautiful shotgun of his very own. As his dad had taught him, he picked up the shotgun pumped the breach open and made sure it wasn’t loaded. Then he wielded the weapon making sure not to point it at anyone and simply beamed. He couldn’t wait to go hunting with dad. He knew in his heart of hearts that this Christmas couldn’t possibly have been any better. But he was wrong.
He spent the night on the couch with his mom and dad in the guest bedroom and pondered the events of the day. He said a prayer thanking God for his parents and grandparents, naming his Aunt, Uncle and cousins by name.
Then next day they had a terrific Christmas Dinner and soon afterwards the little family headed home to the city. As they pulled up to the house Megyn asked: “Did one of you leave the Christmas tree lights on? “Both Jett and his dad said, No.”
“Well they’re on now,” she said.
They parked in the garage and when they opened the front door they were each greeted with a sight they thought they would never see again. Underneath the tree was a Louis Vuitton purse, AaRemington Shotgun and an Xbox video game system.
None of them knew how their prized possessions had found their way back to their home. Was it the local pawn broker? Was it Grandpa, Grandma or Uncle Jim, Aunt Jane? It didn’t matter. It was a mystery that didn’t need to be solved. It was a true Christmas Miracle.
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