Visit Eighty
A Christmas Story
It is two Sundays before Christmas and the pastor of the Wildwood Church makes
the usual invitation at the close of the service. The choir is singing a familiar hymn,
"Have Thine Own Way, Lord". Pastor Gordon sees a portly gentlemen with a white
beard and old pinch-nosed spectacles step into the aisle and come toward him.
Pastor Gordon asks, "How can I help you?"
The man replies, "I would like to join your church, Pastor."
"What is your name?"
"Kris. Kris Clemeths."
Pastor Gordon puts his hand over his mouth to cover his grin. "Kris, I bet you
have had plenty of comments about your appearance and name, especially during this
time of year."
"You're correct, Pastor. I've gotten use to it however."
"Kris, have you asked Jesus into your heart and do you know that when you pass
from this world that you will be with Him in heaven"
"Yes, Pastor, I really do… I do know Jesus."
********
Shirley tries to be upbeat as she tells her children, "Brian, Paula, you know since
your Daddy went to be with Jesus, money has been scarce. I'm afraid I won't be able to
afford any presents for you this year." She brings them into her arms and continues, "But
your Aunt Mary told me about this church over on McCarty Street… you know the one
named Wildwood. Well, there is a special Christmas Eve service where they give gifts to
children in the neighborhood."
Brian, her six-year-old, asks, "But, Mom, what about my electric train? You said
I would get it for Christmas."
Her five-year-old daughter, Paula, interrupts, "Mommy, my dolly… you said
Santa would bring me my dolly. We didn't get to talk to Santa yet. Maybe we can go to
the Mall and see Santa. I bet he would bring what we asked for."
"Kids, kids… I don't know… let's just wait and see… I don't think Santa can
help our situation. I can't promise anything, but… the Bible says that we can pray and
ask God for anything and if it is His will, he will give it to us. We know that God loves
us and wants the best for us, so we can ask him for the special presents you want."
Paula says, "I think God wants me to have my dolly."
Brian says, "And I know God wants me to have my electric train set."
Shirley breathes a prayer, "Lord, I hope you do."
********
It is Tuesday and Pastor Gordon is busy in his office, working on his sermon
when he feels the presence of someone nearby. He looks up to see a recent new member
standing in front of his desk. He says, "Hello… Kris… isn't it? How can I help you?"
Kris replies, "Well, Pastor, God has been so good to me and I want to give back to
him for all he has done for me. I understand you need a bus driver for the children's
ministry and I was wondering if you would let me drive the children to church."
"Well… we do need a driver. Have you had any experience?"
Kris replies, "Yes, I've had plenty of experience driving."
Pastor Gordon says, "That's great… Go back to the secretary's desk down the hall
and ask Mary for an application. We'll have to do a background check and if everything
is okay, you can start Sunday. Mike Perry is over that ministry and you can get your
instructions and route from him. I appreciate you volunteering… it is very important to
reach these children. By the way, we have a special Christmas Eve service where we
give out presents that the members have purchased to needy children that we bus to the
church. Can you drive a week from Friday to pick up the children?"
"Yes, I can… I'm looking forward to it."
********
It is Friday evening and Shirley is standing at the street corner with Brian and
Paula, waiting for the bus. She says, "I have to go to work now, but the bus will take you
to the church. Aunt Mary will be here when you return."
Paula says, "I wish you would come with us, Mommy."
"I wish I could too, but I have to work when they want me. We need the money.
Now, you hold on to Brian's hand and listen to the bus driver and say 'thank you' when
they give you your gift… Oh, here's the bus now."
The bus stops at the curb and the door swings open. Kris says, "Hello, kids…
Come on… get on my bus. Let's go to church."
Paula exclaims, "Santa! Look, Mommy! It's Santa!"
Brian says, "Don't be silly, Paula. He's not Santa… He's just a bus driver."
Paula says, "Well, he looks like Santa to me."
"Hurry, kids," Shirley interrupts. "The driver is waiting. Now… do what he
says. Have a good time and I'll see you later. I'll come in and kiss you goodnight.
'Bye… I love you."
"Love you too, Mom… Love you, Mommy!"
Brian and Paula get onto the bus and Paula says, "Let's sit behind Santa."
"He's not Santa, Paula."
As Kris pulls from the curb he speaks over his shoulder, "You kids looking
forward to those presents? Do you have anything special you are wanting?"
Brian replies, "Yes, we want something special… Fat chance of that."
Kris asks, "Why do you say that; Brian?"
"How do you know my name?"
"Huh… I believe I heard your mother say it. Why don't you think you'll get what
you want for Christmas?"
"What I want costs too much. Nobody is going to spend that much on some kid
they don't know."
"You've got to believe, Brian. God says if you have faith as small as a mustard
seed, it will be done. I know, if you really believe, you'll get that train."
"How did you know I want a electric train for Christmas? I didn't say what I
wanted for Christmas."
Kris pauses a moment and then replies, "It must have been on the note your
mother sent to the church."
The bus arrives at the church parking lot. Kris parks at the bus stop and assists
the children from the bus. As Paula and Brian depart the bus, Paula asks, "Santa, will
you pray with us and ask God for our gifts?"
Kris gets off the bus, he puts his big arms around the two children and prays,
"Lord God, thank you for your love for us. Lord, these two little ones have asked for
special presents this year. If it is your will, I know you will let them have the gifts. We
sure hope you do, because they want them more than anything. Amen."
Brian looks up at the old man, grins and then says, "Thanks… Santa."
Kris watches the two children walk hand in hand toward the entrance to the
church. He prays, "Lord, I hope it all works out."
********
The children are treated to birthday cake and ice cream celebrating Jesus'
birthday. Pastor Gordon tells the familiar story of that first Christmas and a number of
carols are sung.
Finally, the anticipated time arrives. The Christmas tree at the front is surrounded
by mounds of holiday wrapped presents. Each child goes to the front and gets their
present. They go to the adjoining reception hall to have plenty of room to open their gift.
Brian and Paula anxiously wait their turn. When it arrives, they both go to the
front and they receive their presents. Paula is very excited, but Brian is downhearted. He
knows the small package he received isn't his expected gift.
When they get to the reception hall, Paula rips into her package. She exclaims as
she takes off the lid, "Oh! Cool! It's my doll! It's what I asked for! Look, Brian!"
"That's swell, Paula… I'm glad."
Paula asks, "What did you get? You haven't even opened your gift, Brian! Open
it up!"
"This little box… it isn't what I asked for."
"Maybe not, but it is probably something really, really special. Open it up."
"Oh, okay…" Brian removes the wrapping and opens the lid. "What's this? It's
a piece of paper… It says to go to the kitchen area for my present."
The two children walk to the kitchen door and a lady in a red dress takes the note
from Brian. She leaves and soon returns with a large package. Brian takes the package
and is hardly able to carry it to an open space. He rips the paper from the box and
exclaims, "It's my train! It has everything… track and everything. Wow!"
"Can I help you carry your presents to the bus?" Kris has been watching and has
approached the children.
He helps them get their presents on the bus and he loads the other kids. Soon he
has delivered all the children except Brian and Kris. They arrive at the corner and Kris
helps them get their presents off the bus and loaded into Aunt Mary's car.
As they start to get in the car, Paula hugs Kris and exclaims, "Thank you, Santa,
for my dolly. It's perfect and just what I wanted."
Kris says, "God answered our prayers, Paula. We believed and it happened just
like the Bible says."
Brian says, "Kris, you showed us what faith means. I believe you are an angel, a
Christmas angel. "
"Why do you say that, Brian?"
"You know too much about us to not be either Santa or an angel. You knew my
name and Mom hadn't mentioned it. And she didn't send a note to the church; she just
called and told them to pick up two kids at this corner. She didn't know I was listening.
How did you know so much about us?"
Kris thinks a moment and then replies, "Well, Santa does know a lot about
children. I guess you could say I'm a Santa. You kids have a Merry Christmas."
As Kris turns and starts to get back on his bus, Brian calls from the car, "Merry
Christmas yourself, Kris… Kris, … tell Dad we love him."
Kris smiles. He waves to the children and ascends the bus steps. After he takes
his seat, he speaks to a young man who has come from the back of the bus and has taken
a front seat, "I guess you heard."
The young man replies, "Yes, Kris. Thank you for letting me visit with you."
You can thank Jesus; he made it possible. We had better get home… The
celebration has started already."
The two visitors step across dimensions to join heaven's multitudes singing
praises to their Lord and King.
********
Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father
of the heavenly lights,
who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17
Inspired by the true story included in Tommy Barnett's
book entitled "Dream Again", where another young boy received
an impossible train wish one Christmas.
Heavenly Visits mail to:visits@wt.net
© Copyright Jerry Mobley 2004
