And just like that, Christmastime is upon us once again. As I've written previously, it's the most wonderful time of year and definitely my favorite holiday. For generations, Christmas has encouraged tradition in families across the planet. Some families have unique traditions, such as our family and the "Noel Pole." I'll write more about that later.
A fairly new tradition, at least for me, is participating in my friend Loren Eaton's annual Advent Fiction event. Each year Loren hosts a flash-fiction event on his website here. I look forward to participating in this every year and am always happy when I see the official announcement. Thank you, Loren!
Bedtime at last, after a fun
Christmas Eve party. Santa is out, doing his thing, not that I’d expect
anything different. It’s in his nature, after all.
A resounding thump on the top of
the house wakes me up. Santa? Maybe, but doubtful. He’s heavy for his size, but
not that heavy.
Growls, snarls and barks are
shortly followed by a howl of pain and agonized screaming.
What the heck?
Santa comes bounding into our
bedroom. I’m glad I can communicate with him telepathically.
“Grinch is gone. I took care of him
like a good dire wolf.”
That’s my boy!
“Carol, oohhhh Carollll….”
The guttural voice, even in a singsong manner, still
sounded like gravel being tossed about in a galvanized bucket.
“I’m cominnnng for you, Carollll.”
If anyone could make a laugh sound evil, it was definitely
him.
Carol sat hunched in her closet, terrified.
“Carrollll, I know where you are, you can’t hide from
meeeee.”
A hideous smell made Carol want to retch, but she held it
in.
The closet door ripped free from its hinges, and Krampus
grabbed the frightened girl.
“You know you can’t hide from us. It’s what we do with
naughty people like you.”
Joy, to the World:
Hello, world, it’s me, Joy.
Do not be afraid. I bring you good tidings and wonderful
news.
Yes, everyone on this planet, every single person, can hear
me right now. The “how” isn’t important. The “why” is.
Am I an angel? Ghost? Alien? It doesn’t matter, not in the
least.
With all the bad going on in the world, there is more good.
You just have to believe it.
Believe it when your friend apologized for hurting you. She
was sincere.
Believe it when your estranged brother gave you that gift.
He was sincere.
Believe this: great things are coming!
