Christmas Briefs

John Standing

Description

In this short story collection, revisit holidays past as author John Standing tells stories of Christmas spirit, striking the flame of December cheer in us all.

Christmas comes at us from many angles and experiences. Some Christmases may be fun and crazy, while others more serious and reflective. Christmas Briefs is a collection of holiday stories, some touching and some humorous, that will surely get readers in the mood for the holiday season.

This book is a compilation of stories written over many years for the entertainment of family and friends. The inspiration for the stories comes from actual events, imagined occurrences, or just random thoughts. Each is quick to read, family friendly, and will bring back some of your own warm memories of Christmases past.

Reminisce over holiday movies watched every year and the unavoidable bout of overeating. Watch generations gather as one, but also see the birth of young holiday love. Visit the Yule traditions of other countries or read about the comfort of home. Christmas Briefs includes sarcasm, love, family togetherness, and good friends. Everyone can relate to these stories, for they are about everyone.

Sujets

• Short Stories
• Fiction

Informations

• Publié par: Archway Publishing
• Date de parution: 16 août 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781665727372
• Langue: English

Extrait

Christmas Briefs
 

 
John Standing
 
 
 

 
Copyright © 2022 John Standing.
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
 
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
 
Archway Publishing
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.archwaypublishing.com
844-669-3957
 
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
 
Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
 
ISBN: 978-1-6657-2738-9 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-6657-2737-2 (e)
 
Library of Congress Control Number: 2022913684
 
Archway Publishing rev. date: 8/15/2022
Contents
Three Gifts
The Christmas Dance
To Christmas Eve and Back
While Bethlehem Slept
Santa Clutz
Santa Clutz Writhes Again!
Christmas—Under the Sea
Fruitcake
The Shepherd’s Story
My Big Fat Family Christmas
The Stutterer’s Story
The Kindertraum
Two Awl a Good Knight
The Best Christmas Ever
The Naughty Kid on Christmas Eve
It’s Christmastime
Three Gifts

E ven for time-wearied Swedes, this had been a particularly frigid December. There hadn’t been much more snow than usual, but it was bitterly cold. Decidedly, Christmas Eve this year would best be observed, more comfortably, entirely indoors.
The nearby village of Arvidsjaur was deserted, except for a few intrepid souls in search of crucial daily necessities. During these wintry days, the shortest of the year, there would be but a glimpse of light at best. So the villagers would scamper from their blanket-filled horse-drawn sleighs into the little general store at the square, returning to their homes with hopes of quickly thawing out.
The old man, Nadig Lindqvist by name, sat in his finely fashioned rocker in front of the fireplace, reminiscing on Christmases long past. He had lived in the village all his life and knew most of the longtime residents. Too many of his old friends had passed on. He had been with his best friend Vinn as he’d slipped into the next life earlier in the year. But there were still those who knew and cared for Nadig, and he for them. The Christmas season was a perfect time for reflecting on and rebuilding relationships. Most folks were in a jovial mood and were eager to welcome others into their homes. Even if there wasn’t much going on, there was always plenty of catching up to do.
Nadig’s usual paltry lunch consisted of a potato and a slice of cheese, along with a mug of hot cider. Today, as he ate, he thought of how it had been quite a time since he’d heard from any of his children or their families. They simply lived too far away for a regular visit. Just as well, he thought. The weather was much too severe for travel now. He finished the potato and downed the last of the cider.
The cat of the house, which Nadig had given the name of Van, jumped up onto his lap, desiring some human companionship and attention. This little orange cat had shown up at Nadig’s doorstep one spring day, met him as he’d returned home, and immediately adopted him as his caretaker. Not being one to throw back a stray, Nadig had yielded the crown of the cabin to Van. They’d quickly formed a close bond of friendship. Nadig gently petted Van’s soft fur, and soon Van was happily purring himself to sleep. His warmth felt comforting to the old man.
As he stared blankly into the colorful flames of the fire, Nadig found himself getting a bit drowsy and eventually gave in to a peaceful nap. He dreamed of days when his wife, his sweet Heliga, was still with him.
Once again, he could hear her singing, see her decorating the cabin and cooking wonderful meals for the family. She had brought so much life and happiness to their little home. He missed her so, even after these many years. He envisioned their children playing with small carved wooden animals, reading, laughing, and anticipating the wonderful celebrations of Christmas Days to come. From the north, a powerful gust of wind shook the cabin and roused Nadig. Though somewhat startled, he couldn’t help but notice he still had a smile on his face.
For several weeks now, Nadig had been putting together a collection of items Heliga had either written or writings she had collected, her favorite recipes, a list of things she had made or done, a list of some of her dear friends, and many of the kind thoughts and words people had written and given him at the funeral. He wanted to give the book a name, but nothing he came up with seemed right. He decided to let it alone for now and figure it out later.
The front room was cooling quickly, and Nadig had to relocate Van in order to get up and stoke the fire. It was a task to be handled delicately indeed. He gently lifted Van to the rug in front of the fireplace, where the cat then circled once, circled twice, kneaded the rug, and curled into a cozy, furry ball.
After having put on his winter coat, Nadig ventured outdoors into the darkness toward the well-stacked firewood. He had to get sufficient fuel for the night before the mercury fell yet further. As he did, he saw across the way some festive activity at the cabin belonging to his neighbors, the Grannes. There was a good-sized group of friends and family in what looked to be a most pleasant evening affair. But the wind was now howling, and cutting snow nipped at his timeworn face. Nadig briefly stood still and observed the event before placing several sticks of dry wood in the little cart.
It was a night very similar to this when Heliga had ventured out to visit another family down the way. She had made several loaves of her delicious bread and wanted to share some with her friends. Nadig had felt it was a bad idea to go out in such weather, but she’d insisted and told him she would be home directly.
As she’d made her way, a strong gust of wind snapped a large limb off a tree she was near. She’d never made the delivery—nor returned home. Nadig thought it was more than a coincidence that both her death and that of the Savior involved a tree. Although the feelings from that awful night were still raw, he held no grudge. Heliga had passed from mortality doing what she loved to do. Nadig shivered and then rather hastily withdrew indoors.
It felt good to be back inside the cabin. Warmth enveloped him, and he was thankful for it. He placed some of the frozen wood on the fire, which almost instantly lit and crackled into its intended purpose.
The walls of the front room were adorned only with a few faded pictures. There were some family keepsakes on the shelves and enough living provisions for the two who dwelt within. Everything they needed was at hand. Nadig and Van were contented in their simple surroundings. Yet there was something missing. Something merry was needed for this special night.
Nadig walked to the old cedar chest in the tiny back storeroom. Upon opening it, he found some well-worn Christmas decorations, most of which had either been broken or smashed. So to preserve what was still whole, he carefully picked through the various remnants. He rediscovered a handwritten story by one of his children from many, many years ago. It was a story of Christmas through the eyes of a child. He sat down on a stool and read it, savoring the words, memories, and feelings it rekindled. Reliving it made him happy, yet a bit melancholy. As he set the paper aside, he saw something else there, something all too familiar.
At the very bottom of the chest was a gift that Heliga had given him on their very first Christmas together. Oh, how he loved her. Somehow this precious gift had been stored there and forgotten over the years. It was well used but still resurrected many wonderful memories. He was glad to have noticed it. In a way, it almost felt like she was there with him, giving it to him once again.
They had been married only a few months when their first Christmastime came around. Nadig had been working every day to earn a scanty living while Heliga had tended to the duties of the home. Or so he’d thought. During the day, she had been doing odd jobs for neighbors and family to make a bit of money so she could afford to buy her husband a practical gift. Combining her earnings with the small dowry brought to the union, she’d purchased an old set of carving tools from a man who had used them for decades. Heliga had thought they would be a good starter set for Nadig. And that they were.
Nadig walked back into the main room, carefully stepping around the sleeping cat, and pinned the child’s Christmas story to the wall by the front door. Then he went to the fireplace and put Heliga’s wonderful gift at the center of the mantel. He thought it looked proper there, and it pleased him.
Turning back to his chair, he gazed through the window toward the Grannes’ cabin. He could only faintly see the merriments going on through the blowing snowstorm. Yet tonight he knew there would be wonderful memories made. The G