When the store lights were turned off, the only thing left lit was the large Christmas display that captured the attention of children of all ages. The night air was cold. He was glad the Santa suit was warm as he slowly walked down the deserted main street toward his drafty apartment. He had been staying there since Thanksgiving and the first day of Santa's village, where he had worked for quite some time. Up ahead, he saw a young boy, maybe seven or eight, wearing tattered clothes and only very worn shoes. He was staring into a darkened store window, his face pressed to the glass, silently talking to himself as he approached. The boy started to walk away, but seeing Santa in the flesh got his curiosity going, so he stopped and held out his hand to shake.
Pleased to meet you, Santa, but shouldn't you be getting ready for Christmas Eve? Indeed, he replied, but my business here isn't quite done. I couldn't help but wonder what you were looking at through the window. Not many young boys like you look at baby cribs. Oh, well, you see my mom is going to have a baby real soon, and we live in a small room with little space. My baby sister sleeps with Mom, and I sleep on the floor next to them. There's no room for a crib, but if I had one, I'd figure out a way to make it fit in the room with us. I see the old man said that's a noble cause. I've been saving every penny and nickel, but I'm still short, he said, wiping a tear so Santa wouldn't see. I'll tell you what he said. How about you meet me here tomorrow night after I've had a nice chat with the real Santa? But aren't you Santa? He asked, Oh no, I'm just his helper like the other Santas in all the stores around the world. Hurry home, lad, and don't forget tomorrow.
The boy showed up early, giving him time to look in the windows at a beautiful red bicycle with streamers and a bell. It was the nicest bicycle he had ever seen, but he knew something so new and so nice would never be under the Christmas tree. " I had a talk with my boss, well, Santa that is, and he told me he'd do his best to deliver a crib for the baby. But don't be upset if he doesn't come through with it, as most of the presents are spoken for.
The boy hurried home to tell his mom what Santa said, as she looked at her son, who had to grow up way too soon. Don't be upset if he doesn't come through with it, after all, we can put the baby in a dresser drawer where it will be safe and warm right next to us. After all, didn't baby Jesus sleep in a manger? On Christmas Eve, the boy and his small family decorated a tree they had found at a closed tree lot, leaving the worst trees for pickup with the other trash. They cut out paper snowflakes to hang from the tree, and Mom pulled out of a box the three ornaments her mom had given to her a long time ago.
He went to bed that Christmas Eve, hoping and praying Santa had a few things left over, and his little sister would wake to find presents under the tree. Back in his drafty apartment, the old man looked at the new crib, a red bicycle, and something in a small box for Mom. His apartment was a stopping place for hundreds of gifts for the kids living close by. Anything a child could ever hope for was in this apartment that would soon be empty on Christmas. See, he was Santa's helper, after all.
Early Christmas morning, the boy and his sister woke to their mom shouting for them to wake up and see what Santa had brought. They entered the room, and their mouths dropped open at the sight of the baby crib, a red bicycle, and the most beautiful doll his sister had ever seen. What's in the box he asked his Mom. It's got your name on it the boy said. Oh my, let's see, shall we? She opened the small box and found a key along with a note that read, This is the key to your new apartment. You'll surely enjoy the extra room, and don't worry about the rent, as there isn't any. Every Christmas, Santa picks out the most deserving family and gives them the apartment. This year it's you. Oh, and by the day after Christmas, the elves will clean and paint your new home.
As time passed, the little family did just fine, and the boy never missed a minute telling the story of Santa's helper. Some laughed at his unbelievable tale, while others claimed to have been visited by Santa's helper, bringing joy and happiness to what could have been a very un-merry Christmas. So, for those of us who have always believed in the magic of Christmas, don't be surprised if, on a cold December night, a child's wishes come true.
Mike 2025
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