A CHRISTMAS STORY
It was Christmas Eve morning. I decided to escape the hustle and bustle of Christmas and go crappie fishing. On this cold day, I know I will find my quarry congregated around brush piles and standing timber. When caught in winter’s cold water, they always taste better to me.
I put on my gloves, pull up my hood, and pull away from the boat ramp. The morning fog hangs over the water. I watch an eagle sitting on a limb. Deer are at the water’s edge. An otter scurries along the bank.
As I slow down and start into my favorite cove, I see two other crappie fishermen in a strange-looking boat, already fishing. One of them was wearing a red and white outfit and had a big white beard. The other had long hair and kind of looked like a hippie.
Curious, I shut the motor off and drift closer. The boat looks like a sleigh without any reindeer. To my surprise, they were using a Garmin LiveScope and autopilot trolling motor. The guy in red and white was a jolly old man and greeted me with a Ho, Ho, Ho. I knew he must be St. Nick.
The hippie-looking guy reached out to shake hands with me and said, “Welcome brother, my name is Jesus.” I notice scars on the palms of his hands.
I say to Nick, “What are you doing out here crappie fishing? Tomorrow is Christmas. You have to make a lot of deliveries tonight?”
Nick frowned and said, “The magic of Christmas is fading. It has become too commercialized and goes on way too long. Most kids don’t believe in me anymore. They know Christmas presents come from Amazon or the local shopping mall and not me.”
Hearing that made me sad, but I knew he was right. Our world is changing, and not for the better.
I sighed, turned to Jesus, and asked, “Why are you out here? Tomorrow is your birthday. That is what Christmas is really all about, not old Nick here.”
He looked at me with eyes that touched my soul and said, “You are right, but many people don’t believe in me anymore either. The day is coming when they will find it is all true.” A tear ran down his cheek.
I told Him I was a believer. He smiled.
The three of us fished together all morning and caught a lot of crappie. I told them I had to get back for our church Christmas Eve service. Nick shook my hand. Jesus smiled again, hugged me, and said, “I will see you again someday.”
I hear a buzz in my ear and reach over and shut off the alarm clock. It was just a dream. I jump out of bed and get ready to go crappie fishing.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
“Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.” ~ Dr. Seuss
