Evan grumbled more and more through the month of December. “I just can’t get into the Christmas spirit this year,” he said as if that were explanation enough for his sour mood and boorish behavior. He had no patience for the throngs of shoppers. The ubiquitous holiday music further fouled his mood. He was cross with his coworkers and crass with his friends.
Before long his friends began greeting him with, “Bah, humbug,” before saying hello. But nothing, it seemed, would bring him out of his funk.
And then on Christmas Eve he was transformed. He greeted everyone with, “Happy Christmas!” or “Have a wonderful holiday!”
“What gives?” asked his best friend Bob. “You’ve been crabby as hell since before Thanksgiving and now you’re all sunshine and smiles.”
“You won’t believe me if I tell you,” said Evan.
“Try me.”
“Okay.”
And Evan told this tale:
When I went to bed last night I tossed and turned, unable to get comfortable, much less get to sleep. Suddenly I became aware of a presence in the room. Someone — or something — was standing at the foot of my bed!
“I didn’t mean to frighten you,” the figure said.
“I’m not — I mean who the hell are you? What are you doing here?” I said. I sat up and inched toward the headboard to get as far away from the intruder as I could. “Get out. I have a gun!”
“No you don’t, Evan.” The figure chuckled. “And to answer your questions, I am the Spirit of Christmas and I am here to help you.”
“Huh? You mean like with Scrooge? Not that I believe you, but are you the spirit of Christmas past, present, or future?”
“Ah, well Dickens took some dramatic license in his tale. There are not three Spirits, only me. And while I could show you Christmases past or future, I’m really only concerned with the present. You see, you need help now.”
“What, exactly, do you intend to do to me?”
“Oh, dear. I really have frightened you, haven’t I? I won’t do anything to you except talk to you. I want to explain the problem. The rest is up to you to do with, or not, as you wish.”
“Is this because I haven’t gotten into the Christmas spirit this year — if you’ll pardon the expression.”
“No offense taken, but you see, that is exactly the problem. You keep saying you can’t get into the spirit. What you need to do is let the Spirit get into you.”
I pulled my blanket up to my chin. “I don’t like the sound of that. Is this like some alien probe or something?”
“Nothing of the sort. You simply need to be open to the possibility that people need the gifts you have to offer. Not the things you can buy them, although you may find some of those as well, but your gifts don’t have to cost you a penny. Just take a moment to look at the people around you as you go about your day. Many of them won’t need anything more than a smile or a kind word. And the best thing? You’ll be surprised at how much you gain by giving those little bits of yourself.”
“That all sounds a little too ‘woo woo’ to me.”
“Well,” the Spirit laughed, “the simplest things are often the most profound. All I ask is that you keep an open mind. If you look for opportunities to give of yourself, you’ll find them.”
“That’s it? And you won’t keep haunting me about it.”
“You’ll never see me again, except perhaps in the faces of the people you give to. I promise. Now get some sleep. You look awful.” And with that the figure faded from sight.
I remained curled against the headboard with the covers pulled up to my throat for several more minutes watching and waiting for any further sign of the intruder. Finally I gave a huge yawn and realized how very sleepy I was. I stretched out and fell into a deep and peaceful sleep.
“It was the first decent night’s sleep I’ve had in ages,” Evan concluded. “And I found out the Spirit was right. It wasn’t that I couldn’t get into Christmas, I wasn’t letting Christmas into me. Once I relaxed and let it in, everything changed. Most people don’t need anything more from me than a smile and a kind word. And it seems I have an abundance of those to give because I get just as many in return.”
.
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Let's do Something Cheap and Superficial 
Something for my mom to read. Some folks just have to give up themselves to relax this time of year.
Thanks, John. I hope she [and you] got to relax and enjoy the holiday weekend. ~Tim
I don’t know how to respond in the absence of evil twists, or cynical attacks on our way of life…
Thanks, Peter. I expect to be back to my normally evil cynical self soon. ~Tim
That is jolly xmassy, I agree with Peter’s comment above I was waiting for a twist, probably involving that probe you mentioned, but no just good cheer and why not.
Thanks, Adam. I needed something a little cheery this week. ~Tim
Loved it – what a beautiful reminder of what the season can mean to so many of us, if only we let it in. Nicely done.
Happy Christmas,
JC
Thanks, JC. I’m glad you enjoyed it. ~Tim
Sweet! I did like it (despite the lack of a evil evil twist!) and sometime people need to remember more often.
Thanks, Sonia. Maybe next year I’ll rewrite this with an evil twist. ~Tim
ah, the truth. It applies to me as well this year. It’s hard for Christmas to enter you when you’ve got exams and a sinus infection. It was a great story! Happy Holidays Tim!
Thanks, Hannah. I’m sure you did well on your exams. I hope you are feeling better. ~Tim
Aww I love it! Right up my happy street! I laughed out loud at this line Tim “I don’t like the sound of that. Is this like some alien probe or something?”
Thank you for bringing just a little more Christmas Spirit into my life ^__^
Thanks, Helen. It was a pleasure to be on your happy street. [Somehow that doesn't sound quite right.] ~Tim
Woo woo indeed — the cheering kind! Yes, I loved this. It’s so true. And the alien probe crack (no pun intended) was pretty funny too.
Thanks, FAR. I enjoyed slipping in the alien probe. [Now that just sounds wrong] ~Tim
MERRY CHRISTMAS. It is certainly more blessed to give than to receive.
Adam B @revhappiness
Thanks, Adam. Yes. Yes it is. ~Tim
You big softie Tim.. you’ve been well and truly invaded by the spirit.. a lovely wee story.
Thanks, Tom. Yes I have been invaded by the spirit, finally. ~Tim
sorry i am so late getting here. i really love the perspective here. what a wonderful take. i do hope the spirit got into you and that you had a wonderful christmas. i wish you all the best in 2012 as well.
Thanks, Lime. Just as it’s never too late to have a happy childhood, it’s never too late to wish each other happy holidays. I trust you and yours will have a wonderful 2012 as well. ~Tim