The True Meaning Of Christmas

Stace Lexus– lead character

Nick Wilson– Stace’s best friend

The cold breeze of the air woke me up at exactly 7:00 o’clock in the morning. I brushed my hair and peeped on my window. The people were full of life; they were well-dressed and smiles were plastered on their faces. I wonder why. Is it because of the president’s visit in our city? Well, as I heard from the chatter on streets, it was scheduled next month, I’m pretty sure. Oh, it may be because of the grand opening of the plaza but I doubt it. After thinking and thinking of things, I just walked right through the kitchen and got myself something to munch. I found a bottle of fresh milk in the refrigerator and made a sandwich. I cleansed myself and decided to go downtown and shop. While walking, I knew something really different was going on that day. I’m just not aware but it’s something extra-ordinary. I passed by numerous people talking about some Chrisss… Chrissstm…… Well, I don’t really know what does that mean so I just walked straight. When I reached the mall, I hurriedly went to my favourite shop. Again, I was a bit shocked to know that this shop was actually on sale. In my years of shopping, I never remembered even a single day that it went on sale. Obviously, this day is a very special day.

I’m done fitting clothes, choosing accessories and picking up shoes and sandals. When I handed those stuffs to the saleslady, I asked her: What’s with the sale and everything?” She then replied: “It is Christmas madam; a day that almost all people around the world is waiting for.” I bit my lip and replied: “Oh yes! I’m such a silly gal; it’s Christmas!” Even though I’m not quite sure what’s with Christmas that made people so jolly and cheerful, I just pretended that I knew something about the Christmas thing and just came to be reminded of it. When we reached the counter, I was supposed to pay $400 but it was off to $325, pretty enough to treat myself a good lunch. I thanked the saleslady and got out of the shop. While walking, the idea of Christmas kept turning my head upside down. I thought about never knowing Christmas in my 18 years of existence but that’s improbable. Then I thought of things like perhaps I never cared for the past years and suddenly, the idea of me having some sort of an accident shot me right through the head. That was it, maybe it’s because of the accident that I had a few months ago. But I wonder why the idea of Christmas was completely erased from my mind. My head started to hurt because I’m trying my best to figure out what Christmas was all about. I then decided to call my best friend and he picked up. “Hello Stace”, he greeted with a jolly tone, “Merry Christmas.” “Oh yeah, Merry Christmas too Nick, can you come over my apartment? I just need to ask you something.” “Sure thing! I’ll be there in a few minutes, he said reassuringly. “Thanks!”, I mumbled. Nick’s my best friend. We hang out together, go to clubs and parties. We usually do things together since I was five and that made it easier for me to trust him and be his best friend.

I got to my feet and drove to my place just in time before Nick’s arrival. “How’s my buddy? I’m grateful you’ve completely recovered.”, he said. “Not really fully recovered though. Nick, look. I’m going crazy. I woke up with the bells ringing, people smiling with their clothes in red, blue and white colours. The sale on my favourite shop and all the stuffs in almost every store surprised me. It’s Christmas, they say but I really can’t remember what it was all about. I remember the accident but it’s so ironic that I remember you and never really forgot about my favourite food and stuffs. But with Christmas Day, I really forgot what it felt like to be one of those merry people.” He looked at me as if puzzled and finally he spoke, “Well, that’s not a big problem, I’ll show you what Christmas really means.” I smiled at him; feeling good about the idea. He asked me to gather some old things to bring with us. I really don’t get the connection between the old stuffs and Christmas. Afterwards, we got into his new Porsche. “You ready?” , he asked. “I guess so.”, I answered with a bit of uncertainty. When I asked him where we’re headed to, he told me that it’s a surprise. I’m quite excited about the whole thing. Knowing the true meaning of Christmas gives me an unexplainable feeling I can hardly express. Nick concentrated on driving and I, on the other hand, looking on every street we pass, the decorations, portrait of a fat, old man wearing red and all the bling blings. “We’re here!”, Nick said with a jolly tone. I looked around and I guessed he brought me to the plaza. I don’t usually go here. I just realized that it’s not as bad as I expected. There were decorations that will surely capture the eyes of people passing by. Nick explained everything. He started from the baby on a manger which he said was named Jesus. He told me the whole story and I was amazed. Then, he taught me everything about the Christmas symbols and the common decorations. The angels, Christmas lights, Santa Claus, bells, poinsettias, stars, Christmas trees and many more. My two-hour knowing-what-Christmas-meant-session with Nick made our stomachs crave for some food. We then decided to go to the nearest fast food chain and get ourselves something to eat. We were full when we got in his car. I was actually expecting him to bring me home but he changed the route. “Where are we going? I thought you’re just going to let me know the meaning of Christmas, right?”, I started. He then responded: “Knowing Christmas is not all about knowing the story and the symbols. You should feel Christmas in your heart Stace, you couldn’t say that you knew Christmas well enough when you yourself didn’t even feel it in the first place. I’ll make you feel the spirit of Christmas. That’s what I’m going to do this time.” I put up a smile on my face and nodded. I remembered the old stuffs that I had gathered from my things and that gave me a clue to where this thing will go to. We reached the orphanage and Nick told me to help him carry out the old stuffs. We proceeded to a room and he talked to one of the nuns who I believe was in charge of a set of children in this room. Nick called me up and he told me that we’re going to give out the things to the children. After the distribution and giving out of those stuffs, I felt something within myself. Something I can only describe as a fulfillment. I was fulfilled with what I was able to do. The smiles of the children were priceless, their thank you’s were sweet and it made me happy. I think this was what Nick was trying to say, the spirit of Christmas. When the mini program was finally over, we waved goodbye to the children and thanked the nun. During our ride home, I told Nick about how I felt and he told me that it was exactly what he meant; that he wanted me to know that Christmas is not all about the materials things rather, it’s about the joy and happiness it brings to every heart. When I reached home, I gave Nick a hug and thanked him for such a great Christmas day. I told him that he was the perfect gift that was given to me this Christmas. He blushed and kissed me on the cheek before going. I sat on the couch recalling what had happened.

As I was about to fall asleep, I thanked God for the gift of Christmas, for the joy, the fulfillment including the pride that I felt. I wished that next year’s Christmas would be merrier than this one; more smiles and greater happiness. I thanked God for giving me the chance to know the true and wonderful meaning of Christmas.