The first Advent was approaching in the small town in the Alps. But here and elsewhere hardly anything was noticed of the Christmas spirit. And it wasn't just the lack of snow. The sun had melted away the first layers of mid-November.

Only a few chains of lights shone on a few houses, figures on the window panes or in the gardens. In some places it shone brighter, where there was probably a little more of the Christmas anticipation, in other places a little less. However, most of the houses were completely sad. Nothing was attached to them and nothing had been decorated yet, so that one had to assume that there was probably no Christmas spirit inside the people who lived in them either.

 

There was a leaden silence in the night. The residents slept. 

But it was also a magical night.

A man in a car drove through the darkness. A big package on the passenger seat. It was violet and had a large ribbon, also violet, on the top of the lid.

Not even the street lamps, some of which were still burning, illuminated the face of the man who drove through the village at night.

He parked in front of the community building on one of the designated fields. Far and wide there was no other vehicle but his. The door made no noise when he got out. His gaze from under the black brim of his hat slid up to the large fir tree that stood in front of the building. The community workers had cut it especially to please the people in the village and maybe get them in the Christmas spirit. A custom as they did every year. But by this time it was no longer glowing.

There were no other sounds around, nothing but his heartbeat. Not even the footsteps of his shoe soles on the asphalt could be heard. He unloaded the gift box, got back in and left.

 

*

 

"Hello, good morning sunshine. Today will be another wonderful day with 7 hours of sunshine. Enjoy the great weather, folks. Because we don't know if we'll get a white Christmas!” Simon Lamb blared into the bedroom through the clock radio. He sounded like one of those bright early risers that you really didn't want to hear on these dreary days. 

Kate O'Brian squinted in the bright light of the bedside lamp, lolled and stretched before shuffling out of bed to go to work. She was a parish clerk and one of the few people in the chapel who was looking forward to Christmas. Not really for this Christmas, because this year would not be as usual.

 

They had all been in a state of emergency since spring, when an aggressive virus paralyzed half the country's economy. Not only the people in the small town, but all over the country met with skepticism on the street, when shopping and also at work. Everyone feared for their own health that they might be infected.

Instead of Christmas, the word pandemic was on everyone's lips. For some, the disease went like normal flu, for others, mostly older people, it ended badly. Still others did not notice at all that they had been infected or only too late when they had already infected people around them.

 

Kate threw on her coat, wrapped her scarf around her neck and headed off to work. There was a cool wind that took her breath away and made her curls flutter. The frost had settled over the land. It was just above zero degrees and still dark at this time.

Kate loved going to work these mornings. Because she passed Susanna (Sanna) Maclaine's house.

No sooner had she turned around the old schoolhouse than she saw it blazing brightly with hundreds of little lights in front of her. In the garden next to the leeks was a large reindeer that looked as if it had come to eat. The sprawling branches of the large cherry tree were wrapped in fairy lights, as was the frame of the vine. There were also lamps on bushes, shrubs and archways. The whole facade of the house was covered with a curtain of fireflies and a huge, glowing Christmas star was emblazoned above the central window.

Kate smiled happily to herself. She was pleased that Sanna Maclaine, with the new man at her side, had not only rediscovered her zest for life, but also the magic of Christmas. Since then, more and more Christmas magic has emanated from this house every year.

It almost looked like a gingerbread house with an illuminated facade in front of the entrance, consisting of another curtain made of small lamps and ice crystals. On either side of the door stood a small Santa Claus with a sleigh on two little tables and opposite illuminated packages and above them illuminated fir branches with colored Christmas tree balls and small lamps. The borders of the borders and nearby shrubs also shone in the glow of light.

This picture had such a positive impact on her that Kate began to sing a Christmas carol as she made her way up to the new schoolhouse.

 

It was dawning in the east. Behind her, string after string of lights went out around Susanna Maclaine's house until Kate reached her place of work. Her cheeks were glowing from the cold and walking upstairs had made her really warm despite the biting wind. Only the fingertips were offended by the frost, despite the coat pockets. Kate lifted her to her face and blew on her hands as she covered the last few yards.

As she reached back into her coat pocket to pull out the key, she was surprised to see the package that someone had placed on the doormat in front of the door. "Well? What are you doing here?"

It was big, purple, with a big purple bow on top.

"Where are you from?" A car pulled up behind Kate into the parking lot in front of the church building and she realized that she had been talking loudly to the package.

 

Tom Collins came toward them with stiff but quick steps. "Morning, Kate," he greeted excitedly. "Don't you want to go in?" Then he too noticed the package she was standing in front of. "Wow. Is that for us?”

"I have no idea," she replied, shaking her head.

He bent down in his long winter coat. "No note on it or something?"

"See one?"

"No address either. Funny. Then how are we supposed to know who this is for?”

Kate took a determined step across it, pocketed the key, and unlocked it. "Bring it in and we'll take a look," she said as she pushed open the heavy door and was the first to slip into the warmth.

 

It was slowly coming to life behind them. One vehicle after the other parked on the marked fields and traffic also started on the main road.

 

"Man, that's really heavy," complained Collins as he picked up the package with both arms.

Kate had slammed the door again because the cold had gotten into the room and it was taking too long to wait for her colleague. So Collins had to brace himself with his shoulder to push open the heavy door, for which he didn't have a free hand.

The apprentice Ibee came to his aid, so that he got the package in safely.

He put it on the counter so he could slip out of his coat and hang it on the coat rack.

Kate was already behind the counter, eyeing the gift with eagle eyes.

"What's that?" Ibee also approached her. "Who was this given to?"

"No idea. We don't know by whom either."

 

One by one, all the employees filed into the parish hall. Everyone asked the same question and joined them curiously. Finally the six of them stood around the mysterious package.

"What do we do with it now?" Ibee asked, unable to contain her curiosity any longer.

Kate gave her a reproachful look. "We don't know who owns it."

"How are we supposed to find out if we don't open it? After all, it's not written down," remarked Martha Richi, who was standing next to Ibee.

Collins raised his hands. "Kate, they're both right. How are we supposed to know?”

But she hesitated. "I'm not quite sure."

"Aren't you curious about what might be in there too?"

"Of course I'm curious too. But…"

"God, there probably won't be a bomb in there!" Determined, he stepped closer, but then only put his ear to the box to make sure that it might not be ticking after all.

"And?"

"I can not hear anything."

"Just be careful, okay?" Kate took a step back as he fiddled with it.

 

His fingers felt around the rim for wires before daring, peering underneath to gently lift the lid. "Looks good," he stated.

Kate took the lid off it across the counter and put it on her desk behind her.

Everyone peered curiously into the box.

Inside was a smaller wooden box with iron fittings that could be used to open and close it. But still no message from the sender.

Driven by curiosity, Collins opened this box as well.

It was lined with dark fabric.

"What's that?" Frowning, he took a step back in disappointment.

"How pretty. A snow globe,” Ibee exclaimed happily.

Kate carefully took it out of the box and turned it glass side up.

The lower part was made of metal. There were beautiful chiselled decorations, two interlocking cogs on the side, and a clock mechanism below with a handle to wind it up.  "That's funny..."

"What is it?" Martha said because Kate had interrupted herself.

"That little world in there... It looks like our village..."

"What?"

"After all. Look.” She held the present out for all to see from above. "The church. The New Houses of Ross. And here, our parish hall.”

"Even with the Christmas tree," Ibee confirmed with a smile.

"Even the time on the church clock matches ours." Collins looked questioningly at the others. "Isn't that weird?"

 

"Who is this?" Ibee pointed to the snow globe.

There was a dark blue car in front of the parish hall and a woman walking towards the entrance.

"No idea. Do any of you have a magnifying glass?”

"Yes I. On the desk,” Collins nodded.

"I'll get her," Ibee offered quickly.

"Hey Kate, what riddle is this?"

The young woman looked into slightly angry dark eyes. She shrugged and shook her head at Tom's question. "How should I know?"

"Here it is." Ibee rounded the counter and held out the magnifying glass. "Who is it?"

Kate stared through the magnifying glass. "I'm not sure."

"Show me." Collins tried it himself.

 

Martha peered over his shoulder. "I know who that is."

"Yes?" Surprised, all pairs of eyes turned to her. 

She nodded seriously. "This is Susanna Maclaine."

Ibee frowned. "Who is this?"

"Well, that weirdo down there with all her Christmas lights," Collins scoffed while handing the snow globe back to Kate O'Brian.

"Don't you like that?" she asked in surprise.

He shook his head. "A bit exaggerated, don't you think?"

She smiled at him mockingly. "No not at all. They get me in the Christmas spirit every morning.”

"Why is she in there?" Ibee asked disappointed. "And why didn't she get the package?"

"No idea."

"What do we do with it now?"

"I do not know either."

"I would have liked to take her. But if she's in there..." Ibee replied frustrated.

Kate shrugged. "Maybe that means something?"

Collins shook his head angrily, who had actually been looking forward to a decent present for all of them. "That's rubbish! Probably the resemblance doesn't mean anything and it's just a doll!"

"That's Sanna's car too. She drives exactly this type”, Martha contradicted.

"Maybe we should give them to her," Ibee suggested.

"For my part, do what you want with that thing!" Collins waved him off and retreated to his office next door.

 

"I'd like to hear how she sounds," Martha asked her supervisor.

Ibee nodded radiantly. "Yes, me too."

"Me too," Kate smiled. Gently she turned the small handle. He looked thin and fragile on his stalk.

The cogs on the side and also the mechanical clockwork on the bottom started moving and turning. And suddenly the song Christmas Comes To Us All sounded, Christmas comes to all of us from the small device.

"How nice!" Ibee clapped his hands with joy.

"Turn that thing off!" Collins shouted angrily from the back room.

Martha shook her head. "That will not do. Otherwise the gear train will break.”

"If only it were something decent!" he complained.

"You're going to have to put up with this until it's finished," Kate grinned amused. She put the music box on the counter and took the box next door.

After that the day took its usual course.

 

*

 

At least almost. Because the clock on the church tower clock kept running, even though the song was over and the wheels actually stopped...

 

At midnight the hands would spin and then strike the hour.

Blue light emanated from the dial, penetrating the entire building and even the street.

Lightning shot from a cloudless, star-studded sky.

 

Sanna Maclaine rolled over in her bed. Her angelic blond curls curled on the tossed pillows. It worked in her expression. She obviously had a dream, an inspiration or a realization.

 

After a few moments the spook was over.

Sanna sighed contentedly and fell into a deep sleep.

The sky was covered with stars again.

And the blue light from the church clock disappeared behind the white dial.

Calm returned and the night passed like any other in this village.

 

***

 

The new, next day began like any other before him.

At the parish hall, the staff went to work as usual. The snow globe's little music box was left untouched this time because Tom Collins didn't like its tune.

"What are we going to do with it now?" Ibee asked after her arrival as she stopped in front of it.

"Oh, take her down to Santa!" Collins scoffed wearily. You could tell he had had a bad night.

"More music?" Kate mocked, amused to tease the curmudgeon a bit more.

Collins waved him off with a grim expression. "Please do not. I usually fight enough with my kids about Christmas. They don't want to see that there is no Santa and why the Klausentag is canceled this year!"

 

"Why would you?" The door had opened and they hadn't noticed. With Sanna Maclaine, the cold of winter penetrated the room along with the draft. "Christmas is a beautiful thing. Why shouldn't your children believe in the magic of Christmas and Santa Claus?"

"Because Christmas is overrated and there's no such thing as an individual like Santa!" he burst out of his office, eyes rolling.

Sanna smiled at him winningly. "Good morning, Mr Collins. Good morning everybody."

"Good morning, Mrs. Maclaine," she too was greeted from all sides.

“Believing in Santa Claus as a child, Mr. Collins, is a privilege not to be stolen from your children. The Christmas season is the season of miracles. But above all it is the time of magic. The time to wish for anything and to believe in anything you want.”

"If that's how you taught your children, then that's your business, Mrs. Maclaine, but..."

"Oh yes of course. My children both believe in Santa Claus. Don't take that away from yours. Because then you also forbid them to believe in the fulfillment of their wishes..."

"Wishes don't just come true! You have to work hard for it!”

She nodded, but kept her smile anyway. "That too. But believe me, Mr. Collins, I am the best example that wishes can come true. You just have to believe in it hard enough. you pronounce. you wish. And have wishes in the first place.”

"That's enough!"

"Your children will love you if you tell them about Santa Claus."

"You love me even if I don't tell you about Santa Claus!" he replied gruffly.

Sanna's lips lifted into an even wider smile than before. "They will love you even more. Believe me, Mr Collins. Just try and you will be the best father in the world to your children.”

 

"What can I do for you?" Kate O'Brian asked while Collins disappeared into his office in a rage. She had stood in front of the counter and listened to the exchange of blows between the two with a smile.

"Well, I'm not sure..." Sanna switched her gloves from one hand to the other. "Actually, I wanted to ask what… what can I do for you?"

"That's strange. Yesterday we were still talking about you and then…” Martha looked surprised by Sanna Maclaine at the snow globe on the counter.

Sanna followed her gaze. "Oh. What's that nice thing you got there? May I?"

"You're welcome."

Kate made a gesture to do so, placing her gloves on the shelf under the counter and picking up the crystal ball.

"Wow. That's our village," Sanna exclaimed. Her eyes wandered over the little houses, the church and the tiny figurines. In front of the small community center with its Christmas tree and the blue car, her gaze lingered as if magically drawn. "That's me!" she exclaimed in surprise. She held the snow globe with only one hand so she could look down at herself. "She's wearing the same clothes as me!"

"Strange, isn't it?" Collins had emerged from his hiding place again, but had only stood in the doorway to his office to be on the safe side.

Sana nodded. “The resemblance is amazing. Where did you get that?”

Kate shrugged. "It was in a package in front of our door yesterday. We were wondering if it's yours?”

"No." With a little laugh, Sanna shook her head. "I like her without question..."

"Then take her with you so that the devil's stuff isn't lying around here anymore!" Collins hastily suggested, delighted.

“Oh no, it's a real work of art. You see?” Sanna was absorbed in the small image of her community, where she had lived for 15 years. "Look." She pointed to a spot on the sphere as she held it closer to Kate O'Brian again. "There at school. In kindergarten we sing and do handicrafts.”

 

Suddenly the music started up again without her turning the little handle or doing anything else. Christmas Comes To Us All, it sounded from the music box.

"What have you done? Why did you turn that thing on?” Collins complained rudely.

"But I didn't! I didn't do anything!” Sanna hastily put the crystal ball back on the counter.

"I say yes, devil stuff! Take her with you!” Collins rolled his eyes and slammed the door to his office.

"A pretty song," Sanna remarked politely. "But I really didn't do anything."

"No, I know. It's really weird,” Kate O'Brian nodded to help. "We really don't know what the thing is about. Can you see it? The time also shows our real time..."

"How funny."

"Tom doesn't think so at all."

Sanna smiled. "Maybe it's because he doesn't like Christmas?"

"Maybe." Kate smiled back. "How can I help you?"

 

"As I said..." Sanna interrupted herself. Actually, she had wanted to point out again that she didn't know herself. That she had come here expecting that the council would want something from her. But suddenly she just knew it, the thought was suddenly there of what she had to do.

"I had a dream," she began. “I want to do handicrafts with the kids at school. Would it be possible?"

"Well..." O'Brian drawled. "Basically, it's possible. Only stop in compliance with the hygiene regulations and the distance rule.

Sana nodded. "It's not a thing, of course. When can I start? There is still a lot to do before Christmas.”

"You're not wasting any time, are you?" Martha laughed.

Sanna shook her head. "No. Not on things as important as Christmas. Could you sign me up now?”

Kate nodded. "I'll see what I can do for you." She went to her desk, picked up the receiver and dialed a number.

 

Turning to Sanna, she nodded. She put the receiver back on the station and went back to her at the counter. "At half past one this afternoon. They start kindergarten. Bella Brown will be waiting and briefing you.”

"Good. Great. Thank you very much.” Sanna beamed all over her face as she picked up her gloves again and turned to go.

"Don't forget the bauble," she was admonished by Kate O'Brian.

"Oh. Yes. Naturally. Gladly. Many Thanks. Happy Holidays."

"You too, thank you. Goodbye”, she said goodbye when Sanna finally left the municipal administration with the heavy box and the snow globe.

 

"Is she finally gone?" Tom Collins asked through the crack in the door.

Kate and the other women turned to him with mocking smiles. "Who do you mean, Tom? Mrs. Maclaine or the bullet?'

"I would say both," giggled Martha conspiratorially.

Collins shot her annoyed looks. "Women!" he hissed and retreated back to his office.

"She was actually acting a little weird," Ibee also noted.

But Kate smiled. “She just seems to love Christmas. But it's okay like that. The teachers will be relieved and the children will be happy. What's not good about that?"

Martha came to her aid: “Anyway, I think it's a great idea for her to get involved in the community. The kids will love it. I wish my parents had done handicrafts with us back then.”

"Well, we still don't know what will become of it," Kate said, warning her not to expect too much. "But we will see."

 

*

 

Sanna was at school at half past one on the dot. And she took the old snow globe with her. She was convinced that she was old and therefore precious. Nevertheless, she thought it right to take it to the children and, if they wished, to let them hear the melody as well.

Bella Brown was an older slim woman who had served the community as a kindergarten teacher for many years. Sanna's own children had gone to her kindergarten, so there was no lack of mutual understanding.

Bella Brown led her into the workroom, where her protégés were already waiting for her. They were chattering and some had already started playing. The teacher clapped her hands for silence.

It was instantly quiet and all heads turned to the newcomers. Sanna Maclaine in particular got her whispering, "Who is that? What does she want here?”

 

Susanna smiled at them. "Hi kids, I'm Sanna and I'm here today to support your teachers Miss Brown. How about we make Christmas tree snakes today? You can then hang them up anywhere inside and outside and beautify your surroundings with them.”

"Oh yes, great! »

The children nodded and clapped. They were immediately fired up to take part in something like this.

And Sanna was happy that she was allowed to do that with them.

 

*

 

Only one did not enjoy it when he came home in the evening and found his house shining in a new light. Tom Collins slammed the car door, his face white and contorted with anger.

"Mark! Claudia! What is this?

The two were still busy decorating the area.

Her father pointed to the Christmas decorations his children had happily placed outside on the porch railing and roof support posts.

Claudia beamed at him. "We made this at school. With Sana. Isn't it great, Dad?"

"Do you like it, Dad?" Mark also wanted to know beaming.

But the children's joy didn't rub off on Collins. With a scowl, he shook his head. "No! I do not like it! Put it down immediately!”

"But..." The children gaped in disappointment. "Mom allowed us..."

"So, you have?" Tom gave his wife Silvie a sharply reprimanding look.

She just shrugged her shoulders apologetically.

"We've talked about this topic umpteen times! I don't want that in my house!” he thundered.

"But everyone has it now," protested Mark.

“We tried so hard. Please dad.”

"You were really looking forward to it, Tom," Silvie came to your aid.

But Collins' expression remained iron and his will rock hard. "It's out of the question! Away with the stuff! If you guys don't take it down, I will! And then it ends up in the trash where it belongs!”

"But, Dad!"

"Papperlapapp! No arguments!” He turned on his heel as the children cried loudly and fled into their mother's outstretched arms.

"I still have work to do!" he growled insufferably and disappeared.

Desperate, he left Silvie alone with her children, who now had the unpleasant task of stopping her again to remove her beautiful work. How can you be so hard-hearted! she thought sadly.

 

***

 

"Oh!" Sanna Maclaine was amazed when, after waking up, her gaze caught the crystal ball in passing of this new morning. Surprised, she stopped and took a closer look. "Wow! So that's it," she exclaimed.

 

*

 

Sanna didn't take the time to say hello properly. She carried the crystal ball with her when she walked through the door into the parish hall and immediately began to explain: "Guys, I now know what this magic ball is for with us!"

The employees behind the counter all turned to Sanna curiously.

Even Collins came forward to the doorframe of his office. His curiosity was greater than the annoyance she had caused him with her tinkering with the children.

Sanna beamed with joy all over her face. "Yesterday I went to school with the kids for handicrafts for the first time. And hey presto, this is what the ball looks like overnight!”

Martha, Ibee and Kate rushed to her counter.

Sanna placed the crystal ball on the shelf for everyone to take a look at.

The mouths of the three women also remained open.

"Incredible!"

"Wow!"

"That's not possible!" They exclaimed in surprise.

Her exclamations now even attracted the grumpy Collins.

 

Sanna grinned, but immediately drew her attention back to the toy in front of her. "I think it's about the lack of Christmas spirit in our village. Because, despite the crisis, we should not lose heart and believe in the good!“

"Yes, it's really not easy for me either," confirmed Ibee sadly, who knew from her own experience from family friends how difficult the current situation was for her.

"But it really lifts the spirits to see this," agreed Martha Sanna.

 

"What's that about?" Collins asked, because the women were blocking his view of the sphere and he couldn't contain his curiosity any longer.

Kate stepped aside with a mocking grin.

"Hey, Tom, you can see that you don't have any Christmas decorations yet," Martha picked him up.

"That's rubbish! I do not do things like that! I won't take part in that!"

“But your children were hooked and enthusiastic. What a pity. The poor little ones. I hope you didn't spoil the children's surprise at your stubbornness?"

Sanna's voice sounded so reproachful that he actually skidded for a moment and dropped his eyes in embarrassment before he could control himself again. "Of course not! What kind of father would I be then?” he hissed back spitefully.

Sanna smiled mockingly. "What kind of father are you now if you can't hang up and display your artwork?"

"Oh, that woman!" he snarled, clenching his fists between clenched teeth. "Just leave me and my family and parenting methods alone! Once and for all! Understood?"

Sanna kept smiling. She was certain that the events in the sphere would eventually affect Tom Collins and his defences. "Don't worry, I won't bother you any further, my friend."

He gave her a venom-spitting look. Even her polite confirmation that she would leave him alone made his bile boil over. In his opinion, it was just another provocation to drive him crazy. He had no idea how right he was about that.

He only realized that when Sanna turned back to his colleagues and said flatteringly: “I have to go to class now. I'll leave you here. You'll see, it gets even better."

"No, of course not!", he dismissed hastily. His face was already red with anger.

Kate O'Brian shook her head at him blankly. "Now don't be like that, Tom! You almost have to be ashamed of yourself!”, she called him to reason. “Of course we keep the ball here. They can come and pick you up at any time, Sanna.”

She nodded with a happy grin. "Many Thanks. Then see you then. Merry Christmas.” As a joke, she also gave him a mocking wave.

Collins disappeared into his office and slammed the door.

 

***

 

Her joy at Christmas was truly contagious.

The houses became more colorful and more Christmassy with each passing day. And this in turn encouraged people to hang up even more fairy lights and even more decorations.

The village developed into a really nice little Christmas town.

 

And so has the village changed in the Christmas crystal ball that Susanna Maclaine had knowingly left at Kate O'Brian's church again. The crystal ball reflected the exact likeness of the Christmas Village each day. It was also unmistakable who was caught up in the Christmas spirit and who was not.

And it was also inevitable that Tom Collins would be constantly teased about it from then on:

"Tom, you still don't have any Christmas decorations on your house!"

"Tom, you're almost the last one who still doesn't have a Christmas decoration!" he was teased by his wives in the parish hall.

"Say, aren't you tired of being the last bore in our beautiful little town?"

"What do your children say when they have to see what's going on in the village and how beautifully decorated everything is?"

"And you forbid them everything? Are you still loved at home or just tolerated?”

 

When the mayor came up to him and urged him to do so, he could no longer avoid at least giving in publicly and joining the Christmas-loving villagers.

Not that he'd tampered with the Christmas decorations himself. He preferred to leave that to his wife Silvie and the children, who immediately after he gave his consent went about decorating and adorning the whole house with dedication. They didn't lack for decoration material, because Sanna had continued to make tree decorations, garlands and Christmas tree balls with them and had them spray pine cones with snow spray.

Only Collins could not enjoy all this. It boiled inside.

 

***

 

But that wasn't the end of Susanna Maclaine's ideas. Next, she brought the idea to the community to list the emails of all citizens and then distribute this list to all residents.

Her face was shiny and she was brimming with enthusiasm as she explained why: “…so that those who want it can communicate with each other via chat or Skype. Then they wouldn't feel quite so lonely over the holidays. If you don't want to, you don't have to answer. But anyone who wants and needs it should be able to do it, even if it's just a greeting or a kind word. It would certainly be a great opportunity for some to stay connected and connected with people in the community. So that nobody has to be lonely these days.”

Her euphoria was contagious here too. This suggestion also found acceptance and approval in the community and then among the people and was widely used even before the holidays.

 

Sanna also had a solution ready for the cancellation of the Klausentag.

St. Nicholas came to the children virtually via the Internet on December 6th. After the Fersli recitation, they found a present in front of the front door.

 

***

 

So everyone found their Christmas spirit. And Collins children willy-nilly return to the belief in Santa Claus.

Even Tom Collins finally got his Christmas spirit back. Because the sleigh with Santa Claus landed on his roof of all places.

The children woke to the sound of the reindeer's hooves and the sled's landing. It was immediately clear to them that this could only have one cause.

Mark stormed outside as fast as he could.

While her brother remained rooted to the spot because he could hardly believe it, the girl shook her sleeping father's shoulders. "Dad, come with me! You have to see this!"

"Hey, Tom! Wake up! What is that?” Silvie also woke up and slipped into her bathrobe.

Drowsy, he sat up on his forearm. "What is it, Claudia?"

"There was a rumble."

Collins looked confused at his daughter's troubled face. "What do you mean by that?"

"Well, the noise. From the Santa Claus movie! Hurry, Dad, or you'll miss it!” As soon as he said it, the girl shot past him at the front door.

"What is?"

"Something weird, Tom. The kids think it's Santa," she called back over her shoulder, running after the kids to protect them from any danger. 

A bit awkwardly, Collins stumbled after them in his pajama bottoms and jacket outside into the garden. The snow was ankle-deep and trickled coldly into his slippers.

 

Mark pointed up, eyes shining, hand outstretched.

Tom's eyes widened in surprise and his mouth dropped open. His jaw dropped, he couldn't do anything about it. For two seconds he had the feeling his heart stopped.

"Oh my gosh! Santa! Santa Claus! He really does exist!” he stuttered in astonishment after he had found his voice again. "His sled is on our roof!" He almost squeaked with excitement.

His son Mark put a reassuring hand on his arm. "It's okay Dad, calm down. You just repressed the child in you.”

 

They all turned hastily as a noise inside made them spin around.

There Santa Claus stood in the living room with his big sack and put the presents under the Christmas tree.

But the next moment he was back on the roof with his reindeer, put the sack on the back seat and got into the sleigh.

Tom hurried around the house across the porch so as not to miss the departure. His gaze was directed upwards at Santa Claus. So he overlooked the low-hanging roof beam. He hit him in the forehead and knocked him off his feet. With a splash, Collins landed unconscious on his back in the snow while the reindeer took off in their sleigh to land on the nearest rooftop.

 

*

 

Sanna was also woken up by the magic crystal ball with the melody Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.

She had inexplicably fallen asleep on the sofa that night.

When she opened her eyes, Santa was standing in her living room. He had just put one last package under the Christmas tree.

"Hohoho," he said, straightening up and turning to face her. "Merry Christmas, Sanna."

"Merry Christmas, Santa." She peeled herself out from under the covers and stood up. She shook her head in disbelief, but she was beaming. "Incredible. I am very pleased. You exist!”

"Did you mean not?"

"I'm already thirty."

"Yeah yeah, the world doesn't believe like it used to," he nodded.

"I am so sorry. But it's nice that I was wrong.” She went to the dresser, took the magic crystal ball from there and held it out to him. "This is probably yours, Santa Claus. I assume you want her back. It served its purpose here and performed the miracle.”

“Yes yes, Christmas is a time of magic. Miracles can happen.” He smiled at her as he took the snow globe back in his gloved hands.

"Thank you, Santa Claus. For allowing me to help bring about this miracle. It was a great feeling to help. And the best, most fulfilling Christmas I've ever had. I thank you for this gift. I will carry it in my heart forever. I'm sure the children will never forget you either."

"And our mutual friend Tom," he grinned mischievously. He looked at the magic sphere, which instead of showing a desolate little town now showed a small real Christmas town, decorated with fir branches, poinsettias, baubles and adorned with thousands upon thousands of little lights. A really small magical town.

"Merry Christmas, Sanna."

"I wish you the same, Santa. All the best on all your travels. Goodbye."

"Bye, Sanna."

 

She hurried out while he was already mounting the sled on the roof and waved to him again.

He slapped the reins gently on the sleigh, calling each of his reindeer by name.

The brave animals pulled up and galloped off.

The sled came off the roof and took off.

"Hohoho!" he yelled at her from his sleigh with a final wave as he set off again with his reindeer. "Merry Christmas. And good night to you all!”

She watched him rush off into the sky, Santa Claus and his team. Turned one last turn to say goodbye and then flew away. In front of the moon, they took the fork to the right, then disappeared into the darkness.

And Sanna knew that she would get the Christmas spirit going again next year.

 

*

 

Silvie Collins held Mark and Claudia in her arms. She couldn't believe it herself. They were still staring up at the star-studded sky when Santa Claus with his sleigh and reindeer was long gone.

"Come in, children, there's nothing more to see," she directed the two back to the patio door, because she was suddenly shivering in her dressing gown.

 

"What happened?" Tom Collins straightened up and felt for the bump on his forehead he'd picked up on the roof beam as they passed him.

Worried Silvie knelt down to him and helped him up. "You hit your head."

He was rubbing the back of his neck from whiplash as he struggled to his feet. "Did I really just experience that earlier? Or was it all just a dream?”

"Come on Dad, unwrap presents!" Mark called out to him, who was striving back to the warmth and especially the presents that Santa Claus had brought them.

They started moving. As a precaution, Silvie had hooked him under her arm to give him better support.

"Will it be like this every Christmas now, Dad?" Claudia asked hopefully under Mark's vigorous nod.

Tom exchanged a quick look with Silvie before finally confirming: "Yes, kids, why not. From now on it will be like this every year and there will be a merry Christmas.”

Silvie gave him a grateful nod and smiled as we walked on. "Merry Christmas, Tom," she said.

He returned her smile with a warm look. "Merry Christmas, Silvie."

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year

 

All the best and stay or get healthy

Ursula Gerber

 

You can find more stories and information about my hobby at:

 

Federlesen.com

 

as well as on my private website:

 

ursula-gerber.jimdo.com