This is what I said to my little (kitty) boy...
Dearest Flyser! ... yes, it's "that time again", but you know, Little One, it should be "that time" all the time, all year long. Yes, Sandy Claws will be coming, and he brings goodies to all the goods kiddens. But it's harder on the kiddens what's don'ts gots a mommy or daddy a loves them. So, maybe you could think real hard, and ask that Sandy Claws and the Man he reports to, to watch extra carefully over the homeless kiddens.
Remember the box I have? (pulls box out of the pile of things that have come in from the garage), you know, the one with the animals and the people in it? Well, it's time for that, too. Here (makes soft spot for Flyser! on bathrobe skirt), you can help me. Your nephews have never seen this box before. Would you like to help me tell them the Story? (takes lid off box) ...
Let's see ... A long time ago, when a man called Herod was the king of Judea, God sent one of his angels (pulls an angel out of the box, and a figure of a young girl) to a young lady named Mary. The angel gave Mary a message, that she was going to have a Baby. Not just any baby, but GOD's Baby. Mary didn't quite understand how this could be, because she wasn't even married, but the angel told her not to worry about it, God would take care of everything. He always *does* you know ... (rubs kitty ears). Mary told her boyfriend Joseph all about this, but she really had nothing to worry about (pulls a young man figure out of the box) because that same angel had also visited with *him* and told him that it would all be okay, and that he should marry Mary right away. Which he did.
They had to go to Bethlehem to pay their taxes, and by that time it was pretty cold out (puts white cotton for snow around the wooden barn). Mary and Joseph arrived in town late at night, and couldn't find any hotel rooms. But one nice man said they could sleep in the barn with the animals (takes out cow, donkey, and some sheep, puts them in the barn). And sometime in the night, God's Son was born (mama unwraps Baby), and because Mary didn't have anywhere ELSE to put Him, she wrapped him up nice and warm, and put him in the cow's food dish. The cow didn't seem to mind, and the other animals huddled close to provide more warmth.
Now, off on the hillside outside of town there were other men called shepherds, who were taking care of their sheep. It was a lot of work to watch out for the sheep, because there were 'yoties, and wolves, and other things that would attack the sheep at night if someone wasn't paying attention. There was a dog, too, running about, keeping the sheep all bunched together (unwraps sheep, dog, shepherds, puts them along the side of the fireplace mantle, where the "hillside" should be).
Remember that angel? (pulls angel from under Flyser!’s paw) ... well, he came back again, and this time he visited with the shepherds. He told them not to be afraid, but to go right away into town, and go to see the new Baby that was in the barn, sleeping in the cow's food dish. The angel explained that this Baby was to be the Saviour, Christ the Lord. (Mama moves some of the shepherds and a few sheep toward the barn.)
Can you remember what happens next? (Flyser! noses in the box and paws at a large, lumpy figure). That's right, sweetheart, (kisses he widdle nose), there were three very wise men, kings of other countries, who had heard about all this, and had seen the star in the East that told them this had come to be. They got on their camels, and headed off to Bethlehem to see for themselves. They had presents, too. One had Gold, signifying the wealth and riches due to a king; the second was frankincense, which is stuff that gets burned and makes smoke ... some people believe that one's prayers go to heaven, carried along on the smoke; and the third was myrrh, which was a very costly ointment used when great kings were buried. All three of these gifts represented things that would happen someday.
(Mama finishes putting all the figures beside the barn, Flyser paws at one small bundle still in the box. With a soft chuckle, mama continues ...)
Ah! You remembered! Yes, that is "Sandy Claws". And see, he's kneeling at the Baby's side, as He sleeps in the cow's food dish! That's to remind you of the story of how many, many years later, Santa was trying to get all the toys ready for the Big Ride. But he'd slipped on some ice, and broke his leg. He was all upset, when there came a knock at the door. When Mrs. C opened the door, there was a young boy, who said he'd come to help out if he could, that his dad had been a carpenter, and that's he'd learned a lot from his dad. Santa figured he didn't have much choice, so he let the kid go out to the workshop and help.
Not too long after that the toys were all finished, in record time, no less, and it was about time for the Big Ride. But the doctor had other ideas, he said ABSOLUTELY NOT, Santa could NOT go. The boy heard this, and said he'd kind of figured that the doc would say that, so he'd fashioned a special seat on the sled, so Santa could put his foot up on a nice soft pillow. He said to the doctor "See, that way he wouldn't have to hurt his leg, and I could do all the deliveries while Santa drove the sleigh." Doc thought about it, and said it was okay, as long as Santa stayed off his feet.
Mrs. C fixed up some extra sandwiches and cookies, and the elves packed in all the toys and presents while Santa checked his list - twice ~ to be sure they had everything. And before you knew it, off they went.
With the two of them ... the work was all accomplished in record time. Santa turned to the boy and said "I don't know who you are, or where you came from but you sure saved the day. Is there anything I can do for YOU?"
The boy said he'd like to show Santa the place where he was born. Santa agreed, and the boy took the reins. But it had been a busy night, and Santa soon was asleep.
But after a bit he realized the sleigh wasn't moving any more, and the reindeer were munching on some hay that had been put down for them. The boy was no where in sight, but ahead there was a barn, with a soft glow coming from it. Santa heard the boy call out "In here, Santa ..."
Without thinking about it he hopped out of the sleigh, forgetting about his leg. Then it dawned on him that it was all better, and didn't hurt at all. How curious! He hurried into the barn, and that's when he saw....
..... Mary, and Joseph, and the Baby who was sleeping in the cow's food dish. "Santa, this is where I was born." Santa snatched off his hat, knelt down, and worshipped the Son of God.
So you see, Little One, though Sandy Claws brings presents to good kiddens, even he remembered that Christmas is Christ's birthday. That's the time we remember the bestest Gift ever ... the one God gave to all of us, even though we didn't deserve it. It should remind us that we should try harder to think about other people instead of ourselves, and try to be worthy of all we've been given.
(mama gathers up all the wrappings, and puts the box away, leaving Flyser! alone with his thoughts ....)
