Every Christmas our family reads Christmas stories throughout the month of December. Then when it is the 12 days of Christmas we read all 12 days as a count down. This year I thought I would share some of the Christmas stories we have read.
Annie and Willie's Prayer
Twas the eve before Christmas, goodnight had been said, and Annie and Willie had crept into bed. There were tears on their pillows and tears in their eyes, and each little bosom was heaving with sighs, for tonight their stern Father's command had been given that they should retire precisely at seven instead of at eight; for they troubled him more with questions unheard of than ever before.
He told them he thought this delusion a sin-no such thing as Santa Claus ever had been. And he hoped, after this, he would never more hear how he scrambled down chimneys with presents each year.
And this was the reason that two little heads so restlessly tossed on their soft, down beds. Eight, nine and the clock in the steeple toiled then; not a word had been spoken by either till then. When Willie's sad face from the blanket did peep, and whispered, "Dear Annie, is you fast asleep?"
"Why, no, brother Willie," a sweet voice replied, "I've tried in vain, but I can't shut my eyes, for somehow it makes me so sorry because dear Papa said there is no Santa Clause. Now, we know that there is, and it can't be denied, for he came every year before Mama died. But then I am thinking that she used to pray, and God would hear everything Mama would say. And perhaps she asked him to send Santa Clause here with the sacks full of presents he brought every year."
"Well, why can't we pray just as Mama did then and ask him to send him with presents again?" "I've been thinking so too," and without a word more, four little bare feet bounded out on the floor. Four little knees the soft carpet pressed, and two tiny hands were clasped close to each breast. "Now, Willie, you know we must firmly believe that the presents we ask for we're sure to receive, you must wait just as still till I say "amen," and by that you will know that your turn has come then.
"Dear Jesus, look down on by brother and me, and grant us the favor we are asking of Thee." I want a wax dolly, a tea set and ring, and an ebony work box that shuts with a spring. Bless Papa, dear Jesus and cause him to see that Santa Clause loves us far better than he. Don't let him get fretful and angry again at dear brother Willie and Annie. Amen!"
"Please, Jesus, let Santa Claus turn down tonight, and bring us some presents before it is light. I want he should have me a nice little sled with bright shinny runners and all painted red; a box full of candy, a book and a toy, then Jesus, I'll be a good boy. Amen."
Their prayers being ended, they raised up their heads, and with hearts light and cheerful again sought their beds. They were soon lost in slumber, both peacefully and deep, and with fairies in dreamland were roaming in sleep.
Eight, nine and the little french clock had struck ten, ere the father had thought of his children again; he seems now to hear Annie's suppressed sighs, and to see the big tears stand in Willie's blue eyes. "I was harsh with my darlings," he mentally said, and should not have sent them so early to bed, but then, I was troubled, my feelings found went for bank stock today had gone down ten per cent. But, of course, they've forgotten their troubles ere this, and that I denied them the thrice-asked for kiss. But just to be sure I'll steal up to their door, for I never spoke harsh to my darlings before." So saying, he softly ascended the stairs and arrived at the door to hear both of their prayers. His Annie's "Bless Papa" draws forth the big tears, and Willie's grave promise falls sweet on his ears. "Strange, strange, I'd forgotten" he said with a sigh, "How I longed when a child to have Christmas draw night. I'll atone for my harshness," he inwardly said, "By answering their prayers ere I sleep in my bed."
Then he turned to the stairs, and softly went down, threw off velvet slippers and silk dressing-gown, donned hat, coat and boots and was out in the street, a millionaire facing the cold, driving sleet.
Nor stopped then until he had bought everything from a box full of candy to a tiny, gold ring. Indeed, he kept adding so much to his store that the various presents outnumbered a score. Then homeward he turned with his holiday load, and with Aunt Mary's aid in the nursery was stowed. Miss dolly was seated beneath a pine tree, by the side of a table spread out for a tea. A work box well filled in the center was laid, and on it the ring for which Annie had prayed. A solider in uniform stood by a sled, with bright shining runners and all painted red. There were balls, dogs and horses, look pleasing to see. And birds of all colors were perched in the tree; while Santa Claus, laughing stood upon the top, as if getting ready more presents to drop.
And as the fond father, the picture surveyed, he thought for his trouble he had amply been paid, and he said to himself, as he brushed off a tear, I'm happier tonight than I've been for a year. I've enjoyed more true pleasure than ever before, what do I care if bank stocks falls ten percent more? Hereafter, I'll make it a rule, I believe, to have Santa Clause visit us each Christmas Eve. So thinking, he gently extinguished the light, then tripped down the stairs to retire for the night.
As soon as the beams of the bright morning sun put the darkness to flight and the stars one by one, four little blue eyes out of sleep opened wide, and at the same moment the presents they spied. Then out of their beds they sprang with a bound, and the very gifts prayed for were all of them found. They laughed and they cried in their innocent glee and shouted for Papa to come quick and see what presents old Santa Clause brought in the night. Just the things that they wanted and left before light.
"And now," added Annie, in a voice soft and low, "You'll believe there's a Santa Clause, Papa, I know." While dear little Willie climbed up on his knee, determined no secret between them should be. And told in soft whispers how Annie had said that their dear, bless Mama so long ago dead, used to kneel down and pray by the side of their chair, and that God in Heaven had answered her prayer!
"Then we got up and prayed just as well as we could, and God answered our prayers now wasn't he good!" "I should say that He was if He sent you all these and knew just what presents my children would please." (Well, well, let him think so, the dear little elf, would be cruel to tell him I did it myself.)
Blind father! Who caused your proud heart to relent; and the hasty words spoken so soon to repent! "I was Lord Jesus who bade you steal softly upstairs, and made you his agent to answer their prayers.
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