It was Christmas Eve about 23 years ago . . .

We had traveled by train to Grandma’s house to celebrate the season.  Just 3 years old, he had fun climbing up into the attic, finding the Christmas tree and decorations.  He helped his Daddy put up the tree, and he laughed and smiled as we helped decorate it. 

Later that evening, we all piled into Grandpa’s big car, and went to church for a candle light Christmas Eve service.  He stood on the pew as we all stood and sang, bowing his head and clasping his hands tightly as we all prayed together in thanksgiving for all we have been blessed with.  He sat with reverence, as the communion plates were passed, and when the usher asked him if he knew what the communion items were for, he replied in a hushed voice, “don’t you know? It’s Jesus’ body and blood, ‘cause he loves us and wants us to love him”. At the end of the service, he held his own little candle still and smiling, as we all sang Silent Night.  The service ended and cookies and punch were enjoyed in the big room just off of the Church kitchen. 

Several people came by, shook his hand, admired his auburn hair, and asked him if he had been a good boy this year.  He nodded his head, with his cookie in his hand, and would often ask if they had been good too. 

Back at Grandma’s, everyone sat down in the dining room chairs that he had placed in a row, and he told the Christmas story using a huge coloring page that he had taped to the wall. 

Just before bed, in the middle of giving hugs to everyone, Grandma asked him what he wanted Santa to bring him . . . he cocked his head to the side, and with a very thoughtful look he said . . . “I would like a Rudolph puppet with a light up nose.”  There was nothing else that he wanted.  This made his Momma and Daddy, Grandma and Grandpa all look at each other with puzzled looks.  There had been no commercials for such a thing, it wasn’t the latest toy, or biggest thing on the market.  He had never been one to ask for anything for Christmas or his birthday for that matter, so to come up with something so specific, was rare, and no one wanted him to be disappointed. 

Grandma and Grandpa lived in a very small town in Wisconsin.  The type of town with the main street decorated with lanterns and wreaths.  At one end was a park with a little Red School House, and the other . . . a gazebo with lights and bows of greenery adorning it.  All of the shops were closed by 5pm, and other than one gas station, right by the interstate, nothing was 24 hours.  What could be done?

His Momma pulled out her bag, and began to look through it.  She had brought white tube socks, with green tops that she and B had made stockings for everyone out of.  One sock was left.  She also found a battery operated candle she had brought for B to use in the church service, which he hadn’t.  Holding the two items, she looked up, and saw that everyone else was smiling.  They knew the gauntlet of challenge had been cast down, and that she was not going to do anything less, but come up with a Rudolph puppet with a light up nose.  Daddy found some old batting in a cupboard, grandma brought her some scissors.  Grandpa found the sewing kit, while Momma found two green pipe cleaners and a marker in her bag.  She sat to work, cutting a little hole in the toe of the sock, and placed the top of the battery candle through it.  She glued some eyes on, and after bending them into the shape of antlers, she sewed the two green pipe cleaners onto the top of the reindeer head.  The batting was placed in the toe of the sock all around the candle that was the handle inside the puppet.  Only one thing was missing, till Grandma found some red fingernail polish . . . A few strokes of it on the top of the battery operated candle “nose”, made the transformation complete.  Then the big test . . . she twisted the handle and the newly painted red nose, lit up, and with that, a Rudolph puppet with a red nose had been made.  It was a funny looking, homemade attempt, but was the best that could be done with such short notice, with only items at hand.  The reindeer was placed in the top of his stocking, and everyone else finally went to bed. 

Christmas morning was a happy time, with B giving out big Christmas Hugs and Kisses to everyone.  Then, the moment came to open our stockings . . . B’s eyes lit up brightly as he found the homemade puppet.  He laughed and giggled, and when he twisted the candle’s bottom and Rudolph’s nose lit up, his smile was indescribable.  It was exactly what he had asked for.  Someone asked him if he was surprised.  His answer made everyone pause, “Nope.  It’s Jesus’ birthday, and God always knows what gifts to give.” 

Over the years, many gifts have been given, received, then passed on to others, but the Rudolph puppet with a light up nose, is packed away in a keepsake box.  It is a reminder that when loved ones come together, in the spirit of giving, even the most challenging requests and needs can be met.  As you give of yourself with the heart of Christmas, know that God will bless those gifts, and the hearts of those who receive. 

Merry Christmas