A Post-Christmas Story
By Melo Villaroman Jr.
There was an orphan who wrote a touching letter to Santa. “Dear Santa”, he wrote, “my heart wishes for 2 things this Christmas. First, I hope you can give me a small, red bicycle, that with support trainer wheels at the rear, for I do not have a father to teach me how to ride it. And second, Santa, I wish I could know the real identities of my Papa and Mama, for my friends in the orphanage always tease me that I never had parents, that I was borne out of foul-smelling air.” That night, angels woke the boy up from his slumber. “Come”, they said, “your wishes have been heard. Go get check your presents under the Christmas tree!”. The young kid ran downstairs, went under the lighted pine tree at the center of the orphanage living room, and sifted through all the boxes, watching out for that big one that might contain his bike. After all the rummaging, the orphan’s shoulders formed into a shrug, for he found not a huge container but a tiny wooden box the size of 2 matchboxes, his name silver-engraved on it. His initial disappointment turning into curiosity, the little boy unwrapped his tiny present, and found inside, a folded piece of antiquated paper that opened up into an elaborate roadmap. Instructions at the bottom of the document read, “Travel this map and be led to your greatest gift!”
The angels around him said, “Do not be afraid, little one, we shall travel with you.” So he set off with his winged guardians to a long journey, faithfully following the roadmap in his hand. Along the way, he was either looking at the map, or securing the map close to his chest, the old paper almost crumbling from the beat of his excited, fiery heart. He was a bit tired, but never afraid, as if something, someone was guiding and cheering him on, more than the angels around him. Reaching near the journey’s end, the little boy found himself at the foot of massive doors that swung open to reveal the biggest toy factory in the universe – Santa’s giant workshop! Jaw a-dropping, and heart a-thumping, little orphan’s eyes could not believe the wonder and colors of toys around him. Santa welcomes him, sits him on his lap, and gleefully whispers to him, “Because you are special, you can choose any bike you want from all that you see in here.” The orphan asks, while pointing to something shimmering and gliding through the air, “You mean, even that red one that flies!” The jolly old bearded guy says, “Ho, Ho, certainly so!” And even before Santa could say another word, the red, flying bike dove, hovered, then settled itself down in front of its new ecstatic owner.
As the young one climbed into his new toy, Santa gushed, “By the way, kid, I want to tell you a very simple secret.” “What is it, Santa?”, inquires the boy. “You know, son, the best things in life...are NOT things. So I will go to your second wish, and introduce you to your real parents. Isn’t this your second wish, to know their real identities?” The orphan says, “Yes, Santa, and you are right! That to me is more important than anything I could ever receive in my life, even more important than this flying bike.” Well, then”, Santa’s booming voice replies, “your real parents take care of you everyday, every minute, every moment. Your Papa also happens to be the best boss in the world!” “I should know”, Santa continues, because I report to him every day.” God the Father appears, resplendent and glorious in His throne, and with the most powerful yet most loving voice the boy has ever heard, speaks, “My child, my favoured one, I am your real Father, and I love you very much. Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” And then the Lady beside her, most beautiful, with the sweetest smile and voice so immaculate, approaches the boy, carries his frail body unto her arms, and kisses him on the forehead. She says, “I am your Mother. I walk and pray with you everyday. I was even beside you as you travelled to this place.” “My child” , the Madonna continued, “when your friends go about teasing you again, proudly yet lovingly tell them who your true Papa and Mama are. Tell them you are not really an orphan, that they are not really orphans, that they are so much loved, that they should never be afraid!”
That was the orphan’s best Christmas ever. The roadmap led him to his greatest gift!
FOOTNOTE: We in CFC wake up to 2012, blessed with our one CFC Roadmap (attached), a fruit of deep prayer by the International Council coupled with intense listening to the discernment and inputs of leaders and members of our Community! It is the Spirit’s gift and leading – a roadmap that will guide us towards the vision the Lord desires for His people – to be disciples continuing the mission of Christ and sharing in the fullness of His life, to be families in the Holy Spirit renewing the face of the earth! The love of our Father will guide us, and our Mother will pray and walk with us. The Holy Spirit will keep us on-fire. We will proclaim the greatness of the Lord. We will not be afraid.
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