Christmas Legacy

Christmas Legacy

Abby squinted as the sun reflected off of the walkway. Each step forward left a petite imprint behind. Reaching the old oak door with the small paned window perched up top, Abby knocked to let her grandmother know of her arrival. The door let out a creak as it opened, bringing Grandma into full view.

“Well, Abby, I’m so glad you made it. Come on in.” Before entering, Abby turned to wave goodbye to her mother sitting in the car.  

 Out of the cold, Abby hurried to the fireplace, its glow radiating. It didn’t take long for warmth to overtake the sting.  Once warm, she could contain her excitement no longer. 

“Grandma, can we please start decorating the tree?”

 “Of course we can!” 

The pair gingerly unfurled each of the boxes . 

Abby pulled out an ornament made of red and green plaid fabric, shaped like a teddy bear. A face had been drawn on it with a brown marker and a small red bow was sown around its neck.

“Look what I found!” 

Grandma smiled,“Oh yes, your mom made that when she was a teenager. She had just learned how to sew and she made Christmas presents for each person in our family.”

Abby’s mouth widened “Wow! I want to do that when I get older, too.”

They hung each ornament, varying in size, shape and story. Grandma stood back, hands on hips surveying the tree. The petite shadow mimicking her posture.

 “It’s so pretty, Grandma!”

“Yes, it is, but do you see this empty spot right here? I think we need to make an ornament to put there.” 

The bobbing of Abby’s head was all the answer Grandma needed. 

Within minutes the kitchen table was plastered with newspaper. Abby giggled as she painted two snowmen onto the globe, one with gray hair and another with fire engine red.  

“Grandma,our snowmen sure look funny.”

Grandma agreed, “Yes, but they are unique and no one will have an ornament just like this one.” 

 “Maybe someday, I will hang this ornament on my tree. I can tell my grandkids about the day I made it with you, grandma.”

“That sounds like a great plan. Would it make your story more fun if you got to tell your grandkids that you had homemade chocolate chip cookies after making that ornament?”  

“Oh yes Grandma, that would make the story so much better!”

The smell of chocolate swirled in the air as Abby ate her cookie. The milk she paired with it delighted her taste buds.

The paint on the ornament was now dry, as they placed it on the tree, lights shimmered off of the round masterpiece.

 “We have one last thing that we need to do, Abby, wait here and I’ll be right back.” Grandma exited the room and quickly returned with one last unopened box. Inside sat a ceramic nativity set.

“Let’s see, we have the shepherds and some sheep. We have an angel watching over the family. Then here, we have Mary and Joseph surrounded by animals.”

“Lastly, we have…hmm… Who is this Abby?” 

“Grandma, you know who that is, that’s Jesus!”

“You’re right Abby. Good job!”

“Why did we put the nativity on the ground, grandma? Isn’t that where the presents go?”

 “I like to put my nativity there to help me remember the real reason for Christmas.”

“Grandma, it’s a good thing we didn’t put your nativity on the piano, you would have forgotten all about Christmas.”

“Well, I think I would still have remembered it was Christmas. But, I might have forgotten that the real reason for Christmas is Jesus.”

“Would you like to hear how the story of how Christmas began?”

“ Yes, please tell me the story”

Clasping her worn leather Bible, Grandma began reading from Luke chapter two. 

As grandma read, Abby snuggled on her lap, staring at the small manger.

Just as they finished the story,a knock came on the door. Abby’s mom had returned to pick her up.  

“ Mommy, mommy, I have so much to tell you.”

Grandma smiled, “ I think that means she had a good day.”

Mom laughed as the two started out the door, Grandma gave Abby one last hug and handed her a container filled with cookies. 

“ Thank you Grandma, I had the best day ever!”

Outside,each tree was trimmed with thick, powdery goodness. The wind blew slightly and tickled Abby’s nose, making her giggle. 

 “Mommy, can we put the nativity at the bottom of our Christmas tree? 

 Mom glanced at Abby, a smile on her face, memories from her childhood floating to the surface. 

 “Yes, Abby, I think that’s a great idea.”