Késsinnimek - Roots - RacinesHOW SANTA CLAUS CAME TO BE
by Louise Dubrule
by Louise Dubrule
(This story originally came from Grant Kimbell, a kindly gentleman who worked as desk clerk of the YMCA where I was employed as a secretary over fifty years ago. He had been an up-and-rising opera star until a sudden illness took his magnificent voice and left him with a gravelly throat. He told this story at every Christmas party, and he presented it with a great deal of passion and animation. I've never forgotten it, or him.)
Many, many years ago, a little baby was born in a manger, and this baby was destined to be the promised Redeemer. The important news went out over the world, and all the people were excited and wanted to see this special baby.
In the far northern regions there lived a kind old man and his loving wife. They heard the news, too, and they wanted to be among those who went to greet the new child. However, they were advanced in age and they had very little money. It was decided that only the man would make the long trek and the wife would remain at home to tend to the few chickens and the cow.
The subject of a gift was discussed. What could they possibly give that would be appropriate for such an occasion? Surely, people would be bringing the finest that money could buy, but they truly had no funds to purchase anything comparable. Finally, the old man went to the root cellar and came back with a large apple and he began to wipe it gently.
"What are you doing?" asked the wife.
"I'm making it look as good as I possibly can," he replied, as he rubbed the apple until the red skin gleamed like a ruby. He turned it over and over in his gnarled hands to make sure that it was polished evenly.
"And what are you going to do with it?" she asked.
"I'm going to take it to the new child as a gift," he said softly.
"You silly man," she cried. "What are you thinking of? You'll be the laughing stock!"
"Wife," he said, "I'm doing what everyone else is doing: I'm taking the best of what I have. Now, pack me some bread and some cheese, for I have a long journey ahead of me." With that, he went out to harness his reindeer to the simple sled.
It took many days for the old man to reach the place where the new baby and his parents were. As his wife had predicted, there were many people there and they were all holding magnificent gifts worthy of the new arrival. He approached the family timidly, holding out the perfect apple in his hands. Some of the visitors laughed at him. His wife had been right about everything.
Just then the baby awoke in his mother's arms and his eyes beheld the shining apple. He reached out a tiny hand and he smiled and gurgled happily. The mother took the fruit from the old man and held it closer for her child to see. Everyone gasped.
Then a solemn voice was heard saying "You have made my Son very happy by bringing him this beautiful apple. You have brought him a gift that represents the best of Heaven and earth. Well done. As you have made my Son happy, so you must make all the other children of the world happy."
"But, but…" stammered the man. "How can I do that?"
"There is a way," answered the voice. "Every night you will travel around the world and visit every child."
"Every night?" the man repeated. "Forgive me, but I'm just one old man and I can't possibly do this every night."
"Perhaps that is too much," said the voice. "So you shall do this task one night a year, as a remembrance of the joy you brought my Son. Can you do this?"
"I can try," replied the old man. "One night a year, on the anniversary of His birth, I will make the journey you propose, and I will visit every child in the world."
"Thank you," said the voice. "Your humility and your generous heart will be rewarded. I promise that you and your reindeer will be beloved."
And so they are.
Késsinnimek - Roots - Racines
Copyright © 2003 & 2004 & 2005 & 2006 & 2007 Norm Léveillée
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Created 1 Feb 2003