Christmas Memory

Letter to the Editor, The Jimplicute, Scott City, MO 63754

Thursday, December 29, 1983

Dear Editor:

It was the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring but a small mouse.  This is the time delightful to the hearts of children.  It was Santa Claus time.

A strange thing happened on Christmas Eve when I was looking forward to a visit from Santa Claus.  It was just a the break of day, my father was up and stirring the fire in the stove so the room would be cozy for all the Christmas joy.  A loud knock came at the front door.  I was wide awake and wondered who could be there at that time in the morning.  I thought it could be Santa.  I listened.  I heard a voice coming through the darkness.  “Please may I come in?” he said, “ I am so cold and hungry.  I have climbed these icy hills all through the night.” 

My father said, “Come and warm yourself by the fire.”

My brother and I were in the greatest awe of this mysterious stranger.  We wondered, “Could this be the Santa Claus?”  Would we get up and see him?  I looked and looked at the man.  I turned to my brother and said, “If that is Santa, he has no pack.”

The stranger came into the room and chose the big chair by the chair to sit down, and then I saw he had sat on a bag of candy.  I knew it was candy meant for me.  I was disturbed about that.

Soon breakfast was ready and mother invited the man to eat with us.  She had been busy for some time before preparing sausages and hot cakes for our Christmas breakfast.  The stranger became happy when he saw the good meal set before him.  He was jolly and began to talk.  “I saw the Christmas tree in your back window and decided this would be the place to get help.” 

My mother said, “The children wanted the Christmas tree in the back window so the animals of the barnyard would see it.  However, I am curious how you could see it from the front of our house.” 

He seemed a little embarrassed but answered, “I guess I saw it through your front windows or maybe I was just walking around the house looking in.  I don't remember.”

My father said, “You don't seem to have your story straight.” 

The man said no more, but he really enjoyed the meal.

After breakfast and some more talking, he said it was time for him to go.  My mother gave him a lunch to take on his journey.  We bid him goodby and as he went down the lane, he turned and waved and said, “Merry Christmas.”

Later that Christmas morning the family attended the Christmas service which was held at the church near our home. 

The visit of the mysterious stranger that came to our home on Christmas morning hungry and cold and needing help will always remain a strange happening in my life.

Sincerely, Edna Drexler

This story probably took place in 1895 or 1896.