Christmas Magic ‘Twenty-Five Dollars’

I glanced nervously out the window. Snow was falling and it was getting late. It was Christmas Eve and I still hadn’t bought any gifts for my six small children. It had been a hard year with unexpected expenses, but in spite of that, I’d been able to save something - 25 single dollars.

Thinking I’d be able to stretch my meager amount, I had waited until the last minute. But time was running out and I was worried that the stores in our small town would close soon. Finally, my husband arrived and I was off.

I quickly drove downtown. Carols rang out from the loudspeaker on the city hall’s roof and the little lighted Christmas trees perched on the light stanchions sparkled brightly through the falling snow.

Everything looked so gay, so festive. But there was one problem. The stores were dark. I was too late. I bit back the tears. What would I do? How would I explain the empty space beneath our bare little tree?

I was about to turn and go home when I saw lights spilling from a store at the end of the street. I quickly pulled in front of it just as the lights went out. Oh no, I thought. He’s closing too. I jumped out of the car and ran to the door.

“Please,” I begged. “Could you stay open just a little longer? I don’t have gifts for my children and I don’t know what to do.”

He looked at me a moment, sighed, and with a tired smile opened the door and turned on the lights.

“What do you need?” he asked. I told him about my children and gave their ages. “But I only have $25,” I said. “I know that won’t buy much but I have to get something.”

“Well,” he said, “let’s see what we can do.” My eyes widened as he started piling things on the counter. Surely I wouldn’t have enough money and told him so.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “As you can see, most of the boxes have been damaged and I wouldn’t be able to get the full price.”

I noticed he had deliberately torn a few open. There were games, trucks, a little tea set, a pretty blond doll with a ruffled pink dress. He continued building the stack.

“There,” he finally said. “I think that takes care of everything.” He added a box of red-and-white candy canes and began making out the receipt.

My heart was pounding as I watched. I just knew I wouldn’t have enough money.

“Well how about that?” he said as he finished adding up the numbers. “It comes to exactly $25.”

I gasped. “You must have made a mistake,” I said. “Surely all this must cost more than that.”

“You’re doing me a favor taking the stuff,” he said. “Christmas will be over and I don’t want to be stuck with a bunch of useless toys.” He smiled self-consciously and I was sure there were tears in his eyes.

The snow had stopped falling as he helped load my car. When the last bag was safely stowed in the trunk, I turned and looked at him. Words failed me. How could I ever thank him, I thought as I put out my hand.

“Merry Christmas,” he said softly.

For a moment he stood holding my hand, then turned and went back into his store.

“Merry Christmas,” I whispered.

Many years have passed since that difficult Christmas, but I’ll always remember the kind gentleman who indeed made that one bright and merry.