We huddled around in front of the cherry-red door with a green wreath, eagerly awaiting the houses occupants to come to our summons. The night was bright with colored lights glistening on the snow. I wore my festive red hat that said Happy Holidays to fight off the cold. The candle I held in a bottle revealed my smiling face as the door swung open and we released our excited energy into the night.
You’d better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout I’m telling you why—Santa Clause is coming to town!
The family stood happily as we spread our joy, and my fellow enthusiasts sang boldly—even if a little off-key. But something was missing, something that I couldn’t place.
Everything seemed there, the family, the lights, the snow, the decorations; even from the door I could see a decorated tree sheltering the colorful packages that awaited tomorrow’s activities. But still something felt missing. Even as I sang from the booklet that was handed to me, something seemed wrong.
A darkness clouded over my mind, an imposing thought that I had forgotten something. Even as I sang the chorus, my thoughts had already faded away from the snowy street. I don’t know how long my mind wandered before I recognized the silence. My voice was the only one singing, and the cheery lights that had brightened the night had melted away.
When light returned, it was a sort of calm twilight instead of the jubilant ones that I had seen moments ago. There wasn’t any sign of the suburban neighborhood I had been in, instead, it was a quiet country side with brick buildings. Unsure of what else to do, I went towards them.
I saw a family arguing with some men in metal armor on horses in front of a tan house. I shouted to them, but they didn’t hear me. The conversation turned ugly, and while I was unsure what they said, I knew the situation wasn’t good.
As if to prove my thoughts, the soldiers tore away a young man from the family, shouted something or another, and started galloping towards me. In the fright I was in, I didn’t move, and I was shocked when the soldiers rode through me as if I wasn’t even there.
I panicked for a moment, confused by what was happening, but my attention was caught by something else. Crying. When I looked back to the family, they were on their knees weeping. The only times they raised their heads was when they looked up to the sky to say something that I completely couldn’t understand.
When I reached out for them to ask them what was happening, my hand passed through them. I spent the next several minutes screaming, unsure of what happened to me, all the while the family cried on.
We could not speak, they could not see me, yet I still felt a connection to these people. We were utterly hopeless, and I’m sure they couldn’t imagine the situation to be any worse either.
I don’t know how long we all sat in the dirt, bemoaning our state, but then I heard singing from one of the women with them. I’m not sure what she said, but her words were beautiful and it wasn’t long before her family united their voices in her dirge.
I nearly wanted to join them, like when you start singing a song that you hear because it describes exactly what you’re feeling. But with the exception of the occasional word Israel, I didn’t understand a single word, let alone know them. So, I let the family sing alone. Until I had my urge to sing with them was overpowering.
I opened the song book and the pages fluttered in the wind. When I eventually wrestled the the book into submission, I found that I was looking at an unusually crisp page that contained what seemed to perfect song. Then, lifted my voice up to join my companions.
Oh come, oh come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel. Who mourns in lonely exile here, until the son of God appears. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, oh Israel.
My voice started low, but it gradually rose in volume as I realized it didn’t matter who heard me—in fact, if anyone had heard me I probably would’ve stopped just to dance with joy. I had heard the song before, but it had always just been one I heard around Christmas. I never really appreciated it, or what it said, but I understood it now. It was a cry for help, and I desperately wanted help.
As I finished the last lyric, the world around me again turned dark. I was more aware of it this time, but also more scared. I hoped that it had been a dream and now I was waking up. When it didn’t become light again, I began worrying that something else happened to me—something a bit more… permanent. When I spotted twinkling dots above me, I was more than a little relieved. Where ever I was, it was night again.
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I realize this isn't really on time for Christmas, but I hope you all liked this entry anyway. It was originally going to be one big post, then I saw how long it was and decided to be lazy so I'm releasing it in three or four blogs--aren't I evil? I'm having fun with this and am interested to see how much I enjoy doing blogs that have more then one part. Tell me what you think about me doing series entries, and if you have friends that love Christmas music share this blog with them. I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Image Source: http://www.nicenfunny.com/2010/12/christmas-superstitions-and-traditions.html#axzz3waaHfqbS