My Story for Christmas

I was sitting here enjoying the snow we had in Abbotsford last week. We almost NEVER have snow and we had a dump of about 4 inches of it.  No one ever knows how to drive in this weather so I got a kick out watching them slide all over the place. Fortunately I didn't have to drive in it or I might have been mashed by someone else!

While I was enjoying the white stuff drift down I had a story idea come to me so I wrote it down.  It's not long but I thought you might enjoy it.

The Dragon's Christmas

by Terisa Brooks Mathes

It was a cold day and all of them were gathered around listening to the story of the first Christmas. It was a tradition they had welcomed from the little blue planet so far away. It was a holiday, celebrated every year on the same day. Although no one knew if the little blue planet celebrated it, these ones knew the special day meant something wonderful. They had felt it each and every year. There was kindness, hunting stopped, laughing, smiling, celebrations abounded. There was love in the air, there was compassion, and no one went hungry.

As the cave they were gathered in became warmer with their fiery breath, they settled into place. The Elder, the one who had come back from the little blue planet, was going to tell the story. To most it was their favourite part of the season. Others preferred the feasting, still others preferred the decorations, Kylee's appreciation was of the kindness everyone showed to each other; but all came and listened to the story every year.

Kylee was the youngest of the dragons. He was only a few hundred years old and as such was parented by all the older dragons but Kylee liked to spend time with the Elder. He told wonderful stories. Stories of his travels, stories of others that had been passed on to him, stories of those who had gone before. The Elder was very, very old possibly thousands of years. His teeth were no longer as sharp as they once were, his wings no longer stretched out as magnificently as they once did, his joints ached more and more with the passing cold seasons and someone had to hunt and bring him food. Traditionally this was the youngest dragon's task. That was left for Kylee and he loved doing it. He was always rewarded when the Elder (no one remembered his name anymore) told the stories.

Kylee gathered up the feast leftovers as the crowd settled down around the Elder. He would take them to the Elder after the story. The Elder would eat voraciously then sleep for a long, long time. Kylee wondered if he would someday be this old and have a young dragon looking after him the way he looked after the Elder. In the history of the dragons, there were none that had ever made it to the age of the Elder and the Elder was the only one left who had come back from the little blue planet that spawned such wonderful stories. Kylee hoped one day he might be able to travel there, but the Elder would not tell the secret of that kind of travel. Kylee was patient, he loved the Elder and would not rush him. It could wait but Kylee hoped the Elder would not go beyond without giving up the secret.

The Elder gathered up his wings and stretched them wide before the gathering. Although he could no longer stretch them as he had when he was young, it was still a magnificent sight to all who were there. The talking quieted, the shuffling stopped, all was still. It was the story time and no one would disrupt the telling. As the Elder settled down once more, sitting in a more regal position with his wings held slightly up to enhance the tale, all watched him. The whispery voice that could no longer roar spoke, “It is told on the little blue planet that there is a God who made everything and put beings on it. I don't know about the God, but I know about a special man whom it was told was God's son. He was a carpenter, a man who worked with wood. He didn't burn it like we do, he made things with it. I remember seeing some things worked with wood and they were marvelous. The man who raised the one I speak of made it and I kept it to show only on this day as we celebrate the season.”

The Elder pulled out a little wooden figure. Although his talons were massive he handled the wooden figurine gently, holding it up for all to see. A murmur went through the crowd. “It is beautiful!” some said admiringly, others just stared, drinking in the shape and intricacy of the figurine.

The Elder lowered the figurine and continued, “When I was young, I was brave and strong. I disguised myself as rocks, or a hill, or something that was ordinary to the beings on the planet. I watched those beings and was dismayed by the violence and hatred they revealed to me. There were, however, a few who spoke of this carpenter. I heard some of them say he was a great man and to hear him speak was like nothing anyone had ever heard before. I vowed to myself at that moment to hear this man. I wanted to know him, I wanted to hear his stories and see his works. He had to be special as those who spoke about him, spoke of his great kindnesses, his great works, and his miracles. Alas it was not to be. Those who were threatened by his words and ideas took him up and after much pain put him onto a cross like this one. He was to die there.”

The Elder reached behind him and pulled out a wooden cross, showing it to all who listened. It was not small, but for the dragons it wasn't large either. The crowd mumbled their dismay, as they did each year they heard the story. It was unsettling to them, the violence of the beings on this blue planet but having heard this story all their lives each year at this time they knew it always worked out in the end. The Elder put the cross on the ground, erecting it as it would have been when they put the man on it to die. He put the little wooden figurine down close to it and a great tear fell from the old dragons eye. He remembered the feeling of great sorrow as he watched the beings. He could see again in his mind the scene; the nails pounded in his hands and wrists to hold him to the cross. The despair of the crowd as they watched this special man die, and yet none did anything to stop it. The old dragon shed another tear and the dragons gathered around watched in silence, waiting for the old dragon to continue.

“It did not take long for the man to die. I was hiding on the hill where the cross stood, I didn't want to leave him there, but I could not risk the discovery of our kind for I knew myself and those with me would be destroyed so I simply watched with great sorrow.”

Here the Elder hesitated, waiting, simply waiting and not moving at all. He remembered the shame he felt as he watched and did nothing. The gathered dragons made no noise and did not move.

“I was sorry then that I did not save him. It was so heartbreaking, but this man told his father in the sky, their God, to forgive them. I was shocked at the unselfishness of this man who was in such great pain and dying. It changed me. He was willing to die for them to be saved when they too died. I heard this afterward from the men who had stayed with him during the last years of his life. They told of his coming back, his resurrection, of his going to be with his father in the sky, his God.” Again the Elder paused, remembering.

“It had started as a beautiful day. When the man died darkness came and there was much sorrow. When he appeared again, live and whole and well, it was again beautiful, but that is a story for another time. Today I tell you the story of his birth as those who walked with him told it.”

The dragons moved their wings with their excitement. They all knew the story, had heard it all their lives, and relished it each time it was told. The Elder signaled for quiet and continued, “Today we share a joyful moment as this is the birth story of a great man.”

Shifting, the Elder settled himself down further. His joints ached with the cold of the stone he lay upon and he wished he could have Kylee warm him, but the the story had to be told first. It was his story to tell until he chose another to take it over. It had been told for hundreds of years by the Elder and had affected the dragons world because of it. It was a kinder, gentler world. Dragon no longer fought dragon. It was now an inviolable principle to the dragons and they relished their world all the more for it.

The old dragon continued, his whispery voice more powerful than it had been for many years. “This youngling was born in a time of upheaval for the beings of this world. Wars were being fought, people were being oppressed, ordered around by others who would kill them if they did not obey. In this time the beings were traveling to the place of their birth to be counted. I heard that the ruling fellowship did this sometimes to see how many they had control over. The man who raised the carpenter had to bring his wife along even though she was expecting the youngling. She had an animal to carry her. I thought they would have eaten the animal, but they didn't, they simply traveled and she rode the animal.

When they got to the place of his birth there was nowhere for them to stay. The man and his wife looked for a place and were turned away until they found a place among the animals. The animals apparently didn't seem to mind if they stayed with them. It wasn't long before the woman birthed the youngling. It was at this time the star was passing overhead. It stayed above the youngling, in the sky, pointing the way for all to come see him. There were sky beings who were singing to him and telling others about his birth so they could worship him. It was a glorious moment and one the beings of this blue planet never forgot. This youngling was special and those who came to see him knew it.

The man and his wife accepted the gifts for their son and even Kings from afar came to see him. It was certain he was special. Then warriors came from a Ruler who was threatened by the youngling and the young family had to flee. I heard they went to the country of Egypt. I am not familiar with all of the places on the blue planet so I did not know where he went. I heard he did not return from that land until he was half grown.”

The Elder fell silent at this point, gazing into the distance, remembering what he had seen and felt when he had first heard this story. The crowd was silent and did not move, they too were enthralled with the tale. After what seemed a very long time, the Elder looked down at his audience.

“This child was special. Of that there is no doubt. I remember his name, and I only say it at this time of year.” With a reverence reserved for nothing else the dragon spoke his name; “Jesus”

The crowd bowed their heads in admiration. This special child had, in his own unknown way, brought peace to the dragons world as well. The stories of the kindness he had shown others, the gentleness and caring he taught to those around him. These were things that the Elder had brought back with him from the little blue planet. The other dragons who were with him had gone to the beyond in one way or another and only the Elder was left to tell the tale of this carpenter.

The Elder sat silently, reverent in his pose and, in his own way, still strong and brave. Although he would never again have the physical strength as he had once, a spiritual strength was still there for all to see.

Rising slowly from the story telling place he turned and delicately made his way to his warm spot in the cave. Kylee followed respectfully while the crowd silently dispersed, whispering softly. No one wanted to alter the feeling that prevailed.

“Warm me Kylee, my joints no longer can take this season's weather. Although it is my favourite season, my body betrays me and I cannot do what I used to.”

Kylee blew his flame at the sands under the older dragon, careful not to burn the tender spots where the scales had come loose. The Elder sighed in pleasure and relief. He appreciated Kylee's ministrations and had decided to name him his successor.

“Kylee, come here.”

Kylee was surprised, the Elder usually ate and then slept for a long time after the story telling, but this time he ate nothing and was not sleeping.

“I have decided to name you successor.”

Kylee didn't know what to say, but stood there with his mouth open, a small flame licking at the side of his mouth. He was thrilled, but why now? The Elder would be here for many, many more seasons, wouldn't he?

“I will tell you the secret of space travel but you must not reveal it to anyone. It is dangerous and must only be used by the most worthy. You have shown me compassion and kindness in everything you do. You take care of me when the others would be out having fun with their weyrmates. I am grateful and know that you will be a great and wise dragon someday.”

The Elder dragon described the way to travel through space from planet to planet. Kylee listened intently, drinking in every word. He would have to practice but the time would come when he could travel in space and he would go see this blue planet for himself. The Elder finished, having talked himself out. Slowly he put his great head down on the warm sands and closed his eyes. Kylee watched him carefully for awhile, watched his breathing, quiet and even, then slowly backed out of the room so he did not disturb the great dragon.

A short time later the Elder looked down on himself. He knew his body was no longer breathing and he now felt wonderful. Looking over he saw the special man, the son of God, waiting.

“You came.” The dragon was momentarily surprised, he had not expected that.

The man looked at the dragon for a moment and then spoke gently. “How could I not? I knew you when you were on Earth. I've heard you every year when you told my stories. How could I not come? I love you as you have loved me all these long years. I came to take you home, to where your ancestors play and laugh. They wait for you... come...”

The Elder glanced down at his still body laying on the warm sand. He then turned away taking pleasure in the great love he felt from the man. He spoke the name, “Jesus”.

The man turned and smiled, beckoning him to follow. They walked into the eternities together to be greeted lovingly by those who had gone before. The Elder laughed with his brothers and sisters but quieted briefly as he watched the man walk away. The Elder was content and happy. The man turned and waved, then disappeared into the mists with his own people. The Elder happily turned once again to his brethren and they flew into the night sky, playing and laughing among the stars.

When Kylee went to check on the Elder, he found his body cold, his spirit had been gone for some time. Kylee sat and shed great tears of sorrow, then went to tell the others the Elder had gone to the beyond. The celebration that year was more bittersweet than other years for they would miss the Elder and his storytelling, but they knew he was well once more, playing with the ancestors that waited for him.

Later that night Kylee told the story again as tradition demanded of the successor. His audience was silent and reverent. Afterward Kylee sang the songs he had learned and would now teach others to sing, played the games he had been taught and would now teach others to play, and laughed with his brethren and sisters. He was the successor and he was content. He knew the secret of space travel and someday he would travel to the blue planet to see where the special man had come from. Perhaps he would see him there, after all he had risen from the dead... maybe he would grace a dragon with his presence.