Chapter 3
The following day Santa proceeded to complete his routes, to John’s surprise, in record time. With Blitzen’s natural speed, Santa was able to deliver all the mail to Moondale in three hours. John found that by the time he gave Nicholas a new batch of letters he was back within fifteen minutes ready for more work. Afterwards Santa helped John organize the post office or run other errands throughout the day. During the middle of the week Santa happen to past the town’s only church. Since he was ahead of schedule he went inside. Taking time for prayer, which is always a good thing, Santa thanked God for helping him find Michael’s father. He also praised God for his forgives of his sins and asked for continual help to finish the mission he believed he was called to do. Afterwards, he returned to the post-office until John closed.
“You’re pretty good.” said John, “ locking the door, and I suppose this little fellow is the engine behind it all.”
Blitzen gave John a quick look and grunted, which means in reindeer: yup.
“Little, I think not, he one of the best reindeer I have.” said Santa, brushing Blitzen’s neck.
“So heading back to the apartment?”
“Not really, I’m renting a room at the motel until I leave.”
“Eating alone.”
“Yes, but I’m fine with it.”

John went over to his car.
“Hey, how about having dinner with my family. My wife is always nagging me about doing good. You’ll be my leverage against her, besides she’s a good cook. So, you want to come?”
“I would be delighted,” said Santa.

The sleigh followed behind the old Nissan and it drove slowly through the melted snow. Along the way it began to snow again revealing that tomorrow would bring at least five inches to the small town. The Harvest home was a two story house. Inside was a glowing ember light that invite its travelers inside for a warm fire and a warm meal too. Before coming inside, Santa unhooked Blitzen; and with John’s permission, allowed him to nestle himself under the evergreen tree. The reindeer laid town and took a well deserved nap. When John opened the door his son ,Michael, ran to his father jumping into his arms with a big smile. When Michael caught sight of Santa (but of course he did not know, since Santa was undercover) his heart seemed to warm with joy, but he didn’t know why.
“Daddy, who is this man?”
“This is Nicholas Noel.” said John, “He’s new in town and he’s helping me at the post office for awhile.”
Michael got down from his father’s arms, looking Santa directly in the face.
“Your funny looking.” said Michael.
“Well,” said Santa a little dumbfounded, “Better to be funny looking than ugly looking I suppose.”
“You’re silly too,” said Michael running into the kitchen.
John introduced his wife and they all ate well that night. Back at the motel Santa retired to bed, thinking over the wonderful way God had guided him. Falling asleep, St. Nicholas rested comfortable awaiting the church service on Sunday Morning.

Moondale’s Church was always full with the town natives. The Harvest family took their usual seat in the last pew, although Mrs. Harvest preferred to sit closer. Santa arrived just before service began and took his seat next to John. The service began with two hymns, which brought a delight to Santa’s soul. The first was about salvation through Christ alone. The second hymn entitle “The Straight and Narrow Way” remind the congregation to remain in Christ and avoid the ways of sin. Afterwards the preacher came out beginning his sermon in the book of Matthew. All was going well, at least from Santa’s viewpoint, until John stood up briskly when he heard that if a man knows not Jesus, he shall never see Heaven. As best he could, John maneuvered his way out of the pew and left the building. He remained in his car until service was over. With the benediction, the congregants made their way outside.
“It was glad to see you in church,” said Mrs. Harvest.
“It was good to be here,” replied Santa kindly, “Is John alright, he seemed in a rush to leave in the middle of the sermon?”
Mrs. Harvest had a look of nervousness on her face, she dropped her head slightly as Michael looked up into hers.
“Dad always does that,” he said.
“Why?”
Sudden the horn from the Nissan was sounded.
“Come on, church is over---let’s go.” came John’s voice, “I’ll see you tomorrow, Nicholas, bright and early.”
The car pulled out of the parking lot, leaving Santa wondering over John’s hurried actions.

Chapter 4
Traveling down the road, Mrs. Harvest made her protest known openly.
“You know that I hate it when you do that.”
“Hate what?” said John with a hint of agitation.
“Can you at least sit through one service without leaving?”
“Let me think about it---no!”
The bickering went back and forth as Michael painfully listened. The arguing didn’t stop until they arrived home; and even then, Mrs. Harvest showed signs of great displeasure towards her husband by slamming the car door and storming to the house. This made John even more upset than before; and he followed her leaving Michael in the car alone in tears. For Michael this was how all Sunday’s ended. Leaving the car, Michael walked up to the door. Immediately his mother and father took a break from the verbal battle to console their son. Apologies were given quickly, but Michael seemed distant. He went to his room, planted his face in his pillow, and cried again.

The following afternoon, after all the deliveries were made ,with record time of course, the Lord touched Santa’s heart and Old St. Nicholas recognized that there was much distress in John’s face.

“Something the matter?“
“Just trouble at home,“ said John.
“Does it have to do with yesterday?“
“You’re quiet the observant one or maybe your just nosy.”
“ I prefer observant.” said Santa with a smile.

“It just bothers me, that’s all.” replied John sorting through the mail aggressively, “My wife always gives me grief about leaving early----it gets on my nerves!”
He slammed a box on the table as the contents rattled inside.
“I think that box was marked fragile.” said Santa, pulling it away from him, “Ms. Porter won’t be happy. Anyway is there a reason you leave during church service when Jesus is mention?”

John gave his temporary employee a long icy look.
“You’re being nosy again.”
“Observant,” said Santa cautiously correcting him, “Your son says you do it all the time.”
“My son doesn’t’ understand. He’s very young and doesn’t perceive the error of certain things.”

Santa was silent briefly and made this truthful comment.
“John, its not wrong to trust Christ.”
John froze from his writing. He dropped his pen as if it was a hot iron. Deep in John’s heart was a rebellion that Santa could not see. It was already agitated by his wife and then having Old St. Nicholas pressing the issue further was too much for Mr. Harvest to bear. He gradually walked over to Nicholas and pointed his finger at him.
“Tell me something, Nicholas, do you like working here?”
Santa knew where the conversation was going and tried to apologize, but John would not allow it.
“Save your apology. You were hired as a mail carrier not a preacher! If you want to preach I suggest you go to seminary, but until then you take the mail and you deliver it and keep your crusading to yourself---got it?”
Old St. Nicholas nodded his head respectfully.
“Your done for the day.” said John still heated, “Get out.”
Blitzen was waiting for his master.
“We’re done today, Blitzen, let’s go.” said Santa.
With the crack of the reigns the reindeer trotted briskly over the snow to the motel.

Chapter 5

The coming weeks brought Thanksgiving to Moondale. The annual parade was a festive moment for the entire town. The snow on the streets could not hold back the crowd that lined up to see all the decorative floats. The most popular float (if it could be called one) was the new postman Nicholas Noel and his marvelous reindeer. The new postman was voted “best in show” and Santa received a free apple pie as a reward, which he ate completely that day. Mrs. Harvest invite jolly Old St Nicholas to Thanksgiving dinner with a host of other friends and neighbors. The air in the Harvest home was filled with the aroma of pumpkin pie, turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mash potatoes, and anything else that can make your mouth water.

John was not pleased with Nicholas’s presence, but in order to be a good host he did his best to hide his outright annoyance for the old gentleman. After talking to a few people, Santa sat down with a hot cup of coco. Michael came into the study with his bright red toy truck. St. Nicholas recognized it immediately: it was the same one he had left last year under the tree for the boy.

“Nice truck.”
“Its my favorite,” said Michael, “Santa’s the best.”
“I suppose he is,” said Nicholas, “Would you like to hear a story?”
“Is it boring,” said Michael giving Santa a weird look, “I don’t like boring stories.”
“Far from it, and besides I think you’ll like the one the story is about.”

Michael sat on the floor as Old St, Nicholas began his tale of a little town like Moondale that had no idea that a great king had arrived. He was called Jesus or if you prefer Emmanuel. He was the savior of mankind, the hope for the hopeless, and the way to heaven. Michael listened as Santa gave all the details; it was as if Michael was right there hearing the baby cry, and seeing Mary and Joseph’s expression of joy and wonder. He could also see the gold, and smell frankincense and myrrh. Santa finally told Michael that if any one would believe on the name Jesus that person would not perish, but live with Him in Heaven.

“Perishing doesn’t sound good,” said Michael.
“Its not,” replied Santa.
Michael played with his truck for a brief moment and then asked a question.
“If I believe in Jesus will he take me to heaven?”
“Yes, yes He will.” said Santa.
“What do I do?”
“Ask him to be your Lord as if you would ask your mother or father for anything. I can help if you want to.”
“Yeah,” said Michael smiling, “I would.”

Michael climbing into the arms of the old jolly man and they both prayed. John came by and when he had heard the name of Jesus coming from his son’s mouth he immediately entered the study.

“ Michael what are you doing ? Come here immediately!”
The boy came to his father.
“Go to your mother, I want to have a word with Mr. Noel.”
“He didn’t do anything wrong, dad,” said Michael in earnest, “I was just helping me to go to heaven.
“I said go to your mother, now!” said his father in a harsh whisper.
The boy left the room and the study door was closed promptly. Santa took a sip from his hot coco expecting the worst.
“Stand up.” said John curtly.
Santa obeyed.
“You got some nerve messing with my boy.” said John accosting him, “I guess you just plain stupid aren’t you?”
“Hold on, John, I didn’t mean---”
“Shut up. What did you tell my son?”
Santa stood quietly glancing away from John.
“I said talk, Nicholas.”
“But I thought you wanted me to shut up.”
John’s right eye began to twitch, which gave Santa the indication they be better speak and quickly too.

“I told your son the Christmas story---you know--about Jesus Christ. And after he asked me if he could accept Jesus in his heart I lead him in prayer to do so.”
“He’s too young--it didn’t count.”
“Oh no, John,” said Santa, “ It always counts. In fact it will count for you too.”

John’s next action could be explained as being mean-spirited or down right hateful. Mr. Harvest took his hand and struck Old St. Nicholas across the face. The jolly man took the blow courageously and from his lip flowed a trickle of blood as red as his classic red suit. Indeed that was a hint of anger in Nicholas and he wanted to return the blow, but God held his emotions in check as John finished the meeting with these words:

“You’re fired--get out of my house!”

Santa left the Harvest home quickly, avoiding eye contact. When Mrs. Harvest asked why Mr. Noel had left so promptly John replied that he had an emergency.

The following day Old St. Nicholas was packing his bag. He was still angry from the previous day and made it a point to leave Moondale as soon as possible.

“I tried Lord,” said Santa gathering his belongings, “I’m sorry but I cannot fulfill this request for Michael--this is probably the first time I will not be able to bring joy to a boy or girl this Christmas.”
Santa’s Bible sat on the end table. When he went to pick it up God’s sense of direction immediately come over him. God was telling him to stay. There was a struggle inside Nicholas, and with a humble look up to heaven he placed his Bible in his bag and checked out of the motel. It was snowing again. Blitzen was awaiting his master’s command. Santa climbing into the sleigh and cracked the reigns, but Blitzen did not move. Santa cracked the reigns again, but got the same result.

“Blitzen you have been a faithful companion for all the years since I’ve known you. Today is not the day to disobey me. No off we go!”
The reigns were cracked, but Blitzen stayed in place. Santa came from his sleigh, approaching Blitzen with a slight temper.
“What’s wrong with you?” said Santa looking the reindeer in the eye, “We have to get back to the north pole. Are you sick?”

Blitzen slightly shook his head.
“Are you hurt in any way?”
Blitzen shook his head again.
“Then why are you disobeying me?”

The reindeer gave his master a long and pensive look as if he was going to talk, but another voice; a greater voice spoke to Santa’s very soul. Old St. Nicholas knew it was the Lord.
“God wants me to stay,” said Santa to Blitzen, “That’s why you’re not moving, isn’t it?”
Blitzen nodded his head. Santa asked for the same room and unpacked his bags. He sat down in a chair and quietly read his Bible not fully understanding the command he was given, but willing to obey nonetheless.