Story a man finding Christmas from a different perspective
It was getting close to Christmas and Gabriel was looking for ward to driving back to his hometown to spend some time with his family . He had been working away for the past few years and he missed seeing their friendly faces .
He had started doing lots of overtime to make some extra money to do some Christmas shopping for his family . He had most of the gifts for everyone and was getting excited about going home for Christmas . .
Then suddenly without any warning his car broke down one cold afternoon as he drove home from work . The car had to be towed away to a mechanic who told him it needed a new engine and that it would be expensive . The other bad news was that it wouldn’t be fixed until after Christmas .
Gabriel was heart broken and started walking to and from work . It was going to be a surprise visit but now it looked as if it would be just all the recent Christmases , with a telephone call . Feeling a little down he walked through the snow . Then something caught his eye . There was a car parked on the side of the road with a for sale sign and phone number . His heart jumped for joy with the thought that now he still might be able to get home for Christmas .The car was cheap and it looked ok .
Small and comfy , no dents , good tyres . He could see it was a real bargain so now with the thought he could afford to buy the car and get home to be with his family Christmas had already come in his heart .
As soon as he got home he rang the number of the person selling the car .
“Hello , My name is Gabriel , I’m interested in buying your car . Can I take it for a test drive. “
The seller responded ,,
“Hello Gabriel , my name is Chris . Listen , I won’t lie to you it’s a really good car , trust me . I’m in a big hurry to sell it as I’ve got to leave early tomorrow morning . So if you really want the car I’ll bring it to your house tonight and we can close the deal “
Gabriel said,
“So is it ok if I drive it first ?”
The seller replied ,
“Trust me , It’s a good car and I’m in a hurry so if you really want the car . We can do the deal tonight “
Gabriel knew he was taking a chance but he could tell it was a good car and a bargain at the price . It was also the best chance he had to get home to see his family for Christmas . He had a good feeling about this car so he agreed to do the deal and gave his address to the seller .
In a very short time the seller arrived and knocked on the door .
Gabriel asked him in and they signed over the registration papers , Gabriel handed him the money and Chris handed over the car keys .and said .
“Merry Christmas Gabriel . Enjoy “
Gabriel replied .
“Same to you Chris “
The deal was done and they said goodbye .
The next morning Gabriel was so excited to be going home he rang his boss to see if he could finish a few days early to be with his family for Christmas . His boss was ok with that as things where pretty quiet with the company and they were winding down until the new year . He started packing the gifts and some things into the back of the car and he was on the road again .
Gabriel had that Christmasy feeling all over . As he drove on the freeway the snow started falling and it got heavier the further he went .
He took the exit from the freeway to his hometown . On the road there was a detour sign , it looked like a tree had come down further ahead .
On the side road the snow stopped falling and the sun came out .
He had never been this way before so he felt a bit lost . He continued driving on the road . A huge rainbow appeared in the sky and up ahead there were a cluster of little homes with little elves in green pants and red shirts busy at work . Then he passed a sleigh with some reindeers and Santa standing there waving as Gabriel passed by .
Thinking it must have been some local Christmas pageant or parade .
His heart was like a child again and he pulled over to the side of the road and waved back to Santa .
Little ones dressed up as elves started putting toys and wrapped up presents
It was getting had got to a point where he couldn’t go ahead due to the snow on the road . He sat there on the side of the road wondering what to do .He looked around and saw on both sides of the road , little Christmas trees stood together in lines , decorated with silver bells coloured balls , tinsel and lights .
There were snowmen in gardens and Christmas carols being played through speakers . Santa , called out ,
“Ho Ho Ho and away we go . Merry Christmas everyone .“
Gabriel suddenly remembered he had to drive home to be with his family for Christmas and got back on the road again . He kept following the detour signs with no idea of where he was going .
On the road , round some bends and across a bridge and down
a long straight narrow road that brought him to a place called
The Holiday Inn . He thought it might be a good idea to ask for directions . When he went to the front door it was closed but then he heard some people talking so he had a look around . He called out ,
“ Hello is anyone there ?”
A shepherd approached ,
“ Have you come to see the child ?
Gabriel smiled and asked ,
“ The child “?
The shepherd said ,
“ I’m going to show you , he’s around the back . Come this way .“
He brought Gabriel to a barn around the back of the Holiday Inn where a young baby was asleep in some straw inside a wooden box .
A young couple there welcomed Gabriel . There were others as well there visiting . Some placed gifts around the barn .
There was singing and rejoicing .
He asked one of the shepherds if he was on the right road to Bethel town and he was told , to follow the road to the end and take a right turn .
Gabriel thanked him and returned back to this car and was on the road again .
He felt excited about going to see his family and in a little while pulled up at the front door to spend Christmas with his loved ones .
