Christmas Family Matters

Category: Spiritual/Christmas

Rated PG/K+

A/N: Oh, Come on! It wouldn't be cool if I DIDN'T do a Christmas/Christan-based Story. This story is Christmas-Oriented and brings an interesting twist to the life of one Marie Kwan, Ted's recently found daughter. The takes place during Chapter 8 of “As Life Goes On” but I'm including headlines from recent world news to make this more realistic. I tweaked this story quite a bit for the intended audiences.

Summary: In pursuit of the meaning behind Christmas, Ted takes Marie back in time to the birth if Christ. While there, Marie discovers something she never thought she'd find: Hope. Told from her point of view, obviously.

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Chapter 1: How much Longer?

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Peace. It was the first thing I discovered when my father came for me. Before he came I never knew peace. Now that I have it I am able to think about living my life how I want to. There, however is the problem—I'm not sure I like the openness of it all.

“Spare change?” Some homeless guy begged as I walked through a park.

“I've got no cash.” I quickly reply before hurrying to catch a bus. When I get on the bus I see how crowded it is. Everyone trying to get home before the big blizzard comes later tonight. Unable to find a seat I opt to stand near the rear exit door. This way I can jump off and run in case of trouble. The bus stops in front of a hospital and a man with a broken leg gets on. I watch in disgust as none of the able-bodied people sitting at the front of the bus offer their seat to him. I can tell he'll probably have to go back to the hospital in this kind of weather if he stands the whole time.

When I reach my stop I get off and walk home. Along the way I pass by a house sealed off by the police—someone broke in, killed the occupants and took everything they owned. After doing that they set the house on fire to hide what they'd done. I quicken my pace and run into my house. After making sure to lock the door securely, I hand up my coat, go to my room and lie on my bed where I start sobbing uncontrollably. After cry for what feels like hours a feel a hand on my shoulder. I look up and see that it is my stepmother, Ann.

“What happened, Marie?” She asked with a look of concern. “Are you ok?”

“I...I had no idea America had so many problems.” I replied. “How can the most powerful country in the world have such little respect for human life? It just seems so...wrong...”

“That's because it is.” She replied. “The country was founded during the late 18th century on the hope men and women would be able to live freely. It may not be perfect but we can at least speak out against injustice. People in other parts of the world can't even do that.”

“I know, but now Americans are the ones doing the persecuting!”I exclaimed. “Earlier this week police in New York killed a man 50 times on his wedding day. Last week, several people were robbed over a video game system. Not only that, I saw several able-bodied people refuse to give up their seat for a passenger with a broken leg. How can that be considered ok—in America?”

“America may be the most powerful country in the world but it's not as 'fruitful' as many immigrants hope it is.” Ann replied. “Sixteen years ago, a man killed his pregnant wife in this city and told police a black man did it. That incident destroyed the fragile peace between the city's residents and because of the immediate reaction it has gained the reputation of being a 'Racist City' even though it's not. It's a city rich with history, both good and bad but I still like to call it home. It took the Red Sox 86 years but when they won the world Series two years ago it showed the who world that nothing is impossible.”

“I still don't think it's ok.” I said sternly. “If it were up to me I'd purge the world of all evil. That way I'd be able to spend more time with Dad.”

“I think that's something you should talk to God about.” Ann replied with a smile. “You may yet find this hard to believe but there is a reason God is allowing this to happen. I have to go make dinner now so I'll leave you alone for awhile.” And then she left. I didn't know what she was talking about but if God was allowing this to happen I think it was time I asked him to do something about it.

“Dear Lord, please help me to understand the reason for all the chaos and destruction going rampant in the world.” I began. “Can this truly be your will? Millions of people are dying everyday! You, who sent Jesus to die for us surely must not have had this in mind. Please help me to understand the meaning for all this. This I ask in Jesus name, Amen.” When I opened my eyes I saw my father standing in front of me. I found this strange since I didn't even hear him come into the room.

“That is a prayer I once did many years ago.” He said. “I got my answer to it the same day, too. It it may seem harsh but the state of the world is indeed God's will. It's not that different from how it was when Jesus was born, either. All of this has to happen before Jesus comes back.”

“It's just so cruel...” I replied. “It makes me feel sad just thinking about it.”

“How do you thing God feels?” He said. “His son had to die so we don't. Do you think that's fair?”

“No...” I trailed. “And I already know God loved the world so much that he sent his only son to die so that whoever believes he is Christ will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). I just do see why. It seems liked it was for nothing.”

“Leave it to God and he'll help you understand.” Dad said with a smile.”First, there is something I want to show you.”

“What is it?” I asked as I walked over to him. He picked up the bible on by Bookshelf and opened it. After putting a bookmark somewhere in the New Testament he hurtled it at the light, breaking the bulb and making the room very dark. That's when I realized I wasn't in my room anymore.

“Welcome to the beginning of time.” He began. “After creating the world in six days, God is resting on the seventh day. This is the state of the world before sin is introduced.”

“It seems to vibrant and alive.” I said as we walked through the Garden of Eden. “Where are the people?”

“Right this way.” Dad said before taking me to another part of the Garden. We entered a clearing just in time to see a man and a woman eating the fruit of a tree. It took me a split second to realize who they were and what they were eating.

“NO!” I exclaimed as broke into a run. Alas, a came too late. Right after they finished eating I heard the voice of God.

“I had but one commandment for you to adhere to and you have broken it.” He said. “What is this you have done?” (Genesis 3:13)

“The serpent tricked me into eating it.” Eve replied. Then I noticed the long dragon that had wrapped itself around the tree.

"Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle and more than every beast of the field.” God declared. “On your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise his heel (Genesis 3:15).” I watched the dragon turn into a snake as God spoke. Sounds like God wasn't very happy to see the peace he'd made forever destroyed.

"I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception.” God continued. “In pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you (Genesis 3:16).”

“That's why childbirth is painful.” Dad explained.

"Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it', "Cursed is the ground for your sake.” God said to Adam. “In toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return (Genesis 3:17-19).”

“And this is where death becomes a reality for humanity.” Dad added. “Because of the actions of the first man and woman the world is destined for Eternal Damnation.”

“NO!” I exclaimed. “That's no fair. Because of them the whole world is the way it is. This can't be right!”

"Behold, man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil.” God said as Adam and Eve left Eden. “ And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever, they shall never eat of its fruit again (Genesis 3:22).” When I tried to touch the tree of life I felt some kind of wall stopping me.

“Let's go.” Dad said as he took my hand. As we walked I saw many events happening: The Great Flood, The Israelites in Egypt, Israel conquering Canaan and Elijah proving to his people that the one true God is all they need.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“Here.” He said as we stood before the City of Babylon. “There's something I want you to see.”

"To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.” We heard someone say as we entered the courtyard. “And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace (Daniel 3:4-6).”

“W-What?!” I exclaimed in shock when I realized where we were. I looked and saw every knee bowed and every eye lowered except for three. Enraged, the king sent his soldiers to bring them before him.

"Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up?” He asked them. “Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands? (Daniel 3:13-15).”

"O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.” They replied firmly. “If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." Enraged, King Nebuchadnezzar ordered his men to heat the furnace seven times hotter than usual. As the youths were cast into the furnace they flamed licked up and incinerated the soldiers who threw them in. I could only watch in horror.

"Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?" He suddenly asked his advisors.

"True, O king." They replied.

"Look!" he exclaimed. "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God (Daniel 3:25).”

“Jesus?!” I exclaimed. Then everything went dark again. Dad opened a door and were were in what looked like Palestine. “Where are we?”

In occupied Israel.” He replied. “The Roman Empire rules much of the known world. The Praetorians treat their denizens like animals and everyone is treated poorly. No one seems to care about anyone anymore. Sound familiar?” I nodded. “Here you will find the answer to your prayer, Marie. Here you will see that God had a plan in place for the sins of Adam and Eve.”

“You mean Jesus.” I said. “Where is he?” Hearing no answer I turned and saw that my father had disappeared. “Dad? Where are you?”

“This is something for you and you only, my child.” I heard a voice say. “Prepare to bear witness to the awesome power that is the love of God.”

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End of Chapter 1. Those verses are derived from the New King James Version of the Bible and it's for reference purposes, obviously. I'll add more real-life stuff, too. I would HIGHLY recommend listening to some Gospel Music while reading. It sets the mood perfectly.