Twelve More Days Of Christmas - Chapter 9

By mcscraic
- 56 reads
Twelve More Days Of Christmas
A Novel
By Paul McCann
Chapter 9
The Christmas Staircase
It was almost Christmas and the streets at night were busy and cold . Brian was a city street dweller and a lonely soul who been touched by hardship since his father kicked him out of home . His father had a drink problem and often turned angry and abusive towards Brian who was his only son . After Brian had no home anymore he tried to find a job but without a car and a place to live it was very difficult for him to hold down a steady job so he ended up homeless and sleeping in shop doorways at night to get out of the wind and the rain but after he was beaten up and robbed one night he started to look for safer places to sleep .
.
It was Christmas Eve and there were lots of people out celebrating Christmas parties around the city .
Brian was still looking for a safer place to sleep at night and as he stood there on the footpath looking at the traffic passing by , he noticed a young man entering a tall building through a side door on the street
He stood nearby and waited for a while before entering the door of the building .
On the other side he found himself on a the bottom level of the fire escape staircase of the tall building . He went up a few flights and peeped through a door on that level and saw that a group of cleaners were busy at work cleaning the offices on that floor .
He made his way to the top level of the building where it was quiet and safe .
and thought to himself this is the perfect place to spend Christmas .
As he sat there he started to think of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and how it had been for them a long time ago at the same time of the year . Even though Jesus hadn’t t yet been born the three of them were homeless in some stable . So Brian thought to himself , they would know exactly how he feels as he sat there alone on that staircase on Christmas Eve . In that moment he had this direct connection with the holy family . He thought about Joseph and Mary and how hard it must have been for them and silently he said ,
“Jesus , Mary and Joseph you’ve known homelessness and hunger. Now I feel I’m not alone here on this staircase because you’re all here with me and how blessed I am to know that even in the wilderness of life , we can find an inner vision to show us how to find strength and peace of mind when there is nothing and no one to help “
.
Suddenly on the staircase he saw a young man approach and he said ,
“Don’t fear I’m not here to harm you . So tell me how did you find this place ? “
Brian replied ,
“I saw one of the night cleaners going in the door outside and came to check it out as inside here I can’t get kicked or bashed and the snow won’t land on my head as I sleep and maybe even I can stay here during the Christmas holidays “
The young man sat down beside Brain on the staircase and said ,
” Sometimes in life you find the place where you should be at .. Then you can see with an inner vision peace of mind in a state of love. “ .
Brian replied ,
“Here am I at Christmas on a staircase . I can’t catch the rain . I can’t feel the cold I’m hungry but I know I can find food so as you say I’m where I should be “
The answer came ,
“You are in a place without any thought . you’re homeless but not helpless . You’re doing it tough but you’re managing to get through each day “”
Brian smiled and said .
“Well its Christmas all tight and there’s no candy cane or Christmas turkey but I have hope knowing that everything is going to be ok “
The visitor replied
“I’m here to say happy Christmas to you , on this lonely old staircase where nobody can see us .
:.
Brian said ,
“I’m not alone at Christmas because you’re with me and somehow, I have a good feeling about where we’re at on this staircase and soon the year will be gone .”
The visitor replied
“Christmas can be a hard time for many who have too many things on their mind .
Do you remembering some things like the friends that left you when you needed them have all fled . When hardship leaves you full of doubt , don't feel down and out .
Brian said ,
“I’ve found peace and maybe there’s a space I need to fill and recover what I have lost ”
The Visitor continued
“Christmas can be hard to bear , when no one seems to care . There are moments when you might think you’re losing your sanity but you know something it will be ok . Yes Christmas can be a hard time , with so much on your mind like the things your father said and done and how he kicked you out of home . Then you will think of the friends who never stayed and fled when you needed them most but you are still here and everything will be ok . Then when you’re on the streets , sleeping rough and the snow is falling down and there's no one around who seems to care , you made it through and when your mind is full of doubt and you feel down and out in that lonely place and another day you can’t face but you do and you get up and do it all over again because deep down in your heart you know that it will be ok and when you feel lost and you’re paying the cost to live a live that’s not worth living but you do and somehow you get through another day and you always will because there is someone who cares for you and His love will always endure . This Christmas time when it seems no one there , think again , because some cares for you and I am just the messenger that has been sent to tell you here on this staircase , God is also there with you at this time , so look and you will find something he has given for you.
The visitor walked away and left an envelope on the top of the staitcase .
When Brian opened the envelope he found a note and a key .
He looked at the visitor who had now disappeared /
.
At Christmas time you are the owner of a new home . The key will open every door and the address is written at the top of this page . From this moment you will never be homeless again . In the home you will find everything you need to live comfortably
God is with you at this time , in your heart he has made a home , Be at peace .
The dark night had gone and in the early dawn one of the cleaners had found the dead body of a homeless man lying at the top landing of the staircase fire escape .
End Chapter 9
Link to Chapter 10
https://www.abctales.com/story/mcscraic/twelve-more-days-christmas-chapter-10
.
Twelve More Days Of Christmas
A Novel
By Paul McCann
- Log in to post comments