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Johnny is a very normal little boy of eight years of age--with the exception of one thing--he still believes in Santa Claus. Maybe it sounds odd that a little boy would still believe in Santa Claus at his age, but Johnny had special thoughts and feelings about Santa. Because of this, he was totally unprepared for what was said during class on the subject of Santa Claus. Johnny was disturbed and confused but he never talked about it to anyone.
One day Johnny was listening to his mother talk to his littler sister, Janice. She told Janice, "honey, you must ask Santa only for the most special gift. If you ask for everything you desire, Santa will have to spend hours deciding which one thing you want the most, which wouldn't be fair, would it?"
The words 'special gift' stuck in Johnny's mind. Maybe what happened to the other kids was like what mom said, could it be they asked for too much, Santa couldn't keep up with everybody which meant the older kids missed out on their special gift? Maybe that's why they thought Santa didn't exist.
Of course Johnny knew that Santa wasn't the guy in the department store. He knew that wasn't him just by looking. The Santa Johnny knew in his heart was full, and fluffy like snow. Johnny's idea of Santa was so clear that he could easily visualize him.
Thanksgiving came and went and the hustle and bustle of Christmas was beginning to appear. Johnny couldn't get his friend Santa Claus off his mind. So he thought, "Well, maybe if I talk to another child I can get this straightened out."
Janice was busy playing with her doll, she could play as though her doll was real for hours which fascinated Johnny. He watched her for a while and then asked, "Janice have you asked Santa Claus for the special gift yet?"
She said, "Of course, Jane needs new clothes. What kind of mother would I be if I sent her to school in those old rags? Really Johnny!"
Johnny started to laugh. He was thinking that his sister was silly asking for something to dress her doll, what was so special about that. Then he stopped, he realized Janice believed her doll needed new clothes. Maybe the special gift had to be something you need... Could it be my friends asked for things they wanted, instead of things they needed? Gee, this was turning into a very complex problem!
Next Johnny began to wonder why he didn't just go along with the other kids, maybe they were right. Nobody every asked him directly if he believed in Santa Claus, they just took it for granted that he didn't. After all he was eight years old.
Then Johnny began to worry, " What if someone asks me? He thought, the girl across from me saw my face when Mike said Santa Claus was only made up for children. He thought, "What would I say if she asked me if I still believe in Santa Claus?"
But this time Johnny had carried his imagination to real extremes. He was torn between the intense feeling of warmth for Santa Claus and the looks on the faces of his friends.
"December the fifth!" exclaimed mother, "Don't you think it's time to write a letter to Santa Claus? Janice became very excited and started carrying on about what she wanted to say. Then mother turned to Johnny.
Johnny looked straight into his mothers eyes and said, "Mother do you think Santa Claus was made up for children?"
"Oh Johnny!' she reached over to him and took his face in her hands. "Johnny, God knows that Santa Claus is as near to you, as is your heart."
He knew his mother didn't lie. He was so happy and relieved. "Boy, why did I waste all that time? I haven't even had time to think about my special gift and now it's time to write the letter. "I will go upstairs to my room," he yelled as he ran up the stairs.
He sat on his bed. He was just too excited to think. He said out loud, "this has to be right, I will talk it over with God first. "
He slid down beside his bed and began to pray. "Father, I think I'm stuck. I've wasted this whole week on worrying and now it's time to write to Santa Claus. I can't think of a thing I want or need. Please could you help me find a special gift?"
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Just then an idea sprang into Johnny's mind. "Okay, that's it. Thanks!" He jumped back on the bed and wrote in bold letters.
Dear Santa,I prayed for a special gift so that I wouldn't waste your time. This prayer gave me a wonderful idea. Somehow it seems funny to ask for this, but it is what came to me when I talked to God. It is what I really want. Do you suppose I could be born like Jesus? Maybe I mean I want to know Jesus but I think I want to be born like him. I know you'll take care of it for me because it is a special gift. Thank you Santa, I really never doubted you. I think I was just mixed up. I will remember to pray for my friends and teacher. Maybe then they can know you as I do. I love you, Santa. Johnny
He sealed and addressed the envelope, and rushed it downstairs to Mother. Christmas Eve came and Johnny knew something special was happening. He felt like he was walking on air. Not only that, he kept hearing sounds like bells. He figured it was to remind him of his special gift. He sat gazing out the window. It was beautiful out; snow had covered the ground and the moon peeked through a cloud in a way that made him feel like he was dreaming. " I wonder," Johnny thought, "if it was like this the night before Jesus was born." Just then the cuckoo clock cuckooed. " I'd better go to bed." He ran over to his parents sitting on the love seat. "Come on Janice, let's go to bed," he joyfully exclaimed. Janice wasn't as anxious as Johnny but she decided she would go along. They kissed their mom and dad, grabbed each other's hands and ran upstairs. "Good night Janice!" Johnny said as he went into his room. He quickly put on his pajamas, and laid comfortably in bed, he looked over at a picture of Jesus on his wall and started talking to it, "Jesus, I hope you don't mind me wanting to be born like you. I love you so much and I want to be just like you. Please make me just like you." All of a sudden he was very relaxed. Sleep seemed to come instantly, or was this sleep? Johnny thought, "Maybe I'm dreaming. It sure feels like I'm awake though." Just then a beautiful light appeared, Johnny couldn't tell if the light was over him or in him. It seemed to be everywhere. It was like a million burning candles. As Johnny became relaxed he saw a beautiful white dove. It just stayed over him. He felt so warm and wonderful inside. It felt like his whole body was bathed in a gentle, pink light. Again he wondered if he was dreaming. Then he heard these words, " On this night a lamb is born." And like magic, a beautiful white baby lamb was standing right on him. Johnny thought, "Oh, how wonderful and beautiful it is," as he reached up to touch the lamb it disappeared. Johnny felt disappointed until he heard these words from inside of himself. "Johnny! You have your special gift, you are the Lamb of God! Wake up!" Johnny sat straight up in bed. His heart was beating so fast he could hardly breath. He climbed out of bed and ran to the window and shouted. "Thank you, Santa. I will never forget my special gift!"
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