He Quit Before Christmas by Holly Geely – Day 24 Advent 2017, 4th Sunday of Advent

“Your contract requires two weeks’ notice. You can’t leave tonight,” Santa said. “I can, and I will,” Donner said. “It’s Christmas Eve. We need you here.” “My flight is booked.” “We don’t have an airport.” “Yeah, I booked myself. I’m done with this job. I’m done with you.” “How can you say that?” “As if you don’t know! I’ve stayed through some rotten curveballs. You promoted Rudolph over me, even though I have the most seniority. Fine, I can handle that. You cut out Christmas bonuses so you could afford to install that hot tub. The others complained, but I never said a word. I literally worked my tail off for you – my butt’s never going to look the same – and you’ve never once thanked me.”

Christmas Hassles -Day 23 Advent 2017

Christmas Hassles Day 23 Advent 2017 It happens that we don't open our advent Calendars on the right day, that we are a day late or so. I am sure that even the most devoted of readers of this year's calendar are sometimes a day late in reading. Who am I to blame you? It's … Continue reading Christmas Hassles -Day 23 Advent 2017

Christmas… as an Agnostic by Melanie Noell Bernard – Day 22 Advent 2017

Christmas… as an Agnostic by Melanie Noell Bernard Day 22 Advent 2017   Like many children, I was raised in my parents’ religion. For me, this meant going to a Presbyterian church once a week on Sunday (or trying. Sometimes life is a little busy.) But I was expected to get up earlier than I wanted, … Continue reading Christmas… as an Agnostic by Melanie Noell Bernard – Day 22 Advent 2017

The Magic and Curse of Christmas by Angela Guidolin – Day 21 Advent 2017

The Magic and Curse of Christmas by Angela Guidolin Day 21 Advent 2017 When I was a child in the ’70, my parents had just started their own ice-cream business. To me, it meant not seeing much of them, having a few toys to play with (that sometimes my mum was forced to give as … Continue reading The Magic and Curse of Christmas by Angela Guidolin – Day 21 Advent 2017

The Truck Stop by Trent P. McDonald – Day 18 Advent 2017

I slowly turned the dial with my right hand, keeping my left on the wheel.  Nothing but static, the dial was as barren as the empty highway in front of me.  The only music I had, came from the engine and tires of my old ’67 Ford, which hummed along as it had all day. My mind was numb from that hum and my vision was getting a bit blurry.  It was a quarter past three in the afternoon, yet it was already beginning to get dark. The cola I’d picked up at that last gas station was making me uncomfortable. I thought back over the day and my food intake.  A couple of bags of chips and a few candy bars.  An awful truck stop coffee in the morning and that soda I had finished a half an hour earlier.

Christmas Fun, circa 1968; an argument and having a gas by Geoff Le Pard – 3rd Sunday of Advent, Day 17 Advent 2017

Maybe it’s a childhood thing but my memory of Christmas is of a happy day enjoyed by all. They were never spoilt by arguments or friction. They might be boring, they could be wacky, or hilarious, and sometimes eye opening but never was a voice raised in anger. Apart that is, than the year my Gran, my mum’s mum, got a bit squiffy on the port and lemons, eat heartily, fell asleep during the Queen’s speech and woke up in a bit of a state.

Christmas Time Comes with Hot Chocolate – Day 16 Advent 2017

Christmas Time Comes with Hot Chocolate Day 16 Advent 2017 “Do you have any money for us Miss?” It must have been the 10th time on her way home from work that someone was actively asking her for money. Like the other times that evening in mid-December she shook her head, said “sorry” and tried … Continue reading Christmas Time Comes with Hot Chocolate – Day 16 Advent 2017

Merry Christmas to You by Tara Paray – Day 15 Advent 2017

Merry Christmas to You by Tara Paray  Day 15 Advent 2017   Merry Christmas to You by Tara Paray If it seems rushed and hectic, If you have to do this or that and you’re not having fun, If you have to spend a certain amount of money or risk looking bad/cheap/Scrooge-like, You’re doing it … Continue reading Merry Christmas to You by Tara Paray – Day 15 Advent 2017