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"CHRISTMAS-THAT magic blanket that wraps itself
about us, that something so intangible that it is like
a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas
may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it
will be a day of remembrance-a day in which we think
of everything we have ever loved".
My earliest memories of Christmas are the tales of
my granny. She made me search amongst the stars for
the crimson clothed old man, with the snowy beard; she
made me believe on the sledge run by reindeers and Santa,
his gifts, the stockings and a wish.
 My
Christmas days had always been fun and frolic, mince
pies and pastries, musty hymnbooks and carols, the Christmas
tree and those gifts in Orissa. But soon, Papa got transferred
to Lucknow and I came to a different place. I still
remember my first Christmas in Lucknow. It was such
a gloomy one, but it made me believe the wise tales
of Granny. There was the huge Christmas tree, with bells,
balloons, stars and other decorations.
The stockings too were hanging in one corner, the house
smelled all too spicy. Mom and Dad were too busy with
the decorations and the party at night. While I sat
gloomy in one corner, I didn't like Lucknow at all,
I knew no one and Christmas was never so lonesome for
me.
Just then my eyes stuck on the stockings with red ribbons
on them and I was reminded of those granny's words -
"Santa never denies a wish/dear.
Drop your wish into the stockings and in the morning
you will receive -your gifts." I soon tore a piece
of paper, and in my best writing I wrote -"Dear
Santa, you have always gifted me so much without my
wishing, but I am sad this X'mas. I hate luck now I
don't know anyone. Santa can you please gift me a world
of laughter, a world of fun. I want to be happy as I
was in Orissa."
And secretly, I dropped the letter into one of the
stockings. Then I smiled at myself and looked at Jesus
with shining eyes.
I had this strange intuition that Santa will not disappoint
me but I also knew that Santa would take some time before
doing a miracle because I hadn't asked him for any material
but eternal happiness. I still remember waking up early
in morning, smiling to myself, lighting the candles,
singing 'jingle bells' and many carols.
Santa's magic had begun to work because of the hope
in my heart and soon it worked when I joined my new-school
- "CMS Degree College" in its very first year.
It was like a gift from Santa. Then I got introduced
to the beauty of life through my friends. Then my every
X'mas was a treat. The late night party, the glitters,
the stars, the bells, the carols and the candles. Everything
was fun. Today, as I write about my memories of the
first Christmas in Lucknow, I am actually on the verge
of celebrating my last Christmas in Lucknow and in my
school.
I will be going next year to a different place and
this time too again I want to drop a wish in the stockings
for the Santa to fulfil -" Dear Santa, please don't
snatch away this beautiful world from me" but I
think Santa needs to take' away this world from me because
in some part of the world one Elina is waiting for Santa
to gift her a beautiful world of happiness. So dare
to wish because Santa won't disappoint you.’
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