Felix and Santa’s Orphans #5 in the 12 Blogs of Christmas



Perfect. Everything needed to be perfect. Napkins—folded expertly, check. Gold trimmed china. Check. Crystal goblets. Check. Polished silver. Check. Centerpiece with fresh holly and tapered scented candles. Check. Catered dinner for twelve due to arrive shortly. Simone checked her diamond-studded watch.

Tapping her freshly manicured nails on the credenza, Simone’s brow furrowed in concentration as she mentally calculated when each guest would arrive. Certainly her oldest son would arrive first. Bart was always the punctual one—even if he had nothing nice to say. His wife, the shrew, would only add to the discord. At least they had the foresight to remain childless. Small recompense. 




Next, her twin daughters and their horde would arrive. Goodness knows she could do without the antics of children tonight, but she couldn’t exactly un-invite her four grandchildren. 

Simone scanned the room for heirlooms needing to be moved to safety. Some reckless child could ruin an irreplaceable piece in her storied collection. Simone frowned.

Finally, her youngest, Felix would waltz in precisely when dinner was scheduled to be served. Felix seemed to relish vexing her with tardiness.  He was always flitting about—he shunned a real job, preferring to waste his days at some orphanage. At least he never asked for money like the twins always were.





Simone hated this Christmas ritual. But ritual it was. Simone scanned the living room with the perfectly arranged furniture highlighting the stupendous tree that she’d paid a small fortune to have decorated.

The butler announced the arrival of her first guests. Simone turned and was surprised to see Felix. And even more surprised to see him dressed as Santa.




Parading in behind him was a mismatched congregation of rag-tag children. Simone stiffened. Before she could say a word, Felix whispered in her ear. 

Her well-orchestrated evening had been utterly usurped. And there was nothing she could do but watch as Felix sat each child around her magnificent table. As her own family arrived, they too watched as Santa held the kids spellbound with his belly laugh and stories.




With each child amply fed, Santa ushered the kids to the door. Turning to his bewildered family, he winked and in his best Santa voice said, “Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night.” 

None of Simone’s cherished heirlooms had been broken, but alas, her despised Christmas ritual had, in the best way possible. 


If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face, but if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself. Luke 18:14 MSG

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