Christmas Writing 10: The Christmas Ornament

 

The Christmas Ornament

December 15, 2024

“What is with this ornament?” my bride of a couple of months asked as she pulled the ornament out of the box and held it up to the light. “It’s losing its paint job. Let’s get rid of it and buy something nicer” The ornament was a glass ball that I’m sure was ugly looking to most people.

I looked over at her and said, “Please be careful with that ornament.”

“I am sensing a story here,” she replied. “Do tell.”

“ First, I want you to hold the ornament at arms length and gaze into it.”

“Weird but okay. Am I looking for something?” 

“Just gaze into it for a minute.”

She held the ornament out at arms length and looked at it. Her face reflected the light coming through it. Suddenly her face shifted showing some concern. “ This is strange. What is this?” she questioned, looking worried. “Is It some sort of micro computer monitor?” She turned the ornament around in her hand looking through it and seeing nothing.

I reached over and removed the ornament from her hand. I turned and placed it back in the box for now.

“This ornament has a long history in my family. We are not sure where it came from except that as far back as people can remember it was on a family tree.”

“Meaning your parents and grandparents?”

“Meaning they lost track of how far back it goes. My grandparents remember their grandparents having it on their tree and they said it was from their grandparents.”

She counted, “That is at least seven generations.”

“And counting,” I replied.

“Wow!” she exclaimed looking at it. “And what I saw?”

He paused as he looked at her. He would need to tell her the details at some point. “Why not now,” he thought. “I am not exactly sure of what you saw so tell me about it.”

“I saw an old house with a Christmas tree that was lit with candles. The house was sparsely furnished but had lots of food and homemade decorations. The children received some practical gifts rather than many of the things you would see today.”

“That lines up pretty well with what I know. Did you recognize anyone in the ornamental scene?”

“There were some who looked familiar but in recognizing them I have no idea.” she thought about this while he looked at her. “Is there something here I am supposed to know?”

“Okay,” he breathed a deep breath. “Here is what I know. What you saw was a scene from one of your relatives in the past. It is like a video camera that captured their Christmas for you to see.”

“A video camera? In there? From 50 to 200 years ago? I find that hard to believe.”

“Then how do you explain it?” 

She thought about this. “So it’s not a micro computer.” He shook his head no. “It’s been in your family for a long time.” He nodded yes. “You got me? I have no idea.” Silence sat there like a heavyweight. “How did you get it?”

“Oldest son thing, until it wasn't. Then it resumed.”

“When you look at it, what do you see?” she inquired.

He looked at her. “This is the strange part. It reflects something different each time. I saw my father when he was younger. I have seen his parents at different times. Through photographs I have recognized other ancestors.”

“And some day we will be a part of this ornament when we look at it?”

“Yes.” She rose quickly and pulled the ornament out of the box. She walked to the tree and placed it in a prominent position on the tree. She turned and held out her hand.

“I guess this means no sex in front of the tree.” We both grinned as she pulled me into the bedroom.