Rachel looked out of the window of the flat where she lived with her Mum. It was on the top floor of a large block of flats, and she sighed as she saw a seemingly endless view of other concrete tower blocks. Rachel had no brothers or sisters so she was often lonely and longed to live in the country and have a house with a garden.
'At least I could then have a dog for company' she said, not realising she had spoken aloud.
'What's that dear?' Mum called from the kitchen.
'Nothing' Rachel answered as she turned from the window. 'Can I help?'
'Is everything on the table? Knives, forks, spoons?' Mum asked.
'Yes, everything is ready' and Rachel gave another big sigh.
Mum understood how Rachel felt, but could do nothing about it. She had to work, and they couldn't afford to move to a house with a garden which she knew Rachel longed for.
'Maybe one day we shall be able to move' Mum said not very convincingly.
'You always say that' snapped Rachel, then she ran to her Mum and putting her arms around her said 'I'm sorry. I know you can't help where we live.'
'And it's a very nice flat really. Now isn't it?' Mum said brightly trying to cheer up her daughter.
'I suppose so. I just wish there was someone to play with, and somewhere nice to go, it's .....'
'I know Rachel, I understand.’ Then, after thinking for a moment, Mum said ‘Why don't you invite your two friends again for tea next week. You'd like that, wouldn't you?'
Rachel nodded, and tried to smile. 'I'll ask them tomorrow at school Mum, and can we have some of those crispy chocolate cakes you make? I'll help.'
Mum smiled. 'Of course'. Then, knowing how much Rachel loved them, added ‘But we'll make them the day before they come otherwise I doubt if there would be any left!'
Rachel giggled, and soon she and her Mum were chatting happily about the tea-party and also what they would do for Christmas which was only two weeks away.
On the Saturday Rachel and her Mum went out shopping for all the things they needed for her friends coming, and with two heavy bags to carry they were very relieved to find the lift in their block of flats was working.
Then it was Sunday, and at church Rachel heard again the lovely story of the Star; the Shepherds; the Wise Men; and especially the Baby, Jesus, who was born in a stable.
That week Rachel enjoyed helping her Mum prepare for her party. She was to give her friends their Christmas gifts and she felt very excited as they cooked and later wrapped the presents.
'Can we put up the decorations and the tree now?' Rachel then asked.
'Aren't you tired?' said Mum. 'I was going to do it when you were in bed.'
'Oh, no, I'm fine, not a bit tired and I'd really love to make the room all Christmassy' Rachel insisted.
'All right' Mum agreed. 'I've already got the box of decorations out so we may as well do it now.'
It was a happy time with lots of laughter as they sorted out what could go on the tree and which decorations were too old and falling to pieces. Then the fairy lights were tested, and at last Mum stood on a chair to put the Angel at the very top of the tree. The room was all finished.
'It's beautiful' sighed Rachel, and then yawned.
'Bed-time, I think, sleepy-head' said Mum. 'You have done very well tonight. Curl up on the sofa whilst I make your hot chocolate.'
'May I have two biscuits?' Rachel asked.
Mum pretended to consider this very carefully, then smiled 'Very well, two biscuits for a very special helper.'
Rachel curled up on the sofa and gazed sleepily into the log-effect fire which just looked as if the flickering flames were really there. The large Reindeer which always stood proudly on the mantle above the fire at Christmas-time seemed to be actually galloping along the shelf as the fire flickered and danced.
'If I had a wish' Rachel thought 'I'd ask him to take me for a ride' and she snuggled deeper into the cushions.
'Come along then' said a deep voice.
'Who is that?' Rachel asked.
'Me! Of course!' And Rachel turned to see the cheery-looking Reindeer standing in front of her.
'Hop on' he said. 'I'm going to take you somewhere very special.'
Rachel didn't need to be asked twice, she quickly climbed on his back and in a twinkling they were riding through a starry sky.
'Enjoying yourself?' the Reindeer asked as he turned his head.
'It's brilliant' she replied. 'Where are we going?'
'Ha ha' he replied. 'Wait and see, I'm a very clever Reindeer, I can go where I like and when I like.'
'Great' Rachel laughed. 'I don't mind where I go, I love adventures.’ She looked around and saw the stars flashing by.
‘The Reindeer can certainly fly swiftly’ she thought.
After a while they began to descend and Rachel saw that she was in a country very different from her own. Gone were the tower blocks, and gone were all the busy streets that she knew, instead the houses had flat roofs, and people were riding donkeys.
'And they are wearing strange clothes' was her next thought. She was fascinated.
'Do you know where you are?' the Reindeer asked.
'Not yet' Rachel said thoughtfully.
'Well look over there' he said pointing his nose towards a sort of stable. Rachel looked and the first thing she noticed was a very bright star twinkling and shining with all its might. Rachel had never seen such a bright star. A bright Star - brighter than anyone had ever seen?!!! Rachel laughed and clapped her hands. 'I know' she shouted. 'I know.'
'I thought you would' the Reindeer smiled at Rachel as he landed gently in front of the stable. Rachel then climbed down and walked quietly to the stable door.
She peeped around and was just in time to hear a group of Shepherds say ‘We heard an Angel choir. They told us to come here and see the new baby, God's Son.’
‘Come right in' said the baby's Mother, and Rachel knew it was Mary.
'Isn't He beautiful?' Joseph asked the Shepherds, but they didn't answer, they were kneeling down in front of the manger and worshipping the tiny babe.
Rachel felt the tears come to her eyes, and then Mary looked up and saw her. 'Come in, little girl' she beckoned. 'You may see Him too.'
Rachel tiptoed in and looked at Jesus. 'He is so tiny' she whispered, 'And I haven't brought Him a birthday present. I'm so sorry.'
Mary smiled gently at Rachel. 'Give Him your love' she said. 'That's the greatest gift of all.'
'Oh, I shall' Rachel promised, and the baby opened His eyes and smiled at her. Rachel felt her heart would burst, and whilst she was searching for words to say, the stable door was pushed further open.
'More visitors, my dear' said Joseph, and invited them in. And in came Three Wise Men, gorgeously dressed. They took Rachel's breath away.
'We have brought Him Gold - for He is our King' said the First Wise Man as he knelt down.
'And Frankincense for He is God the Son' the Second Wise Man said as he, too, knelt.
And the Third Wise Man looked tenderly at the baby as he said 'This is Myrrh, for you will suffer to save men from their sins.'
The stable was silent as each one thought of the words of the Wise Men.
Then the Reindeer pushed Rachel with his cold nose. 'Time to go' he said. But Rachel didn't want to leave the wonder of the stable and pleaded 'Oh, not yet.'
The Reindeer gave her an understanding smile as if he also was reluctant to leave. 'It's time to go' he repeated. 'I'm sorry.'
Rachel hugged him 'Thank you for bringing me' she said as she climbed once more on to his back. Slowly they circled the stable for one last look. 'This is what Christmas is all about' said the Reindeer as they sped through the moonlit sky. 'The Gift of God to the world.'
'What a Christmas present' murmured Rachel sleepily.
'Were you speaking dear?' Were you speaking, Rachel?' It was Mum's voice sounding ever so far away. 'Here's your hot chocolate and biscuits, I think you dropped off to sleep' - and there was Mum smiling at her.
Rachel sat up. 'I've been to ....'
'Yes, you've been asleep, drink this and then straight off to bed.'
'No, I mean I've been .....' Rachel stopped and looked intently at the Reindeer on the mantleshelf. Had she been to the Stable? And did she see the Reindeer smile at her? Or was it just the flickering firelight?
Rachel smiled to herself. She was sure she knew the answer!
  Elizabeth Aynsley ©

Luke 2 vs. 8 - 20 and Matthew 2 vs. 1 - 12.