A Christmas wish

The night of December 23. Aloy, Seela and daughter Marina were with the happy swarm of Christmas shoppers on Main Street, Pettah. As always, there was cacophony of sounds. Voices of children, carols from the many DVD, VCD sellers and also the sound of crackers.

Seela was expecting her second baby and Marina was very excited. “Thaththa, is it like this in all the countries?” “Yes duwa, Christmas time is enjoyed by almost all countries because it is just seven days before the New Year. New classes, new clothes, new books, new toys. You can see people buying crackers and fireworks to light on New Year's Day. We light them on Christmas day also. It is a children's festival.

We go to church to say Happy Birthday to our Baby Jesus.’

”Amma, will our new chooty malli that you are going to give us be able to go to Church for Midnight Mass?” Amma and Thaththa smiled.

“Must hang a pillow case for malli too. I am sure Santa will bring something nice for him.”

“Why do you think that our baby will be a malli?”
“Baby Jesus is a boy, so he will give me a malli.”

They took a trishaw to St. Philip Neris’ Church on Olcott Street. After praying at the main altar, they went up to the statue of the Mother of Jesus on the left wing, where she is with Baby Jesus pointing a finger at somebody.

Little Marina was smiling. “I am sure Jesus heard. Look! He is showing me to our Mother Mary.He must be saying we will give her a Malli.

“Thaththa what shall we give Baby Jesus for Christmas?” Aloy and Seela spoke in whispers. Aloy embraced their little jewel. They sat between Marina on a pew.

“Duwa, can you remember the day you gave your new pair of shoes to a mother and girl who came to our house for alms?” “Yes.” “We have seen you feeding those stray cats and dogs near Sunil Uncle's appa kade."

“Yes, Amma, they love me. I love them too.”
“We also saw you giving some sweets from your bag to street children today.”

“Yes, Thaththa. I am sure they were hungry for sweets,”little Marina gave a mischievous smile.

“You gave some of your pocket money too to those two seeyas at the entrance to the church,”he said . “ Yes – one was just like Alfred Seeya.”

“My darling duwa, amma and archchie told me how you applied oil on archchi's legs while keeping them on your lap.” Marina smiled. Aloy and Seela embraced her. Seela was wiping a tear.

“Now my duwa all those beautiful things you did, and will do when you are a big girl, are the most loving presents you can give Baby Jesus. He has said that the smallest favour and help you give to those who are hungry and are unable to buy nice things are actually what you give to Him. So, my sweet Marina, He too will give you whatever you want."

“Thaththa, I told Jesus to tell Santa to give amma a chooty baba like Baby Jesus. A malliya for me".

A few people who were watching them also overheard the innocent chatter. All shuffled Marina's hair.

Then it was December 24. Only Seeya, Ian uncle, nandhi and Marina were in church for Midnight Mass. The others were all in the nursing home with Seela. Holy Mass was over. A nativity play with Marina as Mother Mary was followed by lots of the usual fellowship amidst milk coffee, kiribath, crackers and embraces.

A call from the nursing home. At 1.20 in the morning of December 25, Seela had been blessed with a baby boy. Marina was in tears. The family rushed to the abode of joy.

Wrapped in a blue coloured blanket Aloy junior slept in his mother's arms. Seela smiled. A contagious smile of joy and love. Marina gave a kiss to amma. Also to thaththa.

“You see my duwa, because He was so happy with you, He gave you the Christmas present you wanted so much.”

“Thaththa, let us give all my other presents to those other nangi's and malli's. I have got the most beautiful present from Jesus. Amma you and my malliya.” - Everyone in that blessed room shed tears of love and thanksgiving.

Siripathy Jayamaha