www.brainerddispatch.com | Sunday, December 22, 2019 E1
Christmas Stories of
Several stories were submitted this year for the Brainerd Dispatch’s 31st annual Stories of Christmas contest. On the following pages, you’ll find the winners in the three categories: Kids, Teens and Adults. Weather drawings submitted by local elementary school children are being used as accent pictures to go along with the winning entries.
Thanks to all who took the time to submit their stories. Enjoy reading and Merry Christmas! ADult Division - 1st Place
Teen Division - 1st Place
Christmas of ’56
A Little Peace
Weather drawing by Logan Erickson of Mrs. Olson’s first grade class at Garfield Elementary School. It was Christmas Eve of 1956, and I was a 20-year-old man who was asked to play Santa for some of the neighbors of my small town. I put on my Santa clothes, beard, boots and hat and had my brother drive me around to the neighbors, with my then-girlfriend riding along. We had one neighbor with seven children and in the father’s words, “My youngest son is 4 years old and he’s the naughtiest kid you ever saw. I need you to put a real Santa scare in him.” So we got to the house and as soon as I walked in, the little boy took off running
around the kitchen table, scared of me. I pretended to be a mad Santa and took off after him, letting him stay just far ahead enough of me. After several laps around the table, the little boy stopped and with a defeated voice said, “Santa, I promise I’ll never fart in church again!” We all had a great laugh about that. The best part of the story is I proposed to my girlfriend that very night and we’ve now been married 62 years. Alphonse Jenniges Brainerd
Kids Division - 1st Place
Sam and Snowy Play in the Snow Once there was a little bear named Sam sleeping in his cave waiting for spring to come when suddenly he woke up and thought it was spring so he walked outside, but it was still winter. He was sad he had to go back to sleep, but as he started to walk back outside he heard a shy voice say, “Hello.” He turned around and saw a little snowman. Sam asked, “What’s your name? “My name is Snowy. What’s your name?” asked Snowy.
“My name is Sam. Do you want to play with me?” Yes, I do want to play,” said Snowy. “But what should we do?” asked Sam. “Let’s go ice skating on the pond,” said Snowy. So they both went down to the pond. After they were done ice skating, Sam said, “Let’s have a snowball fight,” so they both made walls of snow to hide behind. Sam launched his first attack, but it missed Snowy. Then Snowy threw his snowball.
“Let there be peace on Earth…” The air is filled with Christmas spirit. Everyone, from the stray cats roaming the streets to the shoppers overflowing with gifts, seems to have a skip in their step. But I’m not here to tell you about the joyful town. The feeling of peace in the air. I’m here to tell you of a different peace. A peace that is above all else. And so it begins with a small house perched on a country hill. Unlike the large homes in town, this one is not decorated with even a wreath upon the front door. But with a look inside you will find a tree, ornaments being hung by a large family. There’s something missing though, a mother. The fever took many that year. Later that evening the family settles in. In contrast, the youngest girl, no older than 9, tugs on her boots and opens the front door. She hurries down the steps. Her bare hands no match for the biting chill of the night. She keeps a quick pace, only slowing when she reaches a worn path. A church looms
It hit Sam in the face. Snowy said, “I need to get to the North Pole before I melt.” “But I might never see you again,” said Sam. “I will come back next year,” said Snowy. So Sam waved goodbye until he couldn’t see Snowy anymore and Sam trudged back to his cave and went to sleep. When he woke up and looked outside, “It’s spring!” he yelled. He went out to play. “Snowy!” he called. “It’s spring,” but then he remembered Snowy had left. He felt lonely the rest of the summer. When it was winter again and he was sleeping in his cave, he heard someone say, “Wake up!” Sam opened his eyes and saw Snowy! “You came back!” “Of course I did!” said Snowy. They played together again and they had SNOW much fun! Andrew Rioux Baxter, Age 9
Weather drawing by Audri Hollingsworth of Mrs. Johnson’s fourth grade class at St. Francis School. above her. Opening the door she steps into the warm, candlelit sanctuary. There’s a feeling you get in that church. Something I hope she feels, happier than happy, calmer than calm. Kneeling down in the front pew, she bows her head, closes her eyes. “God, fill me with peace,” she prays, “And Mum, I hope you’re up there. We’re all missing you this Christmas an — and I... I…” Her voice falters, tears streaming down her rosy cheeks.
I wish I could go down, tell her it’s OK. Instead I kneel, where I am, and I too pray to God that He fill her with peace this Christmas. Suddenly, her shaking shoulders cease, and wiping a tear from her cheek, she allows a smile to spread across her face. At that moment, I knew. Perhaps there isn’t peace on Earth this Christmas, but there certainly is in that young girl … in my daughter. Bridget Wells Baxter, Age 13
Weather drawing by Kara Hutchison of Mrs. Martin’s first grade class at Garfield Elementary School.