The Christmas Snowglobe By Brandy Davis

11:54 - On Christmas Eve. Six minutes before Christmas morning starts and all Hannah can do is stare out of her window, watching snow silently falling. She wraps herself in her Christmas tree robe she had wanted so badly when she was sixteen and her dear old grandpa had caved in and got it for her. Thankfully, at twenty-two, it still fits her. Especially this year.

11:56 - The clock on the wall reminds her time goes on even though she wants to freeze time. Tears threaten to fall again, and she quickly shakes her head. “I just can’t cry anymore. I just can’t,” she whispers to herself. Those tears give birth to daily occurrences these days, and she can’t bear to shed anymore. Earlier that night, she was curled up next to her grandma on the couch, listening to her father read the Christmas story. A comfy chair sat empty. Grandpa’s chair. Holding her grandma’s hand, Hannah saw a few tears slip through her grandma’s eyes. The first Christmas without the love of her life.

11:59 - Images of past Christmas eves replay in her head. Her grandparents would always spend the night at their house and at midnight, her grandpa would leave a present in front of her brother’s and her doors. It was always a thrilling moment for them.

“Please, no. I can’t do this. He won’t be there. I can’t do this. I can’t believe how hard this is.” The grief breaks through and she sobs into her pillow. Soft tapping is heard on her door, or so she thinks.

“No, I’m just hearing things. My mind is playing tricks on me.” Then the same tapping is heard on her brother’s door next door. Trembling, she jumps up and tiptoes to her door. She slowly opens the door and there on the floor is a box wrapped with white Christmas tree wrapping paper. There is a card that reads “Hannah.” It is in her grandpa’s handwriting. She gasps and her eyes dart down the hall. Her grandma is at her own bedroom door and gives Hannah a slight nod and a smile before closing her door. Hannah bends down and picks up the present. She closes her door and takes the present to her bed, handling the gift delicately. She takes the card off carefully, not wanting to rip any of the paper. It is a blank white card with her name on it. Opening it, she sees the familiar beloved handwriting of her grandpa. It floors her, making the tears fall once again.

Dear Hannah,

Merry Christmas, sweet girl. I know you are surprised. You weren’t expecting this, and I’m glad I could surprise you one last time. You are heartbroken right now and that is ok. I know I’m not there for Christmas and I know you are probably not in your usual “I Love Christmas!” bubbly attitude. And that is ok too. Before you open your present, I sure hope you waited to read this first, I need to share some things first.

You will always be my special girl. You are a gift from the Lord Jesus to me and your grandmother. Watching you as you gave your heart to Jesus when you were ten and watching how the Lord has grown you over the years has been one of my greatest joys. Because, sweet girl, I will see you again. YOU will see ME again. I am with the Lord now and you know how ready I was to finally be with my Lord and Savior. The only thing I was broken about was to leave you all behind. So, I left you the one thing that will help you spiritually and emotionally.

First a story, our story. You know it by heart, but you know me, I love telling our story. It all started when you were eight and had the flu. You had to stay home from a family Christmas party at your aunt’s house and I stayed home with you. You were miserable. You were missing Christmas, one of your favorite days. So, I brought you a snow globe. It had a huge gold star in the middle that lit up and when you shook it up, snowflakes swirl around the star. On the bottom, it read “Jesus is light.” I wanted you to know that no matter what you go through in this life, Jesus will be your light in the dark times, if you believe in Him. You were so happy to get it and felt so special. I was glad to make you smile that Christmas.

Then you returned the favor to remind me of this. When my sister died, you saw I took it hard. I remember how you came in the front door and then came to sit next to me on the couch. You were so still and then you put the snow globe in my hand, whispering, “To remind you Jesus is your light during the dark times.” I broke down. The Lord knew I desperately needed to hear that. And the kindness you showed me… oh dear girl. You will never know how that touched your old grandpa’s heart.

Then you were getting ready to go off to college a few states away and were terrified. Remember how I took you for a drive for some ice cream and you started crying in the truck? I had pulled over and hugged you. I placed the snow globe in your hands. It was your turn to be reminded that Jesus is light in your darkness. Of course, that made you cry even more, but they were happy tears.

When I got really sick and the doc had said I wouldn’t live much longer, you came and gave the snow globe back to me. With a soft, cracking voice, you said, “Grandpa, I know you aren’t scared to go home to the Lord, but I know you will be sad for us and still feel physical pain. You need this more than ever. Jesus is your light through this dark time.” Yup, more tears and hugs were shared. I can’t tell you how much the Lord has used the snow globe to remind me who He is. I thank you, sweet girl, for allowing Him to use you in that special way.

And now, for the final time, I will pass the snow globe back to you. I don’t need it anymore. Remember the Lord through your grief. It can be an overwhelming darkness that can suck all joy from your heart. Jesus is your light. Let Him be your light. He loves you so much. Remember how He gave His life for you on the cross. Cling to Him, sweet girl. Soon... oh so soon, we will be reunited and worshipping the Lord together. I can’t wait. Until that glorious day, rejoice in the Lord. I will see you again.

Merry Christmas and I love you.Grandpa.

Brandy Davis lives in Washington State with her husband and two sons. Brandy became a Christian during her teen years and her passion is to share the gospel, the good news, through her writings. She writes poetry, short stories, and is currently in the editing process of her first novel.