November 2012
The top of the Christmas tree had always reached to within inches of the ceiling, and Angelica, the fairy, had remembered being carefully placed up there, proud and serene every December for the last twenty years, with her bright tinsel tiara on her head and her slightly bent wand in her hand. But being stuffed casually into the box on Twelfth Night every year, with all the other decorations, was taking its physic toll on her, and she knew that one day soon another fairy might take her place on the top. It made her very sad to think of it.
She always knew when Christmas was getting near, someone would open the hatch to the attic and take down the winter coats from the cupboard, and find the winter boots, skates, sledges and snow shovels, and take them downstairs. Also the attic seemed colder and there was less light coming in through the small window under the eaves.
Angelica loved Christmas, the lights, the smells, the songs and laughter, friends and family all together, enjoying themselves and relaxing. She had seen so many people come and go over the 20 years, children growing up, from wee babies crawling around, through teenage years, going to college and returning. Such happy times.
Suddenly there was a sound of the attic lock being pushed back . . . the time had come . . . the hatch opened and a head then body came into the attic. But what was this? They weren't taking down the usual winter things? They had picked up two suitcases; why? These were passed through the gap in the attic floor. Then large hands grabbed the Christmas box and Angelica felt herself tipping as it was also passed through. The hatch was pushed up and locked, and the box was taken downstairs; at last thought Angelica, her time to shine.
The box was placed onto the dining room table and smaller hands started to take pieces out and lay them down. But as Angelica looked round she was aware that something was wrong…..where was the tree? It was always at this end of the long room that was a dining room and lounge combined. There was no tree! What was happening?
'I can't see any point.'
'I agree; as we are going away next week and will be in Australia for the next two months, there is no point.'
Going away? To Australia? But it was Christmas, the family and friends always came round over Christmas. What on earth was happening?
'Well now both the children have made their lives over there, we might as well spend a good period of time with them and seeing the country. I'm really looking forward to it.'
'I thought that as this is likely to happen every year now, I would give the decorations to the church. They asked for any spares last Sunday. These look ok, don't they?'
'Of course they do. A great idea. I'll just give the box a shake then we can pack things in and take them along today.'
No more Christmases at the house! Never seeing the family together again! Being given away! Angelica could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. Would anyone at the church see her value, she her special points?
Soon she was packed back in the box with the other decorations. Then placed in the car and driven to the church hall, passed over to a group of ladies who were sorting things out and decorating all around the building. Everywhere looked so lovely and bright, cheerful and shining. Soon everything had been used except Angelica, she didn't know how she kept the tears from falling. She could see a very large tree by the altar, but there was no room for her, at the very top was a large bright shining star. They didn't need her.
Just then a little girl came running up to the table.
'Hello, Evie,' said one of the ladies. 'What have you been doing?'
'Helping to set up the Nativity scene at the end of the church,' Evie replied. 'But we have a problem.'
'Oh dear and what is that?'
'We are missing an angel, 'whispered Evie. 'Have you got one?'
'No I'm afraid not.'
Evie looked at the table.
'What about this?' she asked picking up Angelica.
'That's not an angel, that's a fairy.'
'But it's lovely, such a kind face. Please can I have it? I'm sure it will fit in just right.'
Angelica held her breath and wished hard.
'Of course you can.'
Evie grabbed Angelica, ran down the church, and hung her from the top of the Nativity stable, near the back but just over where Baby Jesus lay.
'There, absolutely fine, just right,' shouted Evie.
As the church cleared and the lights dimmed, Angelica felt a warmth come over her, perhaps there was someone who wanted her, perhaps she was needed still.
A week later and Christmas morning came, the church was filling up, children and families. A little group came to the Nativity scene, a girl, a little boy and their parents.
'See, Joshua, my angel is there looking down. Isn't she beautiful, I bet she has seen things. If only she could talk and tell us.' Evie whispered.
Soon there were lots of people looking and exclaiming how lovely the Nativity scene was this year. Angelica was so proud and hung there so serene, wearing her bright tinsel tiara and holding her slightly bent wand. She had a new family now, a large one. She was the Christmas Angel.