Papa Panov's Special Christmas
Christmas Eve at Papa Panov's
Once upon a time, on Christmas Eve, in a small Russian village, there lived an old shoemaker named Papa Panov. He stepped out of his workshop to take another look down the street.
The shops and houses had begun to light their lamps, for the short winter day was drawing to a close. Eager children ran indoors, and now, from inside, only muffled voices and laughter could be heard.
The faint, yet delicious, smell of Christmas treats reminded him of years past, when he celebrated Christmas with his wife, who was then alive, and his children, who were small and by his side. Now they had moved to the city.
His usually cheerful face now looked sad. With a heavy heart, he drew the shutters and went inside.
Papa Panov's Dream
He put a coffee pot on the stove and, with a sigh, sat down in his armchair.
Papa Panov didn't read often, but this evening he took out the large family Bible. Papa Panov, tracing the lines with his finger, began to read the Christmas story once again.
— Mary and Joseph walked hand in hand and soon arrived in Bethlehem. They were tired, but found nowhere to rest, so Mary's baby was born in a manger.
— Alas, alas! Why didn't they come here? I would have given them my bed and covered the baby with my quilt.
— Then, the three wise men came looking for Him, bringing wonderful gifts. Little Jesus came into this world, and together they welcomed the King of Kings.
Saddened, Papa Panov put the Bible down.
— Oh, I wouldn't have any gift to offer Him.
Suddenly, his face brightened.
— Ah, I have just the thing! Yes, they're still good. This is what I will give Him as a gift.
Saying this, he put them back and sat down again. He felt tired, and the more he read, the sleepier he became. The letters began to dance before his eyes, so he closed them for a second. In a flash, Papa Panov was fast asleep.
— You wished you could see me, Papa Panov. Look for me tomorrow. It will be Christmas Day, and I will visit you, but be careful, for I will not tell you who I am.
— Wait, wait, wait!
And, waking with a sudden start, Papa Panov awoke. The bells were ringing and light was peeking through the curtains.
— Goodness! It's Christmas!
He got up and stretched, for he was stiff, when his gaze fell upon the clock. It was only 4 in the morning.
— What? It's so early?
Suddenly, he heard a sound outside, and his face brightened, for he remembered his dream.
— Oh, my dream! Yes, my dream! Wow! This Christmas will be very special, for Jesus will visit me! But, but what will He look like? A small baby like at the first Christmas, or an adult, a carpenter, or the great King? I should be watchful all day so I can recognize Him when He comes.
Waiting for Jesus
Papa Panov drew the curtains and opened the window. The street was empty; only a street sweeper was there.
— Oh, it's the street sweeper. But why is he working on Christmas Day? In this cold and fog, especially so early. Hey, hey, come here! Come and drink some warm coffee to warm yourself up!
The sweeper looked up, unable to believe what he was hearing. He quickly put down his broom and entered the warm room. He clasped his cold, red hands around the coffee cup. As he drank it...
— Yes, what? Hmm, are you waiting for someone?
— Yes!
Papa Panov told him about his dream and said he was waiting for Jesus.
— Well, I hope He comes. It would cheer me up a bit for Christmas. I wasn't expecting that. You truly deserve for your dream to come true.
This made Papa Panov smile. The sweeper drank his coffee and left Papa Panov's house filled with joy and warmth.
The Mother and Child
After some time, Papa Panov began to cook a delicious cabbage soup and kept going to the window, waiting for his visitor.
However, looking out the window, he saw a young woman with a face as white and pale as snow. She held a baby bundled in several blankets.
— Oh, dear Lord! How can anyone stand outside in this cold with that poor baby? I must call her inside! Excuse me, young lady!
— Ah, what?
— Please, please, come into my house and warm up! The warmth will help the baby too!
The poor woman couldn't believe it, and her eyes filled with tears.
— Thank you, good sir!
He led her to a chair by the fire. As she sat there, the baby began to coo.
— How adorable! I'll warm up some milk. Rest easy. I'll feed her, I had small children too.
Papa Panov warmed the milk and slowly fed the baby with a spoon. As he did this, he saw that the baby's feet were blue from the cold.
— She needs shoes! Desperately!
— I have no money for such things, and I'm going to the next village to look for work. There's nothing I can do now.
Papa Panov thought for a moment and remembered the little slippers he had seen last night.
— But those slippers are for Jesus!
However, seeing the baby's frozen feet, he made up his mind.
— Here, take these little slippers. Oh, look how well they fit! Ha ha ha! She seems delighted!
The little girl kicked her feet happily.
— You have been very kind to us! May all your Christmas wishes come true!
While the young woman enjoyed the warm soup, he looked anxiously out onto the street. There were many people, but he knew them all. They were neighbors going to call on their relatives. They greeted him, smiled, and wished him a Merry Christmas.
When she finished the soup and the baby felt better, the woman thanked Papa Panov again and left.
— Merry Christmas!
The Beggar
While at the door, Papa Panov saw a beggar walking through the relentless cold. He immediately went inside and took some hot soup and a large piece of bread. Then, he ran outside and gave them to the beggar. He was very happy, thanked him, and left. Papa Panov smiled and went back inside.
Soon, evening came. Papa Panov stood at the window, but could no longer see passersby clearly. And most people were at home inside. Disappointed, he returned to his armchair and sat down, tired.
— Ah, so it was just a dream after all.
Jesus' Visit
Suddenly, before him appeared the old street sweeper, the young mother with her child, and the beggar.
— Didn't you see me, Papa Panov? What? But I don't understand!
Then, another voice answered him. It was the voice from his dream. The voice of Jesus.
— I was hungry, and you fed me. I was helpless and barefoot. You fed me and clothed my feet. I was cold and tired. I didn't know if anyone would notice me, but you did. And you brought me much joy. I came as all three, and you saw, helped, and loved us all equally. Thank you.
Papa Panov couldn't believe what he was seeing and hearing. He was overjoyed. Then, there was complete silence. Only the ticking of the clock could be heard. The room filled with peace and happiness, and so did Papa Panov's heart. Suddenly, he felt like singing, laughing, and dancing with joy.
— Ha ha ha! Ah, so He came after all! We wish you a Merry Christmas! We wish you a Merry Christmas! We wish you a Merry Christmas! We wish you a Merry Christmas and a fulfilled New Year! Ha ha ha!
And so, Papa Panov's generosity brought him a happy Christmas after all. No matter who you are, if you treat everyone with kindness, the world will become a better place. Regardless of religion, God is in all of us. Mainly, we must love everyone equally with all our hearts.
The End.
