Joseph Christmas Guess {Part 2}

Joseph resumed his post behind the counter. It was way past lunch time and still there was no sign of his Guest. Maybe it was was just a silly dream, he thought. Suddenly, one of the young men who bought worms that morning burst into the shop. "Uncle, we need your help. My friend had a hook accidentally caught in his hand . We need a stainless steel blade and pliers to take the hook out," the youth blurted before going off to help his friend bring the injured guy into the shop.

Joseph got busy. He had done this before. He heated the blade with a lighter, cut into the man's skin and pulled out the hook with a pair of pliers. When he sterilised the wound, he noticed that his patient was pale with shock. "How about some ice lemonade for your thirst?" he offered the trio. With their ordeal over, the three friends relaxed and chatted with Joseph about the accident. When they left, it was almost five o'clock.

Joseph was getting ready to close the shop for the day when a young boy walked in with a fishing rod slung over his shoulder. "what can I do for you, son?"

"Nothing, I jist wanted to ask if I tied this line the right way," the boy said.

Joseph took a look at the rig and retied the hooks.
"There you are. You're all set to go fishing," said Joseph. "By the way, who are you going with, son?"

"My Dad, but he was too drunk to go now, so I'm going by myself," the boy replied.

"Wait a minute. I'm coming with you," said Joseph. he collected his rod and tackle box, closed his shop, and walked to the pier with the boy. The tide was rising, the sun was setting, and the old man had fun time fishing with the little guy. When he walked the boy back to his rented chalet by the sea, Joseph thought about the day and decided that this was the most delightful fishing trip he had had in a long while. it was just as well that his Guest had not showed up. He had an eventful and meaningful Christmas.

When he went to bed that night, the Vision revisited Joseph. It smiled and said: "Thank you for spreading the spirit of Christmas, Joe. You were up to the challenge."

"But you did not show up," Joseph protested. "I waited the whole day for you."
"Indeed, I had. How else could your food and drink be consumed so deservingly, and your time be so well spent? The christmas is not to be experienced just for a day, it is to last a lifetime."

Thoughout Boxing Day, Joseph wondered: Was that day extraordinary because it was Christmas or was it because he was expecting someone?

Joseph Christmas Guess {Part 1}

The Christmas season of 'joy and goodwill to all mankind' can be rather depressing to some people. For 65-years-old Joseph, it was usually a lonely period. the Christmas sales, Yuletide carols and the sight of people shopping for gifts only served to remind him of painful memories of his estranged loved once. His two sons and daughters were all grown up and they had their own lives and families. After the death of his wife, Anne, his children and grandchildren stopped coming over to spend Christmas with him. And he had grown tired of visiting them and feeling increasingly unwelcomed and unwanted.

That was why Joseph decided to spend the coming Christmas by himself, tending to the tackle shop he was operating in the coastal town of Port Dickson. Well, his Joe' s Tackle & Angling Supplies Sdn Bhd business had seen better days but it had kept him occupied for the past 10 years after his wife death. Althought business had deteriorated steadily, he would not dream of selling the shop - despite exhortations to do so by his Children. without the shop, what is he going to do with all the time on his hands?

Yes, instead of closing up like the other businesses in his block, he would stay open on Christmas, Joseph thought to himself. Even thought his assistant, Alfred, was on leave, he should be able to manage, especially since there would be fewer customers on a public holiday.

Come Christmas eve, Joseph made himself a nice dinner and some cocktails - and sat on his rocking chair watching a musical programme on television. Soon, he feel asleep. Joseph could not be sure if he was dreaming or not, but he saw an image of a long-haired man in white robes, coming to him from a bright background.

"Who are you, sir?" Joseph asked. "I am an old friend who will be coming to spend Christmas with you. Please be ready for me tomorrow," the vision said and promptly vanished.
When Joseph woke up early in the morning, the dream was still vivid in his mind. "Who is this friend that is coming? Is he Jesus himself? What does he want from me? Is he coming for me at last?" Nevertheless, Joseph got ready for his Visitor. He tidied up the shop, perpared a special meal and made a big jug of ice lemon tea. When he was satisfied that he had everything in order, Joseph opened the grille shutters and waited behind the counter.





*Joseph could not be sure if he was dreaming or not, but he saw an image of a long-haired man in white robes, coming to him from a bright background*





The first visitors were three young men who dropped by to buy some worms and left. They were too much hurry to be considered as his guests. A few hours later, an old woman was tyring to sell him some packets of tissue paper. Joseph was about to chase her away when he noticed that the little girl was limping. she had a festering wounds and it was bleeding.

"Let me get you a bandage for the wound," Joseph told the girl. While he was cleaning the wound on the girl's leg, Joseph noticed that his two visitors were eyeing the food he had perpared. they looked hungry and since it was chrismas, he offered them the meal on the table. the two sat down, ate heartly, thanked him profusely, and went on their way.