Keri's Christmas Wish

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

~ Isaiah 9:6

KERI’S CHRISTMAS WISH

by

Pamela S Thibodeaux

Publisher/Distributor:

Temperance Publishing; an imprint of

Pamela S. Thibodeaux Enterprises, LLC

PO Box 324

Iowa, LA 70647

Copyright © 2016 by Pamela S. Thibodeaux

ISBN# 978-1-7342451-6-5

Cover Design: GetCovers.com

Published in the Unites States of America

Publishing History: First edition Dec. 3, 2016

Note:

This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination, or, if real, used fictitiously.

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Chapter One

Bah humbug! Keri frowned as she scrolled the news feeds on her social media sites. The madness has started already. Christmas in July. Before long it’d be Christmas decorations up alongside Halloween costumes and Christmas stockings next to turkey stuffing.

The entire world went bug-eyed crazy when it came to Christmas.

What are you grumbling about? Jeremy looked up from his tablet. Oops. The crease in his forehead indicated his confusion, and no wonder. In the six weeks they’d dated, not once had Keri given any indication to her aversion to the holiday season.

Oh, well, he’s bound to find out soon enough.

Irritation crawled up her spine and leapt through her lips. We’ve barely gotten past Independence Day and now everyone is jumping on the ‘Christmas in July’ bandwagon. Aggravates the fire out of me.

What have you got against Christmas?

Nothing, except it’s a false holiday.

Seriously?

Was that curiosity or dismay in his expression? Probably both, poor guy.

"Yeah. I mean, according to every theologian I’ve read, studied under or debated with, Jesus was not born on December 25th. He wasn’t even born in December. And, even if he were, this holiday has become anything but a celebration of His birth.

It’s an overinflated season, hyped up to rip off the public with ridiculous schemes and price gouging in order to get more money for something of little or no value. Then, when it’s all over, the retail industry moans and complains about how much money they ‘lost’ until I want to puke up tinsel, lights and icicles.

Jeremy ogled her as though she’d lost her mind. Wow, not sure if I want to know what made you so cynical.

She took a deep breath and tried to find an answer—as much for herself as for Jeremy. She couldn’t recall any particular incident that turned her against Christmas, but her aversion for the holiday went way back in her psyche. Had she ever not been a bit of a Christmas scrooge?

Keri shut down the computer and stretched a kink out of her shoulders. Crossing the room to where he sat reading, she slipped her arms around Jeremy and gave him as cheerful a smile as she could muster. I’ll get over it. Maybe this will be the year of my Christmas miracle and I won’t feel this way anymore.

He eyed her, one eyebrow arched in question.

I’ve prayed for years to understand these intense feelings I have about the commercialism of Christmas, but so far, no such luck. I don’t know when it all started or why, but it’s been my wish for years that I could just chill and enjoy the festivities.

He squeezed her in a tight hug and kissed the tip of her nose. Then that’s my Christmas wish for you also. I’ll add it to my prayer list, and we’ll see what happens. In the meantime, I’d suggest you stay away from sites that promote the ‘Christmas in July’ propaganda and find ways to start looking forward to the real celebrations.

She smiled up at him, this time for real. Will do. Now what are we doing for dinner?

Jeremy glanced at their attire and suggested a familiar, classy-but-casual diner. Keri ran a brush through her sable hair, and they were out the door. Conversation remained sweet and lightly romantic while they ate, and Christmas wasn’t mentioned again until they were almost home.

What kind of things have you done besides prayer to uncover the root of your Christmas malady? Jeremy shot her a quick smile before returning his attention to the road.

Keri shrugged. I’ve read every cute, funny, serious and spiritual story around the holiday, watched sweet and humorous movies, sat for long moments of silence in front of nativity scenes and brightly decorated trees and tried to figure it out. I just can’t seem to get past the commercialization into the heart of the issue.

Jeremy pulled into a spot next to her car, put his in park and turned to face her. Well, I’d be willing to help you. If you don’t think that would be too weird or anything.

She pressed a kiss to his cheek and opened her car door. I don’t think it’d be weird. I’m just afraid you might run as fast and far as you can away from me when you find out how truly crazy I am. She tried to laugh as she scrambled from the car, but the sound lacked even the tiniest trace of humor.

Jeremy hurried to catch up and walked with her to the door of her apartment. He turned her in his arms and pressed a kiss to her lips, then took her key and opened the door. He didn’t walk away until she closed and locked it.

Keri smiled as his footsteps faded into the night. As always, Jeremy made her feel safe and protected. Not too common in men these days, but she liked it a lot.

––––––––

Jeremy made his way back to his vehicle, the echo of fear in Keri’s words striking a nerve deep in his heart.

Keri Jackson was highly intelligent, deeply emotional, and intensely complex. He’d known that the first time he saw her. As a psychotherapist, he’d dealt with personalities as diverse and varied as the different species of plants and animals which inhabited the earth. The fact that he encouraged the use of spiritual practices with his patients made his treatment unique, if a bit unorthodox from a medical standpoint.

Jeremy believed God was much bigger than man could even comprehend. The study of religious modalities and how they played into the human psyche fascinated him. That’s why, when a patient shared their personal beliefs with him, he was able to incorporate those beliefs into a highly specific, individual program, along with modern techniques and methods of accessing the deepest level of consciousness in that patient.

At home, Jeremy changed into sweatpants and a T-shirt and settled in for his nightly devotions. With a Bible, prayer journal and pen in hand, he added Keri’s Christmas wish to his prayer list, and then had a conversation with God.

* * * * *

Keri lay awake for long hours after Jeremy dropped her off. Oh, Lord, what would You have me do? I love you with my whole heart. Why can’t I get past this issue with Your birth?

The musical tinkle of wind chimes filled the air. Keri closed her eyes and listened as the sweet melody soothed her troubled spirit. Soon she drifted into a dreamless slumber. When she awoke, sunlight streamed through her bedroom windows.

She pushed the covers back and swung her legs over the edge of the bed while her mind went through the litany of things she had to be grateful for. She’d implemented this practice years ago. It stirred up enough positive energy to get her through the snarl of