“The Twelve Days of Christmas” by Ale.

Gabriel was looking for a way to make Christmas this year extra special. He had been searching for ways to prove how deep and real his love for the woman of his dreams was for a long time. Well, ever since they got together years before. For some reason though, this year was even more important than the previous years.

He wanted her to know that she meant the world to him, that she was his only true love. So he started early in his search for the ‘perfect gift’

On the famous ‘First Day of Christmas’ he bought her a small basket of her favourite fruit and chocolate. But somehow, even though he knew she’d be thrilled, it wasn’t enough.

On the second day he bought her a beautiful cashmere scarf, to keep her warm from the cold. Even though it described his desire to protect her, it wasn’t enough.

On the third day he bought her hundreds of fairy lights, to keep her home well lit and super cosy. But still, it didn’t express his deep desire to prove his love.

On the fourth day of Christmas he bought her a bird, to keep her company when she felt alone. Something was still missing.

On the fifth day he bought her golden rings.

On the sixth and seventh days he named stars in the sky after her. He knew she’d be blown away by his thoughtfulness, and the money he had spent to express his love, but he still wanted to do more.

On the eighth day he bought her one hundred acres of land, where she could run and be free. So she could leave all her worries and the rush of the city behind her. She could build a home, and fill the garden with all the flowers her heart desired.

He thought that she would be happy with his hard work and all the energy that he had put into buying her the perfect gifts, and he went to bed happy and very pleased with himself.

But on the ninth day, he had an uneasy feeling inside. Something was still missing. She was his true love, nothing was too much for her.

So he set out to find something that would blow her away. That would prove how he felt about her.

On the ninth day he wrote her a song, and had an orchestra record it.
On the tenth day he bought her a week at a day spa, where she would be waited on all day and all night. She would never be alone.

On the eleventh day he bought her the most beautiful diamond earrings he could find. The lady in the shop assured him that she would be the happiest girl in the world.

He wanted desperately to believe her, but deep down in his heart, he knew that something wasn’t right. Exhausted and frustrated with his inability to bless his true love with everything she deserved.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, he heard the doorbell ring. As he prepared all his gifts, he realized what he had missed. He realized what he had done wrong. He realized why none of the gifts were good enough, as beautiful as they may be.

He put everything away and went to open the door.

“This year,” he said “my gift to you is me. Uninterrupted, undistracted time with me. Time for us to be together, to laugh together, to enjoy what Christmas is about together. Just you and me.”

Christmas is not in tinsel and lights and outward show.
The secret lies in an inner glow.
It’s lighting a fire inside the heart.
Good will and joy a vital part.
It’s higher thought and a greater plan.
It’s glorious dream in the soul of man. –Wilfred A. Peterson (The Art of Living)