Welcome to day 4 of the Advent Event! Please share this event with your friends. The more anthologies we can sell, the more money we can raise for the National Down Syndrome Society.

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Here’s a look at the next two stories:
“It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” by Susan Dayley

A straggly Christmas tree stood in the foyer. We passed it on our way to the brightly lit gym (it was years before we heard of rooms called “cultural halls”). Like a beggar in a mink coat, the tree had been strung with multi-colored lights, popcorn, and paper-chain garland with red and green links made by Primary children. Someone had contributed some crocheted snowflakes and a thin, white skirt with glitter embedded in it.
The gym echoed with shoes on the wood floors, the clang of adjusting metal chairs, loud greetings, and laughter. Our mom directed us to a row of chairs that faced the stage. To the left, a dark brown upright piano had its back to us. The pianist was warming up with “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” its soft strains lost beneath the conversations.

Peace on the earth, goodwill to men
From heaven’s all gracious King!

My dad called for everyone’s attention, and we got right to the singing. Daddy led, choosing lively songs and allowing his strong voice to carry above everyone’s, pushing the lyrics forward while the piano strained to keep up. “You know Dasher and Dancer and Comet and Vixen. . .”
In those days, no one had heard of ward parties with themes like “Christmas in Bethlehem,” “A Nauvoo Christmas,” “Christmas Around the World,” or any of our current productions that focus on our Savior. Back then, a night of singing that cumulated in a visit from “The Jolly Old Elf” was common.

Jack turned the black iPod over in his hands. It was a good thing Led Zeppelin had finally caught up with the digital age, even if Jack really didn’t get his dad’s obsession. One Christmas wish down—now he just had to make sure Dad got it before it was too late.
“Whatcha doing?” his little sister Maren called from the doorway, obviously shifting from first to fifth gear of obnoxious.
Jack rolled his eyes and turned back to his computer. “Go away.”
“Lemme see. It looks cool.”
“It is cool, and you’re not touching it.”
She screwed up her lips and folded her arms, taking three steps into his room to pout just out of his reach. “I’ll tell Mom.”
“Yeah, right, and I’ll tell her what you did with Dad’s favorite T-shirt.” Like they weren’t losing him fast enough as it was, she had to go ruining that, too.
Maren scowled at him. “Nuh uh.”
“Get lost.”
She lunged for the iPod, but Jack pulled it out of her reach. Maren jumped on top of him, one bony knee landing hard on his leg and the other driving into his stomach. In a reflex he couldn’t stop, he curled into a ball and shoved her to the floor.

And here a look of one of the prizes:

Susan Corpany will send one lucky winner a basket full of goodies from Hawaii where she lives. What’s in this basket of wonders? You’ll just have to win to find out, though I’m pretty sure chocolate-covered macadamia nuts are a pretty good bet.

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