A TEENAGE BOY'S CHRISTMAS by Rolleen.

It was the week before Christmas, and throughout Healdsburg, a small, quaint town nestled in the rolling hills, people were bustling about, getting last minute gifts and decorations. The streets were lined with twinkling lights and festive wreaths, and the smell of pine and gingerbread filled the air. For sixteen-year-old Alex, a tall and lanky teenager with messy brown hair, this time of year meant one thing: new video games.

"I can't wait to see what you got me this year, Mom and Dad," he said excitedly as he sat down at the kitchen table for breakfast. His parents, both short and round with kind faces, chuckled.

"We'll have to wait and see, won't we?" his mother replied with a wink. Every year, they would spoil him with the latest and greatest titles, and he couldn't wait to spend the entire holiday break holed up in his room, controller in hand.

As he lay in bed on Christmas Eve, his mind racing with anticipation, he couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt. He knew that Christmas was supposed to be about more than just material possessions and having fun. It was about the birth of Jesus and the incredible gift of salvation that he brought to the world. But try as he might, Alex couldn't shake the excitement of opening up those shiny new boxes on Christmas morning. As he drifted off to sleep, he prayed that God would help him remember the true meaning of the holiday.

The next morning, he woke up to the sound of his parents, both now dressed in their Sunday best, calling him down to the living room. "Come on, sleepyhead, it's Christmas morning!" his father exclaimed.

As he made his way down the stairs, he was greeted by the sight of a tree sparkling with lights and ornaments, and a pile of gifts beneath it. The living room was warm and cozy, with the fireplace crackling and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air.

"Merry Christmas, Alex!" his parents chorused as he approached the tree.

As he tore into the packages, he couldn't help but feel a sense of joy and gratitude. But as he reached the last one, he was surprised to find a small, plain-looking book nestled among the tissue paper. "What's this?" he asked, holding up the book.

"It's a gift from us to you," his mother replied with a smile. "We thought it might help you remember the true meaning of Christmas."

Curious, he opened it up and began to read. As he delved deeper into the pages, he was struck by the powerful message of love and redemption that it contained. Alex couldn't help but feel a wave of emotion wash over him. He had always known that Christmas was about more than just getting presents and having fun, but he had never truly understood the depth of its meaning. As he thought about the birth of Jesus and the incredible sacrifice that he made for us, he was filled with a sense of awe and gratitude. Jesus, the Son of God, had come to earth as a tiny, helpless baby, born in a stable, and yet he had grown up to live a perfect life and willingly die on the cross to pay the price for our sins. It was a love that was beyond anything that Alex had ever experienced or could comprehend, and he knew that he could never repay it. All he could do was accept it with a humble heart and try to live his life in a way that honored it.

He closed the book and looked up at his parents, tears welling up in his eyes. "Thank you, Mom and Dad," he said, his voice choked with emotion. "I understand now. Christmas isn't just about getting presents and having fun. It's about celebrating the birth of Jesus and the incredible sacrifice that he made for us.”

His parents smiled and nodded, their own eyes misting over. "We're glad you understand, Alex," his father said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Christmas is about so much more than just presents and fun. It's about the greatest gift of all - the gift of salvation through Jesus."

From that day on, Alex made a commitment to always remember the true meaning of Christmas and to celebrate it in a way that honored Jesus and the incredible sacrifice that he made for us.