Oh, what a busy day I've had. The seven-foot tree is up and decorated. The rest of the Christmas decorations are finished. Holiday cards are in the mail. Every year I look forward to putting up my putz. There are many pieces which have been passed down from my grandmother to me. And of course, I always have to purchase one new building and a few resin people or animals and trees. It's time-consuming putting it all up and taking it all down. But to me it's worth it. So, as I place the last few remaining figurines within the Christmas village, I admire the final product. I must admit the village does look spectacular this year. There's a sense of warmth and spirited joy radiating from the scene. Now it's time to relax. I'm exhausted. Grabbing my hot mug of steaming Swiss Miss with miniature marshmallows I drag myself to the sofa and wrap up tightly in a soft Christmas blanket. My body falls numb. I'm so tired. As I gaze into the flickering flames of the hearth, I feel myself being drawn to the fireplace. Slowly I stand and walk toward the fire. But not the fire, the village. In an instant I find myself standing in the middle of this beautiful Christmas village next to the wishing well. Unbeknownst to the villagers I stand in awe. A boy and his dog run past me. The dog stops, sniffs the air and continues chasing the boy. No one notices me but I can hear, see and feel everything that is happening. I hear the church bells ringing, children's laughter, and people singing. I see festive lights, smiling faces, and caring generosity. I can smell hot chocolate, baked goods, and Christmas scents of pine, peppermint, cinnamon and gingerbread. And I can feel the brisk coolness in the air and cold snow, yes, snow. I can't believe it but it's snowing. As I make my way through the village my heart is filled with love, inspiration, hope and peace as I witness heartwarming scenes unravel before my eyes. A little boy sits high on his daddy's shoulders. In his hand he holds a letter written for the Jolly Ole Elf himself Santa. “Here you are son. Can you reach the handle?” “Yes, daddy.” “OK son pull the handle down then drop your letter in the opening.” I watch as he drops his letter of wants and wishes into the old-time mailbox. The daddy lets his son down gently to the ground then picks him up and hugs him lovingly. “Santa will get your letter soon.” “I know daddy.” The little boys smile glows like a ray of sunshine. “Mama look! Do you see?” I turn quickly to see a girl about the age of seven pointing to a crate that bares the words, 'Adopt A Kitten!' There's a man standing outside the Pet Shop holding a little gray kitty. “Yes, I see Katy. Would you like a little kitty for Christmas?” “Yes, mommy. Yes.” The mother and little girl stroll hand in hand over to the man. I hear him say to the little girl. “Would you like this one? She has your color eyes.” “Yes sir. She beautiful. “Then she's yours.” “What do I owe you?” I hear her mom say to the man. “Not a single dime mam. Merry Christmas.” “Oh, thank you, thank you sir Katy cries as she wraps her arms around the man's legs. The man leans down and carefully lays the kitty in her arms. “Merry Christmas sir," she kindly says as she holds her new friend close to her heart. As I continue through this magical scene, I'm filled with so many emotions I can't explain. The little shops lining the streets such as the John's Barber Shop, the Village Post Office, the Village Townhall, The Pet Shop, Noel's Christmas Shop, the Village Library, The Firehouse, the Village Hotel and many more are adorned with novelty Christmas decorations and glow with Christmas lights inside and out. The residents of this little community have all spruced up their homes. Everything sparkles with vibrant colors and metallic tinsel and ornaments of silver and gold. It's quite a festive sight to behold. Strolling the cobblestone street is an elderly couple arm in arm. “Oh George, aren't the lights beautiful? Look at the Mackenzie's place they put a Santa and Reindeer on their roof. Everyone is in such a festive mode this year. I just love our little village. It's been twenty-three years since we've been here, and it gets more beautiful every year.” “As do you, my love.” He sighs as he places a gentle kiss on her forehead. Continuing a few houses down I observe an elderly lady shoveling her sidewalk. Two older boys run up to her. “Mrs. Cunningham please stop shoveling. We'll do that for you. You go back in the house where it's nice and warm. We'll let you know when we're finished.” “Thank you, boys. That's very kind of you. When you're done come in for some hot chocolate and a piece of pie.” A mailman stands on the stoop that enters into the post office. He awaits delivery of cards and letters the villagers deposit for family, friends, and Santa. He waves to the Millers. “Merry Christmas George, Maggie!” “Merry Christmas Hank! Don't forget, seven o'clock is the lighting of the tree. Followed by Christmas dinner tonight at the Town Hall!” “I'll be there!” I follow a group of carolers as they promenade from house to house singing Christmas songs and hymns with such beautiful angelic voices. “O come all ye faithful joyful and triumphant O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem” Residents open their doors and join in the singing. Some offering cookies and hot drinks. Standing outside of Clair's Sweet Shop is a young woman statuette holding a tray filled with cookies and other baked goods. “Come one. Come all. Help yourself to a cookie, cupcake, Danish. There's plenty for everyone. And there's more inside. Please enjoy what you want.” To my left I hear laughter and yelling. I turn to see a group of children playing tag and throwing snowballs and building snow people. “I gotcha Billy! You're it!” “OK, you better run Skip!” “Bobby has a snowball, Mary! Duck.” Mary gets a snowball to the side. “Sally, I have some sticks for your snowman's arms.” “Thanks, Tommy” Their play continues as I continue on my journey. At the Barber Shop old man barber John is cutting one man's hair while two others are waiting. “ “Good afternoon, John.” “Afternoon Ralph.” “Is there time in your busy schedule to cut my hair?” “Yes, there is my good man. And your shave is on me. I'll just be a few more minutes. Have a slug of cocoa and a cookie or two while you wait.” Off in the distant I hear bells softly ringing. The beautiful sound is coming from the village's little white church. As I approach, I see a group of people huddled in front of a live Nativity scene. As I make my way closer, I hear singing in unison and the sighing of animals. “Away in a manger no crib for a bed. The little lord Jesus lay down his sweet head.” Tears well in my eyes as I find myself singing along while observing the beautiful live Nativity scene. In the center of the village stands a tall Douglas Fir waiting to be dressed for the holiday season. Its wait is soon over. Boys and girls young and old come from throughout the village carrying boxes brimming with all kinds of trimmings for the tree. A man brings a ladder and places it carefully against the trunk of the tree. He holds a star waiting to be positioned it at the top. Within minutes there's a group of villagers stringing lights. The branches seem to bend at will making it easier for them reach unreachable areas. So much spirited energy was unfolding as I watched and listened. “Larry, hand me that box of bulbs.” “Here you go Jim. These are some old bulbs Missy's grandmother had when she was alive.” “Those look just fine Larry. They'll bring some shimmer and shine to this tree.” “Mommy, look, I found the angel you made when you were in third grade.” “Hang it anywhere on the tree, honey.” “I need another set of lights over here!” “Here you go Homer. Let me help you with those.” “Nick head over to Noel's and see if Mr. Noel has anything for the tree this year. He always donates a box of decorations.” “OK dad.” “No need! No need my boy!” The voice of Mr. Noel echoes down the street. “I'll help you Mr. Noel.” “Thank you, son.” The actions and dialogue continue until the tree was finally finished. It was the simplest yet beautiful tree I've ever seen. There was something special and magical about this Christmas tree. I couldn't put my foot on it, but it was there. “Looks like the tree is ready. Can someone head over to the fire department and tell Ben to hit the siren.” I glance at a man about in his sixties, dressed quite professionally. Must be the village, Mayor. “I'll do it Rubin.” “OK Jack.” A few minutes later sirens are roaring all through the village. I watch as citizens dressed in their warm cloaks and finest over-coats gather around the village Christmas tree. Some children are pulled in sleds. Other folks are on skis. People greet one another. There are hugs, handshakes, and kisses. Smiles galore. Not a frown could be found. The Mayor stands behind a podium clicking his mic. “Attention! Attention! Could I please have your attention! Silence quickly overcomes the crowd. All eyes focus on the Mayor as he begins his speech. “Welcome everyone to our annual Christmas tree lighting and Christmas dinner put on by the best cooks in our village. I'm pleased you are all here to celebrate together this festive and joyous gala. I must commend you all. Our village has never looked so 'Christmassy'. If there is such a word.” He chuckles. “For all the little ones out there. Santa will be making an appearance. And I do believe he has toys for each and every one of you. So, now let's start the celebration. As is tradition, we will count back from ten to zero. Then Hank will push the button. You ready Hank?” “Never been more ready!” “Let the countdown begin. 10..9..8..7..6..5..4..3..2..1..0!” Hank pushed the button. The tree lit with its few little lights but shone like a million stars. The villagers stood in awe. There was a peace that came over everyone including me. I couldn't release my eyes from the tree. My heart was instantly filled with so much love. Suddenly an angel appeared glowing high above the tree. He softly whispers “Peace Be With You.” Then he fades away into the night. There's silence until a few people begin singing. “Oh, Christmas tree, O Christmas tree How lovely are thy branches O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree How lovely are thy branches Soon all the villagers are singing. I'm suddenly jolted awake by my one-hundred-pound lap dog Barney, knocking my mug of cocoa and sending it smashing to the floor spreading China bits throughout my den. As I pick up shards of ceramic off the floor near the fireplace, I glance up at the village scene. To my astonishment most of the figurines have been rearranged. And some of them are different. I don't know how, but they are different. The Santa, sleigh and reindeer are now on top of one of the houses. The man figurine holding the kitty is no longer. His arms are now opened wide. The little girl holding her mom's hand and pointing to the 'kittens for adoption' is now holding a kitten to her chest. The elderly figurines holding hands are still holding hands, but his lips are attached to her forehead. The mailman figurine still stands on the stoop of the post office but on the ground next to him are three bags full of cards and letters. The old lady holding the shovel is no longer holding it. She stands hands free, and the shovel is leaning against her house. The tree in the center of the village which only had lights is now embellished with every decoration imaginable. The man on the ladder no longer holds a star, the star is at the top of the tree. There were little white flakes of something (snow) on top of the buildings. The lady figurine holding a cookie tray stands at the edge of the fireplace mantel It looks as though she is staring right through me. For a quick second chills encompass my body. I look closely at the little figure with the tray and spot a cookie with the name 'Kristy'. That's me. But how? I don't understand. I carefully pick up the small porcelain figurine. As I do, the cookie, no bigger than a very small button, on the tray moves. I take a pair of tweezers and pluck the cookie from the tray. Bringing it to my face, I smell it. It smells like a fresh baked sugar cookie. But it can't be. Temptation gets the best of me, and I put the little cookie in my mouth. It tastes delightful, better than any I've ever eaten. I look at the figurine and she's smiling as she murmurs “Merry Christmas.” I'm not startled or shocked. Thinking I'm still sleeping and dreaming I place the statuette back in the village next to her bakery. As I turn to walk away, she calls my name, “Kristy.” “What?” I speak. Turning back around I pick her up and place her in the palm of my hand. “That was a magic cookie you just ate. You've been blessed with the ability to watch our beautiful village in action. You will always be able to see us carry on our daily lives. But you will not be able to interact with us unless one of the villagers 'will' you to appear. To others we are only ceramic and porcelain buildings and figurines. Nothing more. “We enjoyed your visit, Kristy. You thought you were invisible to us, but you weren't. We had to let you think you were. This experience had to be yours and yours alone. We could not intervene. We will invite you back. That you can count on. But for now, we all wish you a Very Merry Christmas!” And we will see you soon.” I placed her back by the bakery. “Bye.” I mumble softly. Claire was right. Throughout the Christmas season I captured the joy of watching this beautiful village come to life. One day I added a man holding a holiday newspaper to see what would happen. As soon as I added him to the mix, he was welcomed by the post man. “Thank you, Claire. I hope I'm invited back into your village soon.” I quietly whispered. “Merry Christmas”