“So, what’s for dinner?” I asked.

“The pizza and wings should be here in about 20 minutes,” said Aiden, sifting through a paper bag. “I also made sure to swipe the eggnog from my dad’s cabinet.”

“I think I’ll pass on the nog, thank you.”

“Suit yourself,” Aiden poured a cup and took a sip. “While we wait, help yourself to some poutine.”

“What’s that?” I felt my eyebrow furrow in distaste.

“French fries mixed with cheese curds and gravy.” Aiden is from Canada originally and wanted to share his national dish with his American friends.

“Hmm, interesting…” Yes, it was certainly a holiday of many firsts.

Standing by the sliding glass door, I saw a glow through the blinds. I opened the door and saw Lucky Shotz and Eugene Rogers standing outside, huddled around a fire pit.

Theresa was out there too, and she was telling Lucky about her holiday plans.

“I’m going to my mom’s house for Christmas Eve and my dad’s for Christmas Day.” Theresa’s parents are divorced but at least she gets two Christmases.

“Great,” Eugene playfully threw up his hands. “Now I get to be stuck inside with you all day,” Theresa’s dad married Eugene’s mom, making them stepsiblings.

“You know you’d be lonely without me,” Theresa teased back.

Lucky interjected: “Want to trade?” He wasn’t as thrilled to be stuck with his two older brothers, waiting for his turn to play their newest video game.

I don’t have any siblings, at least not with me. I had a little sister, but she died way too young. This time of the year is just another reminder to my parents and me that she and I shared December birthdays and the depression around her being gone.

As the other teammates laughed and carried on in the kitchen or around the fire, I couldn’t help feeling out of place. I wasn’t enjoying myself. Not wanting to bum anyone out, I contemplated going back home. I made it to the driveway when I saw Lindsay in the front yard standing in front of a Nativity scene. She was reading something from her phone, and I could barely make out her voice from my car.

“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’” [1]

“Hey-” I stepped toward Lindsay, unintentionally startling her.

“Oh,” Lindsay gasped. “Hello, Spencer. Merry Christmas.”

“You too,” I said. “What are you doing out here?”

“I’m just practicing for my reading.” Lindsay is a devout Christian, so this time of year has deep spiritual meaning to her. I am agnostic so I wouldn’t know about any of that. “It’s just so peaceful out here, you know?”

“Yeah, I guess it is,” I replied, morose.

“Is everything okay?” she asked, slightly concerned. Feeling a little more at ease, I decided to open up.

“Lindsay—” I paused to think for a bit before asking: “Is there anything special you want for Christmas this year?” Lindsay is the closest I have to a friend on the tennis team. I didn’t have much but I wanted to thank her in some way.

“Mmm,” she thought about it. “Not really.”

“Oh.” I felt a little disappointed until I felt something snapping my wrist. I looked down to see a red and green bow wrapped around my hand.

“You being here is present enough for me,” Lindsay smiled.

“Were you carrying that around, waiting until I asked you that?”

Lindsay giggled. I couldn’t help smiling too. I felt a light shining on me like a star or an oncoming pizza delivery car. “Looks like the food is here.”

“Oh goodie, let’s go inside,” Lindsay clapped her hands together.

I helped carry the pizza and wings inside while the rest of the teammates rejoiced from the living room. They rushed to the kitchen, fixed their plates and found a seat in the dining room.

“Lindsay, would you like to say the blessing?” Brittany requested. Right on cue, Lindsay bowed her head and folded her hands as the rest of the team followed suit.

“Jesus, the Light of the World, as we celebrate your birth, may we begin to see the world in the light of understanding you give us. As you chose the lowly, the outcasts, and the poor to receive the greatest news the world had ever known, so may we worship you in meekness of heart. May we also remember our brothers and sisters less fortunate than ourselves in this season of giving. Amen.” [2]

As we enjoyed our unorthodox Christmas feast, the party certainly livened up. We talked late into the night about our Christmas traditions and what we planned to do with our two weeks off from school. Nobody even mentioned anything about presents because no matter what happens on December 25th, we’ll always have this night to remember. As it turned out, Brittany was right; it truly was the best Christmas party ever.