Joe and Hope searched the sky for signs of the sleigh.

“Shouldn’t they be back by now?” Hope said. “They’ve been gone a long time.”

“I don’t know,” Joe said. “Maybe it’s just taking longer than he thought it would.”

The sound of sleigh bells drifted over the hill. “Sound like them now,” Joe said. “Jeez, why are they making so much noise?”

Joe and Hope turned to look behind them but saw nothing. There was a shift in the direction of the sound, and it came from near the cave.

Turning back, Joe and Hope peered over the ridge and were stunned by the sight. Exspes stood next to the sleigh. Joe’s grandfather, Spero, and the two elves looked like they were asleep.

With a wave of his hand, Exspes sent the sleigh into the cave.  Looking out through the swirling snow, he smiled.

“You’re wasting time, Joe. No one is going to help you. Bring me the star or you two will never see your grandfathers or friends ever again.” He turned away and walked inside.

“Now what?” Joe said, sliding down to the bottom of the ridge. “I have no idea how what to do now. We can’t give him the star.”

“Wait, what’s that?” Hope said.

“Where?” Joe said.

“There in the snow, to the side of the cave.”

Joe wiped the snow from his eyes and tried to make out what Hope pointed at, then he knew what it was.

“It’s my backpack!” Joe said. “My grandfather must have realized what was happening and pretended to be asleep. He dropped it when Exspes wasn’t looking. Stay here, I’ll be right back.”

Joe disappeared into the snow and was back in a flash.

“Now what?” Hope said.

“Now we teach Exspes a lesson on the importance of possibilities.”

“And how do we do that?” Hope said.

“Can you hide the star?” Joe said.

“Hide it?” Hope said, confusion on her face. “Yeah, I can hide it, but only for a short time. Why?”

“Just trust me on this,” Joe said. “How long will it last?”

“I don’t know, ten, maybe twenty minutes.”

“Okay, that should be enough. When I say so, hide it, okay?”

Hope nodded, unsure where this was going.

“Follow me,” Joe said, and headed toward the cave. Not waiting for her to react.

“Where are you going?” Hope ran to catch up. “He’ll see us.”

“Exactly…”

*****

Making their way inside the cave, they moved as slowly and as quietly as possible.

“No need for stealth, Joe. I know you’re here. And I know you’re not alone.”

Joe looked at Hope, shrugged, then slung the backpack over his shoulder. Leaning over to Hope, he whispered, “Hide the star.”

Hope nodded, turned back toward the entrance, and mouthed a few words. The star blinked then faded from the sky.

Walking into the light of the fire, Joe saw his grandfather and the others sitting in the sleigh, awake but unable to move.

“Joe, what are you doing?” his grandfather said. “Run, leave us!”

“Not in me to do that, grandfather. Besides, I have what Exspes here wants.”

At Joe’s words, Exspes moved to stand in front of Joe.

“You have the star?” he said.

Joe shrugged the shoulder holding the backpack, “In here.”

“Give it to me!’ Exspes said.

“Not until you let everyone go.” Joe said, taking a step back.

“I said give it to me,” Exspes snarled. “You’re in no position to bargain.”

“Oh, but I am, you see,” Joe said. “I took the star and managed to contain it in here. Go, look for yourself. The star is no longer in the sky.”

Exspes hesitated a moment, then went outside. He was back in a flash. “Well, well, the little wizard lived up to his family’s reputation. Give it here,” Exspes stuck out his hand, “now!”

“Not until everybody else is free,” Joe said. “Keep in mind, I put it here and I can put it back.”

Indecision was written all over Exspes’s face. Glancing between the sleigh and Joe he seemed unable to decide. “How do I know you’re not lying?”

“You don’t,” Joe said. “But the star is no longer in the sky and here I am with Hope and this backpack.”

“Fine,” Exspes said, and the sleigh moved back outside.

Hope whispered into Joe’s ear. “Ah, you better hurry, I don’t know how much longer it will stay hidden.”

Joe nodded and smiled. “Are you sure you really want the star and to destroy Christmas?”

“More than ever, there is nothing but lies in the promise of possibilities,” Exspes said. “I’m doing the world a favor.”

“Okay,” Joe said, sliding the backpack off his shoulder and holding it out.

“Joe, what are you doing?” Hope said.

“Trust me on this.”

Exspes grabbed the backpack and moved away. He undid the straps and pulled open the cover.

“It’s empty! You lied,” he said. “You’ll pay for this,”

“And yet a moment ago,” Joe said, “you believed the star was inside there. You believed in the possibility, didn’t you?”

“I didn’t…I… I…ah,” and Exspes went silent.

 Joe walked over to stand next to Exspes. “Just because some possibilities never happen, doesn’t mean they all are impossible. That’s what you’ve forgotten. Christmas isn’t about everyone getting all their wishes. It’s about enjoying the ones that do come true and being part of making possibilities for others that come true.

“You’ve always had the possibility of believing that within you. And by opening the backpack you’ve brought it back.”

“I’m sorry,” Exspes said, handing the backpack to Joe.

“No need to apologize for the past, as long as you learn from it, remember to embrace the present, and believe in the possibilities of the future.”

“I will,” Exspes said.

And right at the moment, the star reappeared in the sky, lighting up the outside world.

Climbing back aboard the sleigh, they headed off. First stop was taking Hope and her grandfather home. Then they flew back to Joe’s home.

“Until next time, boys,” Joe’s grandfather said, waving as the sled rocketed into the sky.

“Okay, pal,” Joe’s grandfather said. “Good job, I knew you were ready. See you next time.”

“What do you mean?” Joe said. “Aren’t you coming with me? It is Christmas Eve.”

“Oh, I’ll be there. I’ll always be there in your heart. I’ve got some plans with your grandmother. We’ll talk again soon.”

Joe watched as his grandfather walked away, fading into the night.  Joe glanced at the star, now a bit brighter than before. The door to his house opened and his mother came out.

“What are you doing out here, Joe? It’s freezing,” his mother said, looking around. “Who were you talking to?”

“Just grandfather, talking about grandmother, and all the Christmas stories they’ve shared.”

“Look, Joe,” his mother said, putting her arms around him. “We all miss them, we do. And it’s good that you keep their memory alive in your heart, but you know they are no longer with us, right?”

Joe just smiled.

“Now come on inside,” his mom said, taking his hand, “and I’ll make hot chocolate.”

As they made their way to the door, the star seemed to grow brighter.

“Is that the star you told me about?” his mother asked, stopping to gaze at the light.

“Yup, that’s the one.”

Joe’s mother smiled, looking at the sky. “I wonder how he knew?” she said softly.

“Who?” Joe said.

“Your grandfather… Ah, never mind, it was just story he once told me.”

Joe smiled and nodded, then tilted his head to look past his mother. His grandfather appeared again, smiling and laughing. He could hear the old man’s words in his heart, as he always did.

“It doesn’t matter who believes you, Joe, as long as you believe. You and I both know the story is true. The gift from the Christmas star will be with you all your life. And someday, when you have your own grandkids, you can tell them all about it.

“There is no better gift than believing in possibilities.”

The End!

And with another year gone by and another Christmas upon us, I wish you all the merriest of holiday celebrations. Always remember, anything is possible if you believe! Merry Christmas!

Joe Broadmeadow
December/2025

Click the play button below for a memory of Christmases past and all the possibilities ahead.

Go ahead and dance like nobody’s watching—or like everyone is staring, judging, and secretly wishing they had your moves!

Spero, Joe’s grandfather, and Joe climbed down from the sleigh.

“Take the sleigh and go hide,” Spero said to Levi David. “We don’t want to alert them to our being here. If we need you, I will call for you.”

“Where are we?” Joe asked, rubbing his hands together to warm them. An icy breeze sent chills right to his bones.

“This is the real nowhere land. It is a long way from everywhere else.” Spero said. “And this is where you begin.”

“Me?” Joe said. “I’m a bit confused. First, you guys pull this trick on me, making me think everyone’s forgotten me, then you tell me I have some special mission for Santa. Could someone, anyone, tell me why?” He folded his arms across his chest and waited.

“He is just like you, isn’t he?” Spero said.

“I told you he was, stubborn as all get out,” Joe’s grandfather said.

“Ah, I’m right here listening, you know.” Joe said.

Spero put his hands up. “Okay, you’re right. We owe you an explanation.”

*****

When the story was over. Joe stood in silence. Spero and Joe’s grandfather waited for it to sink in.

“So, I’m a, a what an elf? A kid? A freak? What?”

“What you are, Joe, is special.  Always remember it is not our differences that matter, we have a common purpose in living our lives. We are all just beings in the universe. You and I and a long line of people like us who were around for eons are here to protect the Spirit of Christmas from those who would take it from this world.

“Hard as it may be to believe, not everyone appreciates the true spirt. There are those who would want it gone from this world. Christmas reminds us of all the possibilities in life.

“It’s not the gifts themselves that are magic, it’s the wonder, joy, and imagination they bring. The act of giving, for no other reason than to see someone smile, is the most important proof of our humanity. But for that to happen, we must believe in the possibilities.”

Joe looked at his grandfather, then at Spero. “And I have to find this nowhere person and convince him of this?”

Spero and Joe’s grandfather nodded.

“Okay, I think we can handle this,” Joe said. “Let’s go.” He started to walk away, then stopped.

“You guys coming, or what?”

Spero nodded at Joe’s grandfather.

“Joe,” his grandfather said, dropping down on one knee and putting his hands on Joe’s shoulders. “You must do this alone. Whoever did this, this nowhere man, won’t appear to people like us. He’s certain, as people grow older, they forget to believe in magic. In many ways, he’s right. We could never get close enough.

“But he will not fear a child. He doesn’t think children really believe in these things. The saddest part is, he is also right about that. This world is changing. Kids spend less time using their imaginations. They are losing the ability to believe in possibilities.

“You have to get that back for them.”

Joe thought for a long moment. He always knew there was something different about himself. Some teachers would be annoyed at his not paying attention when he would be staring out the window imagining flying dragons, wizards, and trolls.

Even the ones that encouraged him had to reel in his imagination.

But he didn’t just imagine them, he saw them as if they were real. He often lived through these adventures and spoke to these creatures. The teachers would tell him how much they enjoyed the stories he would tell, but they never understood how real they were to him. Now it seems they were real.

In some ways, he knew this day would come.

“Okay,” Joe said, “a solo quest it is. Can you at least point me in the right direction?”

Joe’s grandfather struggled back to his feet, smiled at Joe, then pointed toward a bright star. “Follow that, young master, until you find what you seek.”

“What you seek? Young master?” Joe said. “You trying to sound like an adventure book character?”

“Is it working?” Joe’s grandfather said.

“Not at all,” Joe said.

Joe’s grandfather shrugged. “Ah well, okay. Go that way, I’m not sure the star will be any help.”

“Thanks,” Joe said, then walked over the ridge disappearing into the swirling snow.

“He will be okay, right?” Joe’s grandfather said.

Spero looked at the old man. “He will do as you and the others have done over the years. He will find a way. But we both know, it will not be easy.”

Tomorrow: A Being without Imagination

Joe and his grandfather stood next to the sleigh while Levi David and Wyatt James made some adjustments to things.

“Where are we going?” Joe asked.

“Well, I was hoping you had an idea on that subject,” his grandfather said.

“Me? How would I know…wait maybe I do.” Joe climbed onboard the sleigh and spoke to Levi David.

“You sure?” Levi David asked.

Joe nodded. “Almost certain.”

“Almost?” Levi David said,

Joe shrugged, then climbed back down to talk to his grandfather.

“What was that all about?”

“I told him where we needed to go first,” Joe said.

“And that is?” his grandfather asked.

“Nowhere,” Joe answered, a bit of a smirk on his face.

“Nowhere?” his grandfather said. “And where might that be?”

“Think about it. Where is the only place in the world where possibilities don’t exist?”

“I would say nowhere,” his grandfather said. “Possibilities are everywhere. But nowhere is not a real place.”

“Ah, but consider this, remember when we read the Sherlock Holmes books? What did Sherlock say about the improbable?”

His grandfather smiled. “Once you have eliminated the impossible, what remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.”

“And what do we have? Someone took Santa’s ability to give the gift of possibilities. Possibilities exist everywhere. Yet Santa’s power to give the gift of possibilities is still missing. Therefore, there must be a place called Nowhere and that is where we will find whoever did this.”

His grandfather thought for a moment. “Here, let me have your cell phone.”

Joe handed it to him. “When you gonna break down and get your own phone?”

“I’m breaking down more each day. Why would I need to get one when I can just use everybody else’s?”

“What if I want to call you?” Joe asked.

“Nobody calls anymore. All they do is text and snipcheat.”

“Snapchat,” Joe corrected.

“Whatever, here,” he said, handing the phone back, “read this.”

“What is it?”

“Well, in keeping with the Sherlock Holmes theme, it may be a clue.”

Joe looked at the phone, scrolling through the webpage.

He’s a real nowhere man
Sitting in his nowhere land
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody

He’s as blind as he can be
Just sees what he wants to see
Nowhere man, can you see me at all?

“What’s this?”

“A song by the Beatles,” his grandfather said. “I always knew they were inspired by some deep magic but never suspected just how powerful. They wrote this decades ago, must have seen the future.”

“What does it mean?” Joe asked.

“It means, my boy, you are right. There is a nowhere land.”

“Ready,” Levi David said.

“You know how to get to nowhere?” Joe asked.

Wyatt James chuckled. “Nowhere is a piece of cake compared to some of the places we have to fly to deliver presents.”

Joe and his grandfather climbed aboard.

“So how do you fly there?” Joe asked.

“We don’t,” Levi said. “Did you ever just go for a walk and just let your feet take your wherever they wanted to go?”

“Sure,” Joe said. “Sometimes you just want to be alone for a bit.”

“Well, that’s what we’re going to do,” Levi David said. “Reindeer love to wander. Given the choice, they’d wander their whole life. We,” and he waited for Wyatt to drop the reins,” are just gonna let them wander to, wait for it, nowhere. Hit it, girls.”

And as the sound of Levi’s voice faded, the reindeer took off.

Joe leaned over to his grandfather. “Did he just say girls?”

“Joe” his grandfather nodded. “They are all girls.”

“But I thought…”

“Yup, you and most of the world have been misinformed. All reindeer have antlers, the boys lose their antlers in the fall, the girls do not. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen. And, of course, Rudolph.

“I know, Rudolph sounds like a boy’s name. But what’s in a name?”

“I never knew,” Joe said.

“Here’s a good trivia tidbit. Donner was originally Donder, got a bit mis-translated.”

“You are just full of this stuff, aren’t you?” Joe said.

“Oh,” Levi David interrupted, “he’s full of it alright. We’ve known that for years.”

“Me too,” Joe said, laughing.

“Hey, I’m very sensitive you know,” his grandfather said.

“Yeah, sensitive. That’s exactly what I think whenever I think of you,” Joe chuckled, then settled in to watch the stars overhead.

Tomorrow: The Nowhere Man