Faithful Through the Year: December Edition

Here's the December edition of Faithful Through the Year: A Maple Lane Mystery, filled with cozy small-town cheer, gentle humor, and a quiet rediscovery of Christmas hope.

Faithful Through the Year: December Edition

Title: Operation Christmas Spirit
Theme: Rediscovering Wonder, Letting Go of Perfection, and the Gift of Presence
Scripture Focus:
Luke 2:10 – “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”

Story: Operation Christmas Spirit

Maple Lane had two Christmas traditions that never changed.

One: Millie’s peppermint tea was served every December afternoon on her front porch (rain, snow, or shine).
Two: Eugene Barker always won the Christmas decorating contest.

Always.

His house had moving reindeer, blinking roof lights, a homemade Santa sleigh rigged to his riding mower, and—most famously—a giant inflatable nativity that rotated slowly on his front lawn like a snow globe on parade.

But this December, something was off.

His windows were dark. His porch bare.

And the inflatable nativity? Still in its box.

Aimee Little was the first to notice. She’d stopped by to drop off a digital flyer for the Maple Lane Holiday Bake-Off (complete with snowflake gifs and a glittering border).

“Eugene?” she called out as she knocked.

He opened the door halfway. Still in his bathrobe. “I’m not doing lights this year.”

Aimee blinked. “Are you okay?”

He sighed. “I just… don’t feel it this year. It’s all too much. Too many wires, too many timers, too many expectations. Christmas used to feel magical. Now it feels like a checklist.”

She understood more than he realized.

The next day, Eugene found a small envelope on his front step. Inside: a candy cane, a hot cocoa packet, and a typed note.

Welcome to Operation Christmas Spirit.
Your mission: find joy in one small thing today. No ladders required.

Each day that week, something new arrived:

  • A snow globe with a sleepy-looking nativity scene.

  • A string of fairy lights shaped like teacups (Millie’s contribution).

  • A handwritten joke from Sheriff Grady: Why did Mary and Joseph travel by donkey? Because Uber hadn’t been invented yet.

The final package was left by Aimee herself—an old wooden ornament painted when Eugene was twelve, rescued from a dusty box in the church attic.

“I think God still sees you as that kid who painted this,” she said softly. “You don’t have to prove Christmas. Just receive it.”

Eugene didn’t put up the inflatable that year.

But he did string one soft garland across his porch.

And when Christmas Eve came, he hosted a last-minute cocoa night for the neighborhood. Clara read from Luke 2. Millie passed around cinnamon scones. Someone started singing “Silent Night.”

Eugene didn’t win the contest.

But his porch was full of light.

Reflection Prompts:

  1. Have you ever felt pressure to perform joy instead of simply receiving it?

  2. What is one simple tradition or moment that helps you reconnect with the heart of Christmas?

  3. Who in your life might need a quiet reminder that they are seen, even without all the sparkle?

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