“Well David” said his mother tartly “since I will only see you next to wake you up for Christmas lunch I may as well wish you now.”

‘’Ow Ma Christmas comes once a year and besides this may be the last time together. Joy and Anita are leaving for Calcutta and Ashok and Maya leave for Bombay.”
“That leaves only you and Sarah!” said his mother, “don’t you think she is too pretty and too rich to be a young doctor’s wife?”

David grinned. Plucking a sprig of ivy he held it over their heads and gave his mother a resounding kiss. “At the moment I have only one woman in my life.”

As soon as the midnight service was over David and Sarah escaped to his car cleverly evading the outstretched arms of his mother’s friends and loud cries to stay for cake and coffee. They were already late at the rendezvous to meet their friends and David promised to be there in 15 minutes.

There were no lights and the night was dark when a large yellow striped cat scampered across the road. “You darn cat” he yelled and then braked to a stop; standing in the middle of the road was a little girl clad in the thinnest of clothing, transfixed by the headlights of the car.

He and Sarah both jumped out. ‘What are you doing’ he demanded, ‘you could have
caused an accident.’
“I am looking for Thomas.’
‘Thomas your brother?’
“No he’s my cat”.
“You are looking for a cat in the middle of the night dressed like that? Where do you live?
The child pointed across the road to a spot where nothing was visible. David took off his coat, wrapped it around her and carried her, still objecting, to the spot she indicated. 

“I must find Thomas. Joey is crying for him because he is very cold and Thomas keeps him warm. Because we had no food for Thomas he said he would feed himself outside.”
The house was dark, only one light glimmered in a small room. ‘’Where is your daddy” asked Sarah.
“Gone to heaven to ask God for goodies for Christmas” said a small voice from the dark. It was a very small boy, presumably the child Joey since he was almost blue with cold. 

“No” said the girl, ‘I’m Tessa and I manage the house, he is Timmy.’ Sobs from the room told of another smaller inmate finally located as Joey.

Sarah took off her coat and wrapped it around the two little boys. There were no blankets to be seen. In the cupboard were two sheets. “Don’t take them” said Tessa in horror. ‘They are for Christmas.”
Sarah smiled at her, “Today is Christmas, love” she said. Timmy apparently used to keep two year old Joey warm by snuggling up to him under the sheet.

“Where’s your mother” asked David.
“She’s ill and she’s sleeping for three days so I’m looking after things. But we just finished the milk this morning. Fr. John brings us things, Joey had to eat first, then Timmy, then me. There was nothing for Thomas, poor chap.”
“I’m going to see your mother” said David.
“She’s asleep” said Tessa.
“She’s dead” said Timmy. Tessa screamed at him “She’s not, she’s not” and burst into tears.
While Sarah comforted her David found a tiny room next to the kitchen, big enough to hold only a bed and a chair. He saw a young woman on the bed, deathly still. He rang up to St. Johns and asked for the emergency ambulance to be sent right away. 

He went back to Sarah. “She’s in a very bad way,” he hesitated ‘look love, I hate to spoil your Christmas. You take the car and join the others. I’ll have to wait till the ambulance comes, besides something will have to be done” he said looking at the children.

Thomas the yellow cat had come by now and was cuddled up on the bed with the children.
“Give me the keys” said Sarah “I’m going scrounging for blankets, tell you what, ring the others and tell them to bring lots of eats, also plenty of milk and cereals. You’ve found a lovely picnic spot and we will party till breakfast.”

She dashed off and met Dr. and Mrs. James on their own doorstep, just returned from the community cake and coffee fest. They were alarmed when they saw her in David’s car but she soon allayed their fears telling them the whole tale.

She was generously supplied with blankets and food. The revellers were the first to arrive with both cars laden with food, party caps and balloons. 

“Hey man” called out Joe “Is this a joke? It isn’t Halloween its Christmas! There’s not a single light anywhere even in the road.” Sarah’s car came then at terrific speed but David shooed her to one side as the ambulance was heard.

David enlightened them all and Sarah and Anita rushed in to the children to make them really warm. With so many willing hands things worked swiftly. Soon Mary Lewis, Tessa’s mother was taken to the ambulance and given first aid. The children all sobbed their farewells, Joey and even Thomas howling the loudest – he had evidently learnt to do everything the children did. They were both comforted by Anita.

When old Fr. John laboured up in his ancient bicycle on his weekly visit the little house was cleaned. Potted plants covered many defects. Music blared and streamers and balloon filled the air. Inside an enormous Christmas tree towered, covered with lights and strewn with gifts. 

Thomas had begged to climb the tree but had to be sternly restrained. Fr. John was surprised to see young Dr. David on all fours giving a consolation ride to Thomas and Joey, both squealing with delight. With a heart filled thankfulness Fr. John left.

On the night of the 31st during the Thanksgiving service for the year, Fr. John stood up for his sermon.
“Two thousand years ago three wise men came to visit a baby born in a stable. Today six wise young people did the same to three babes. God bless all of them.”