A Christmas Miracle

A family’s first Christmas in a new land

Photo by Spiroview Inc.

Some years ago, a Trinidadian family I knew named the Ramjits moved to the bustling city of Toronto.

Mr. and Mrs. Ramjit had accepted important job offers, which prompted their move. Mrs. Ramjit was an oncology nurse and nurse educator, while Mr. Ramjit was a software engineer and a skilled cloud architect. Their new jobs were terrific opportunities, they told their families in Trinidad, a way to gain even more experience and expand their world. But their hearts longed for the warm beaches and familiar faces of their island despite convincing their families otherwise.

The Ramjits rented a house in the North York area of Toronto and, as the Christmas holiday approached, were determined to make it memorable for their children despite the new surroundings. They adorned their home with twinkling lights, vibrant ornaments, and a tall, fragrant pine tree in the living room. Christmas carols filled the air, echoing through every room, as Mrs. Ramjit prepared an elaborate feast. The aroma of spicy curries, roti, and delicious pastries wafted through the house, tempting even the most disciplined taste buds.

Christmas Eve day arrived, and friends joined the Ramjits, all fellow immigrants from various corners of the world. The rooms were loud and joyful initially but grew quieter as night fell with guests looking out windows in disbelief. They saw a strange sight—light beams piercing the air, illuminating the frosty night sky.

“Is it a Christmas miracle?” A guest asked in wonder.

The extraordinary spectacle unfolding before their eyes captivated the Ramjits, too. They and their guests stepped out into the cold, icy grass crunching underfoot, their breath visible in the frigid air, and gazed at the celestial light show. The lights danced across the heavens, casting a mesmerizing glow as if the stars were celebrating the joyous occasion.

The children pointed to the sky, thinking they were seeing something magical. Their parents smiled, caught up in the moment's enchantment. As the light show reached its crescendo, a voice shattered the illusion. It was the Ramjit family’s neighbor, Mr. Taylor, standing in his front yard, holding a laser projector. His face was a mix of amusement and embarrassment.

“I apologize.” Mr. Taylor chuckled, shaking his head. “I was just testing out my new laser lights.”

A sigh of disappointment rippled through the crowd, and laughter soon followed. The Ramjits laughed along as their friends joked about their “Christmas miracle.”

Returning indoors, they resumed their festivities, the spirit of Christmas restored. They danced to the infectious rhythms of soca music, their laughter mingling with the lyrics. The smell of baked pastries lingered in the air, and the taste of homemade sorrel punch created a sense of unity and belonging.

As the night ended, the Ramjits and their friends exchanged warm hugs, promising to create many more memories in their adopted land.

Author’s Note

• I think there was a Christmas miracle, don’t you? My take is that it was the genuine connection that united these disparate people.

• Merry Christmas to those who celebrate!

• You’ll see two more posts from me before my New Year post in which I’ll announce some changes.

I created a video (with the help of Canva) to introduce this flash fiction Christmas piece on Instagram and other social media.

Credits for photos used in the video go to Brooke Lark on Unsplash, cherezoff and Spiroview Inc.

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