Page 36 of A Baxter Family Christmas
“Okay.” Amy clung to Janessa near the back of the group of kids. Her eyes were wide, like she was scared or maybe because she simply didn’t know what to do next.
Ashley didn’t let the moment become awkward. She continued through the room introducing each of her siblings, their spouses, and their kids.
“There’s even more of us still coming,” Cole added when Ashley reached the end. “But don’t worry. We won’t test you later.”
Kendra laughed, and the sound seemed to give the others permission to relax. They’d gotten past the newness and strangeness of the situation. John hoped now they could enjoy the dinner celebration and focus on Christmas.
John felt Elaine come alongside him and put her arm around his waist.
She looked at the group. “Let’s move into the kitchen. I have hot tea on the stove.”
Katy and Dayne and their kids arrived a few minutes later and John held up his hand. “I just got a text from Luke. They’re still stuck in the snow on the interstate. He asked if we’d pray for them.”
John was sure everyone was struggling not to think about Erin and Sam’s accident, how they had been stopped on the highway when a semitruck crashed into them. John refused to think about it. Instead, he held out his hands and with practiced ease the family circled up.
Kendra and Moe drew back, giving the family their space. John motioned to them. “You can join us. You’re part of the family tonight.”
The two of them looked at each other, and Moe made the first move, stepping slowly into the circle. Kendra did the same, and they waited, clearly unsure about what was happening.
“Hey! This reminds me of the Grinch cartoon.” Devin whispered loud enough for most of them to hear.“Christmastime is in our grasp... so long as we have hands to clasp.”
The boy’s words held a wisdom that settled over the room. John led the prayer. “Lord, we ask you for a Christmas miracle tonight. That you would help Luke and Reagan and the kids find their way out of the snow. That they would feel Your presence right now, Father. Please rescue them, that they might be here where we are. And please keep them safe. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
John called the local highway patrol and asked about the safety of people stuck on the road. “All traffic is stopped,” an officer told him. “We’re doing our best to get to everyone, but the storm came up faster than we expected.”
The information left John feeling anxious. But thirty minutes later, when they were getting settled at the two long tables in the dining room, the doorbell rang again. John felt his heart jump. But then, from outside on the doorstep, muffled by the blizzard, he heard the sound of singing.
“We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas... and a happy New Year!”
By the time John rushed to the door, half his family had hurried in behind him. As he opened it, there was Luke, one arm around Reagan, the other around Malin. Tommy and Johnny stood on either side, and though the wind was blowing snow in their hair and onto their coats, they had never looked happier.
At the same instant, they switched up their song. Luke led the group. “We’ll be home for Christmas... you can count on us!”
John pulled his son into the house and hugged him for a long time. “You’re here!”
“It was the craziest thing.” Luke took off his coat and hung it up, and the rest of his family did the same. “We were stuck in a snowdrift so high... I thought it might be two days before we got out.”
“Definitely.” Reagan’s eyes showed the depth of her concern. “And then all the sudden this snowplow came from out of nowhere.”
“This man gets out and knocks on Dad’s window.” Tommy was clearly still so excited about what happened, his words ran together.
Luke nodded. “Exactly. He told me his name was Jag. Interesting name, right? Anyway, he said he would clear the way for me, and to just trust him.”
“You forgot the other part, Daddy.” Malin tugged on his shoulder. “About Jesus.”
“Right.” Luke shook his head. “That was the most amazing thing. First words he says when I opened the window were ‘Do you believe in Jesus?’ ”
“We said, ‘Yes, of course.’ ” Reagan locked eyes with Luke. “That’s when the man said he was going to clear the way.”
Luke went on to explain how the man plowed the shoulder so that Luke could get traction as he drove out of the snowbank. “After a few miles, the storm let up and the road ahead was clear.”
“But we never saw where the snowplow went.” Tommy looked at his cousins and then at Luke. “Right, Dad?”
“Right.” Luke shrugged. “Like one minute we were following him through the thickest snow I’ve ever seen. And the next thing we know he’s gone. Vanished.”
Chills ran down John’s arms. “When was that?”
Reagan checked the time on her phone. “Maybe thirty minutes ago.”
