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| A Christmas Story Image Geoffrey W. Sutton with AI |
What's the Christmas Story about?
Jesús Born Reports Lucas
César Augusto, who loved making announcements almost as much as he loved peppermint bark, declared that everyone must sign up for healthcare by December 24. The website immediately collapsed in a dramatic swoon, and people across the land rushed around trying to find Wi‑Fi strong enough to revive it.
José and MarÃa, expecting a baby any minute, didn’t have internet at home. So they bundled up, grabbed a blanket that smelled faintly of cinnamon, and trudged into town to borrow cousin David’s connection. David wasn’t there — his router blinked sadly, as if it too had given up — so they wandered to the Holly Day Inn.
Clark, the night clerk, looked like he’d been working since last Christmas. “Sorry, folks, we’re full,” he said, gesturing toward a lobby overflowing with travelers, carolers, and one man who insisted he was a reindeer.
José spotted a small office with a crooked sign that read MANAGER — ENTER IF YOU DARE. “Could we use that room?” he asked. Clark rubbed his eyes. “Honestly, at this point, destiny seems to be happening tonight. Go ahead.”
They stepped inside. The room contained a desk, a chair, and a mysterious box labeled LOST & FOUND: DO NOT QUESTION.
Suddenly MarÃa gasped. “José, I’m literally having a baby right now.” Clark grabbed the phone. “Hi, 911? Yes, it’s me again. No, not the gingerbread incident. A real emergency this time.”
And right there on the office floor, Jesús was born. MarÃa wrapped him in Holly Day Inn towels, which were surprisingly soft for a mid‑budget hotel.
They tweeted the news. Angela retweeted it with sparkles, emojis, and the hashtag #BabyInTheBreakRoom. Her friends asked where. She replied, “Manger’s place. Holly Day Inn. Near David’s house. Bring snacks.”
Within minutes, a flash mob arrived — dancers, singers, people livestreaming, and one enthusiastic toddler wearing wings made of cardboard. Gloria, a towering woman with unmistakably angelic energy, shouted “Peace on Earth!” while her husband Gabe added, “And free cookies for everyone!”
The story spread across the world. The wealthy Maji family decided to visit, though their journey involved three flight delays, one camel‑related misunderstanding, and a security agent who asked, “Is myrrh a liquid?”
They finally arrived with gold cards, fancy lotions, and a coupon for free streaming services. They admired the baby, took photos, and whispered, “This kid has star quality.”
That night, they received a mysterious message — something about taking a different route home — so they left early, navigating by starlight and a questionable GPS signal.
Meanwhile, MarÃa and José realized they needed to move somewhere safe and quiet. They didn’t want to risk being separated from their newborn miracle, so they slipped away gently into the night, carrying Jesús and the Holly Day Inn towels that had become part of the legend.
And so the story of the little family who found warmth in a cluttered office traveled far and wide, reminding everyone that joy can appear anywhere — even in a manager’s room filled with broken office supplies and a box labeled DO NOT QUESTION.
Merry Christmas!
Geoff W. Sutton
Post Author
Geoffrey W. Sutton, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Evangel University, holds a master’s degree in counseling and a PhD in psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His postdoctoral work encompassed education and supervision in forensic and neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. As a licensed psychologist, he conducted clinical and neuropsychological evaluations and provided psychotherapy for patients in various settings, including schools, hospitals, and private offices. During his tenure as a professor, Dr. Sutton taught courses on psychotherapy, assessment, and research. He has authored over one hundred publications, including books, book chapters, and articles in peer-reviewed psychology journals.
His website is https://suttong.com
Many publications are free to download at ResearchGate and Academia
Find chapters and essays on Substack. [ @GeoffreyWSutton ]
For another informative yet humours Christmas Story, see Sophie O'Reardon's 12 Days of Christmas.
Post Revised 26 July 2026
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