Peter and Lotta's Christmas

Snow had fallen softly over the little town. Peter and Lotta lived with Aunt Green, Aunt Brown, Aunt Lavender, and dear Uncle Blue. It was almost Christmas, and the whole house was busy and bright.

“Christmas is coming!” said Peter.

“We must help,” said Lotta.

On a dark morning, Aunt Lavender smiled and set a white wreath on Lotta’s head. Tiny candles twinkled. “You may be our Saint Lucia,” she said. Lotta walked slowly, like a glowing angel, carrying warm saffron buns. Peter followed with a tray of cups. One cup rattled and splashed, but no one minded. The aunts clapped and laughed, and Uncle Blue bowed grandly. “Wonderful!” he said. “Now Christmas truly begins.”

There was so much to do. Aunt Brown mixed spices and rolled gingerbread. Peter cut out stars, hearts, and little goats. Lotta pressed raisins into a plump gingerbread pig. The kitchen smelled sweet and cozy.

Aunt Green and the children went to the garden to find fir branches. Their noses turned pink in the cold. “These will look lovely on the stairs,” she said. Aunt Lavender brought out bright ribbons and paper. Together they made paper chains and a shiny star for the top of the tree.

“Today we dip candles,” said Aunt Brown. She showed them how to lower wicks into warm wax and lift them out again. “Dip, count, and wait,” she taught. Peter and Lotta dipped and counted and waited, and soon there were smooth white candles, neat and proud.

At the market, Uncle Blue took their hands. Stalls were filled with red apples, nuts, and straw goats with horns. A real goat blinked at them from a pen. Peter stared. “Is that the Christmas Goat?” he whispered.

“Perhaps,” said Uncle Blue with a twinkle. “On Christmas Eve, the Christmas Goat brings presents. But only to good and helpful children.”

Peter and Lotta nodded very seriously. They wanted to be good and helpful. All that week they worked hard. Peter carried wood for the stove. Lotta dusted the chairs. They also made secret gifts. Peter glued a little box for Uncle Blue and painted it blue. Lotta stitched lavender into a tiny pillow for Aunt Lavender. For Aunt Green they pressed a red leaf between paper and made a picture. For Aunt Brown they tied a bundle of cinnamon with a bow.

One afternoon they saw a neighbor’s window with no candles glowing. The house looked lonely. Lotta tugged Peter’s sleeve. “Let’s share,” she said. They filled a small basket with a few apples, some gingerbread, and a candle they had dipped themselves. They set the basket by the door, rang the bell, and ran away giggling, like two little Christmas elves.

At last Christmas Eve arrived. Uncle Blue brought in the tree, snowy and green. Peter held it straight. Lotta handed up the paper chains, the shiny star, and the gingerbread hearts on strings. Aunt Lavender lit the new candles. The room sparkled. Everyone joined hands and danced around the tree, singing a bright song.

Suddenly there was a loud knock. Thump, thump! Peter and Lotta froze. The door opened, and in stepped someone tall and shaggy, with horns and a big sack.

“Good evening!” came a deep, funny voice. “Are there any good children here?”

Peter squeezed Lotta’s hand. “Y-yes,” they said together.

The Christmas Goat chuckled and opened the sack. Out came wonders! A sled for Peter, shiny and red. A doll for Lotta, with a soft wool dress. Ribbons and new mittens for the aunts. A blue scarf tumbled out too, and for a moment the goat looked surprised. A blue glove slipped to the floor. Uncle Blue coughed in the corner.

“Thank you, Christmas Goat!” cried Peter and Lotta. They were not afraid anymore. They were happy all the way to their toes.

When the goat had gone, Peter picked up the glove. “This looks like—” he began.

Uncle Blue smiled and tucked the glove into his pocket. “What a helpful goat,” he said. Peter and Lotta looked at each other and smiled back. They could keep a Christmas secret.

They ate warm rice porridge and shared oranges and nuts. Then they gave their own small gifts. Aunt Green pressed the leaf picture to her heart. Aunt Lavender hugged the little lavender pillow and laughed at the sweet scent. Aunt Brown tied the cinnamon with a ribbon and said, “Now the kitchen will smell like Christmas forever!” Uncle Blue opened his blue box and said, “A treasure box for my treasures!” He put the slipped glove inside and winked.

Snow fell softly outside. Candles glowed. Peter and Lotta curled up sleepily, thinking of the shiny tree, the kind Christmas Goat, and the joy of giving. “Christmas is helping,” whispered Lotta.

“And sharing,” said Peter.

They drifted off with happy hearts, while the little house shone like a star in the winter night.