Henry's Christmas

By John Elton Pletcher

Squash "bah humbug!"
Discover your most joyous Christmas ever!

An adventuresome Christmas tale—destined to carry you beyond the daily work stressors, relational turmoil, financial fears, and family feuds so typical during this season. Take a marvelous journey with Zach, Maggie, and old Henry. Encounter your own joy-filled transformation this Advent!

• Language: English
• Publisher: CrossLink Publishing
• Release date: Nov 14, 2016
• ISBN: 9781540197917

John Elton Pletcher

John Elton Pletcher (DMin, Denver Seminary, MDiv, Clarks Summit University) is a storyteller, dad to three sons, missional theologian, lead pastor, adjunct professor, coffee lover, and leadership coach. John’s previous books include Henry’s Glory and EmotiConversations.

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Henry’s Christmas

Henry’s Christmas

A Story for Discovering God’s

Joyous Work at Advent

JOHN ELTON PLETCHER

Henry’s Christmas: A Story for Discovering God’s Joyous Work at Advent

CrossLink Publishing

www.crosslinkpublishing.com

Copyright, © 2016 John Elton Pletcher

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Early Reflections

"As an architect feeling the same kind of pressures, market cycles with uncertainties, and similar relational challenges, I was drawn into reconsideration about being more intentional in this coming Advent season. This story relates a realistic journey of the work-a-day life. When challenging people break into our story, especially in a season calling us to charity and grace, one can encounter the need for Advent in a fresh way. In the midst of this busy season, Henry’s Christmas unlocks new perspectives and possibilities, providing mystery, intrigue, and new considerations for mission. And most of all, Christ is in the middle of it all!

Inspirationally written, this engaging story urges personal assessment of one’s own faith-in-the-marketplace opportunities and a challenge to reach beyond. And in the end, it will leave you wanting for more!"

—Dale R. Yoder

AIA, President, Cornerstone Design Architects

"Henry’s back, and this time he takes us on a Christmas road trip that shows just how human the characters in the Christmas story really were—and how much we resemble them. Henry’s Christmas will help you and your family explore the Christmas joy that grows from embracing the wonders of God’s work in the lives of real people who were open to receiving and serving him."

—Dr. James R. Lytle

President, Clarks Summit University

"Henry’s Christmas tells of a remarkable truck—er, trek—using ‘story’ to move us from pre-grumpy Christmas blues to a place where faith and Christmas feel innocent, fresh, and exciting again. Weaving delightfully realistic 21st century characters into an intimate exploration of the delightfully realistic 1st century people involved in Jesus’ birth, the author creates a tapestry that not only entertains us but also models creative ways to carry Jesus from past to present until He is once again a visible part of our everyday journeys."

—Randy Kilgore

Writer for Our Daily Bread and author of Made to Matter: Devotions for Working Christians

"Henry’s Christmas captures all the favorite sights and sounds of the Christmas season while encouraging deeper exploration of courage, kingdom anticipation, joy, and generosity. John Pletcher writes in a very simple story format that is layered with complex concepts, motivating toward meaningful action. This book will challenge you to evaluate your own response to the Advent season and will inspire you to utilize your God-given gifts for kingdom impact in the local community and around the world."

—Jen Beachy

Program Manager, Joni and Friends Eastern PA

"The bookcases of most leaders are full of books on faith, work, and charity. But few of these books are as fun to read as Henry’s Christmas. In this festive tale, John Pletcher explores life’s most important questions—and our deepest longings—through the lens of a story. This spirited book is a fresh and engaging guide to the Advent season."

—Chris Horst

Vice President of Development, HOPE International, author of Mission Drift, and founder of dadcraft

Dedication

Dedicated with deepest honor and fondest memories to my grandparents, Janet and Everett Hall. At a very early age, I learned that Christmastime could be full of wonder, anticipation, and all-out joy. As I was growing up, my grandparents indulged our family in delightful décor, scrumptious baking, and oh-so-generous, often surprising, gifts. Though many other family members and friends have contributed to my love for Christmas, Grandma and Grandpa Hall indelibly etched a passion for the season on my soul. I am confident that they would enjoy this story and these stirrings toward greater joy!

Contents

Introduction: The Work of Christmas

Advent Week 1: Discovering Faith-Filled Courage

1 - Glory Days

2 - Bubba of Bellville

3 - A Grand Thanksgiving

4 - Xmas Trees and Bethlehem

5 - Choppin’ Wood and Christmas Quotes

6 - Stitches and Courageous Texts

Advent Week 2: Discovering Kingdom Anticipation

7 - Coffee and Kingly Incarnation

8 - Christmas at Work

9 - Quoting Angels

10 - Starfield

11 - Anticipations

Advent Week 3: Discovering Jubilant Joy

12 - A Fresh Dose

13 - Joy at Work

14 - Help

15 - Grace Golfs and Risks

16 - It’s a Wonderful Missa

17 - Grand Opening

Advent Week 4: Discovering Gracious Generosity

18 - Kingmakers

19 - Fit for a King

20 - At the Center

21 - Thick Threads

22 - Journey toward Generosity

23 - Choices, Cushions, and Courage

24 - X Marks the Spot

25 - The First Gift of Christmas

Next-Step Resources

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Introduction

The Work of Christmas

Humongous humbug or jubilant joy? Which one most readily describes how Christmas commonly feels for you, your coworkers, clients, family, and friends? The story in your hands was written as a hopeful antidote to the all-too-typical stress, the mad dash, and messy malaise that normally characterize our workplaces, homes, and neighborhoods during the holiday season.

Enjoy this four-week journey of discovery along with Zach, Maggie, old Henry, and a colorful collection of other characters. Get ready to personally discover how faith-filled courage, kingdom anticipation, jubilant joy, and gracious generosity transformed the ancient cast of original Christmas characters over two thousand years ago—and how these same discoveries can transform your own Christmas season this year.

The twenty-five chapter story was designed for personal inspiration, daily reading with family, or discussion along with friends in your small group or class. Stretching across this marvelous time of Advent, each week contains a cluster of story chapters followed by various questions, Scriptures for further research, and suggested exercises to enrich your soul.

A word of explanation might prove insightful—and hopefully empowering. Henry’s Christmas is an anticipated sequel to Henry’s Glory. Typical of most tales, I concluded the first story with two simple words: THE END. However, very quickly after its publication, excited readers began emphatically saying to me, "What happened next? That can’t truly be the end." Hence, you are holding the next key movements of discovery for our small band of adventurers. Rest assured if you did not yet read the first one, you can still trek along quite confidently and enjoyably on the journey. (No previous reading is required, and you can always backtrack later to read the first one.)

In the wondrous spirit of this blessed Advent season, you are warmly invited to enter this story. Dare to discover how courage, anticipation, joy, and generosity can work God’s wonders for your own Christmas and beyond. Turn the page and embark on the adventure!

John Elton Pletcher

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Summer 2016

Advent Week 1: Discovering Faith-Filled Courage

Chapter 1

Glory Days

Glowing green, brilliant red, and golden yellow danced in the windy, flurry-filled air along Main Street. Classic traffic lights dangled mid-road, accenting similar bright colors that were festively adorning the lamp poles. From a newcomer’s view, the tiny Ohio town might seem frozen in time. Frosty windowpanes displayed toy trains, elves, and vintage lanterns. Zach, however, was no stranger to this strip of road, having driven it during numerous journeys to his grandma’s house. Several quaint shop windows framed shimmering, winged angels that were flying from invisible wires.

On this particular drive, the blustery air carried a unique vibe. For the thick-haired twenty-something, there was a blend of heaviness, fear, and anticipation. Thanksgiving eve, almost ten o’clock, and he was still an hour from arriving at Gram’s. Zach was driving solo in his 1977 Ford F-100. Exiting from the interstate, he was using more caution. Flurries proved to be thicker now as he drove through the little towns along Route 13. As he rolled into Bellville, the snow was noticeably heavier, blanketing the two-lane road, potentially creating more treacherous conditions.

The previous summer, Zach had inherited this old, rattily pickup from his grandfather just a few days before his death. Though the truck was fraught with mechanical issues, Gram’s folksy, grease monkey neighbor, Marshall, had generously performed the necessary restoration projects. Thankfully, the old fella had proven roadworthy enough to venture back to Zach’s residence in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Zach’s very special friend, Maggie Brinkley, had affectionately dubbed the old Ford truck Henry. Together, Zach, Mags, and Henry had gone on summertime adventures of deeper personal discovery. In subsequent weeks of grieving Grandpa’s death, Zach and Mags asked soul-searching questions about the significance of their own daily work. They discovered how God’s mission for redeeming people could integrate with their everyday work and motivate them to lovingly serve others. Thick conversations were laced with even thicker flirtation. Family and friends could readily surmise something was moving them past the friend zone. There was an undeniable growing endearment for one another.

But that was last summer back in Ohio, during those quintessential glory days involving Grandma’s house, close family, and new friendships. They had indulged in coffee and robust theological talks with Grandpa’s old, wise friend, Doc Ben. A handful of leaders at Gram’s church had urged Zach to consider getting involved in Haiti. After the horrific earthquake, people in Haiti needed help to rebuild their homes, families, and whole communities. Teams had been working to restore lives, cultivate work skills, and develop a stronger cultural framework. Leaders from that team challenged Zach: Join us on one of our trips! Come work to build new businesses and expand Christ’s kingdom in Haiti.

Both Doc Ben and Gram’s wrench-turning neighbor, Marshall, had wonderfully encouraged Mags and Zach. Gain God’s perspective for your work endeavors and more gracious love for others. You can bring Christ’s greater glory in all you do and say each day!

Resuming the daily grind in Valley Forge, Zach and Mags were eager to implement such new views, to genuinely love clients and coworkers, and glorify God in their workplace tasks. But now, back to their full-time labors—Zach as an architect, Mags as owner of a veterinary clinic—they quickly found their best intentions were fraught with rascally risks and bigger setbacks than they had anticipated.

During the early weeks of fall, they had continued to enjoy each other’s close company, going out together more often on the weekends. Romantic sparks had continued to fly. Since Zach was employed by Brinkley Design-Build—yes, Maggie’s father, Larry, owned and led the firm—the young love birds found plenty of excuses to hang out together after work and on the weekends. Mags’ dad was personally intrigued that something romantic was kindling between his daughter and one of his young, star architects.

With thick-falling