12/25/2025
Theodore carried himself like a man who was certain Christmas Eve meant something significant was about to happen — possibly spiritual, possibly personal, definitely involving him.
Before anything else, Theodore attended tonight’s Mass. He arrived early, nodded solemnly at strangers, and sat down with the posture of someone ready to be moved. He listened carefully, stood when everyone stood, sat when everyone sat, and whispered “interesting” at least once during the homily.
At one point, he closed his eyes, folded his hands, and nodded like he’d just received a private message meant only for him. Whatever was said, Theodore took it as confirmation.
After Mass, he stepped back into the night energized — spiritually unclear, but extremely confident.
The city lit up and Theodore took that as a sign.
He was everywhere. Too visible. Too involved. He tipped his top hat at passersby like they were part of the congregation, wished people a “blessed and meaningful Christmas,” and offered commentary on decorations as if he’d been appointed to oversee them.
At Santa’s Village, he stopped, clapped his hands together, and announced, “Right… it’s all lining up now,” despite nothing actively lining up.
He spoke to people he barely knew like old friends. He nodded knowingly at couples. He laughed mid-thought with no thought preceding it. He raised an imaginary glass and toasted to “clarity,” whatever that meant.
At the height of it all — lights glowing, snow falling, bells ringing — Theodore stopped in the middle of the street and said, very seriously,
“I feel like something big is supposed to happen.”
Nothing did.
The night continued.
People went home.
The lights stayed on.
Eventually, Theodore slowed, nodded once like a man concluding a successful evening of faith and festivity, and wandered off into Christmas Eve convinced he’d done exactly what was required.
Spiritually present.
Chronically mistaken.
Still waiting.
Oh Theodore.