Christmas With the Karountzoses

- My name is Michael Karountzos.

From as far back as I can remember,

there was one thing I really wanted to be

when I grew up.

A great father.

I wanted to be the dad that never missed his kids' games,

always tucked his kids in at night.

And above all else, provided his children

with everything that they would need to get by

in this world.

In my third year of college, I had to drop out

to support my dad's restaurant business.

I bounced around to a few jobs,

and that's when I met Tiffany.

At a wedding no less.

Before long we had a few kids,

and I settled into my job at ICG as a systems analyst.

As time went by, my dream of being a great father

seemed to slip further and further away.

To my regret, I had to spend more time at work

and less time with my family.

But after 18 years, I finally got the break I needed.

I had applied for a position of

Regional Vice President of ICG.

Our family would finally be able to breathe,

and most importantly, I was gonna be able to put

my first son through college.

My friend, Disco Dave, told me that

he'd seen the paperwork so, all that was left was for me

to get that call and act surprised.

But that's where God intervened.

You see, in these hard times,

we cut back on so many things.

Food, gas, clothes.

And unfortunately one of the other things was God.

And on this Christmas Eve, God came looking for me.

Except, I had no idea it was him,

because it all began with one simple thing.

Tiffany, have you seen my cellphone?

- Did you check your coat?

- Yeah, and that's, I can't find it.

- Yeah, well, you sit right there.

I have two gifts for you.

- Shouldn't there be a box, or some gift wrapping?

Something, no?

No.

You ready for the first one?

Oh honey, you know what?

I just realized, I left my cellphone

on my desk at the office.

I gotta go back and get it.

Oh, no, no, no.

No work today, no.

Your relatives are gonna be here in a couple of hours.

Honey, you know what?

The promotion's coming in and that cellphone,

I gotta get it.

I will be back in one hour, I promise you.

Hey, Jeff.

Oh, dad.

Can you help me with my homework?

- Not now, I gotta get to the office.

On Christmas Eve?

- Yeah, I left my cellphone there,

and the promotion call is coming through on that.

- Well, I just need help writing a few paragraphs

on what it means to be Greek.

Oh, Jeff.

No, no, I'll help you with it when I get home, I promise.

I gotta get to the office.

That's what you always say.

Hey dad, what you doing?

- Just finished installing the surveillance cameras.

Anything moves around the house, Papou sees it.

- Dad, this isn't about those religious groups

that keep coming to the door, is it?

- I told them, this is Greek Orthodox house.

Stay away from here or you have big troubles, mister.

- Lance, keep an eye on him.

Oh, you're still here, good.

Can you drop this prosphora over at the church

on your way home?

- Oh Honey, no, no, no, I don't have time.

No, no, no.

Father Tom said he really needs that.

Okay, I got time.

- Just give me one sentence, please.

Oh, your cousin Telly called.

He said that he can make it.

Telly?

Why did you invite Telly?

- You said to invite all of your relatives.

You have a cousin named Telly?

I got a cousin named Telly.

He's a tow truck driver.

Who needs a tow today?

Why haven't we met him?

- Lulu's loukoumades.

- Lulu's loukoumades happened 15 years ago,

it's time to bury the hatchet.

- Does he still have that fake Greek accent?

Michael.

No, no, seriously.

The guy has lived in America for 40 years,

and still has a thick Greek accent.

All right, guys.

The phone call's coming at three.

Love all of you.

Love you too.

I'll be back, bye.

Oh hey, Koslowski.

We're having some of my relatives over tonight

for a Christmas party.

Just in case it gets a little loud.

- Do me a favor, make sure no one parks on my lawn

like last time.

Yeah, sorry about that.

That was my yia yia.

My grandmother.

She never got her driver's license.

- Great, the crazies are having a party tonight.

Now we gotta listen to that freaky music

they play all night.

What is it with these people and their music?

I like it.

Oh, no, no, no, no, no.

- Hi, you've reached

Aspasia Karountzos, sorry I missed you.

State your name, phone number,

and something that will make me smile.

Hi mom, it's me.

I just wanna let you know

I'm getting a huge promotion today.

I mean, well, it's between me and another guy,

but Disco Dave told me that I got the promotion, so.

I just wanted you to know, I made it.

And I knew that would make you smile.

I love you, mom.

- Hey Michael, is your cellphone dead?

I've been calling you all morning.

I'm here.

I'm good, I'm good, I made it.

- They're calling you in three minutes.

- Hey dad, check out this snowflake.

Lance, I.

- It keeps moving, isn't that weird?

Yeah, guys.

I'm.

Who's there with you?

- Lance, I'm waiting for a phone call, okay?

- Hello, hello, is this on?

- Dad, yes, it's on, guys.

Am I hearing another--

Hello, can you hear me?

I can hear you fine.

Lance, I told you, don't let Papou

get anywhere near that Skype.

Oh, there you are.

I'm finished with my room.

However, I have a spot here where you have measured

the children and their hand prints.

Should I paint over it?

- Yeah dad, a broker said

that we're gonna be moving,

so the cleaner the house is the better the resell value.

So I guess just paint over it.

- Am I hearing another voice, is someone there with you?

- No guys, I'm sorry, I gotta go.

- Okay, good luck with your promotion.

Congrats mister VP.

Bye dad.

Oh, for God's sake.

Honey, what?

No, no, I got the prosphora, but it's in the car.

Yeah, sweetie, the call's coming in on this line.

No, no, no.

I love you, I love you so.

I'm gonna kiss your picture after this.

I love you, but I gotta free this line.

Bye, bye, bye.

I love you, bye.

Finally,

the Lord peered over the cusp of heaven and said,

I will send My son, and his love will rest gently

on all mankind, and through Him,

I will be reconciled with man.

On this Christmas Eve,

this is the message I wanna leave you with.

God sent his son, Jesus Christ, for you.

Oh, hey father.

It's Michael Karountzos.

- Oh, hi Michael, you caught me testing

out my sermon for tonight.

Hold on.

I'll be right back.

- I really could have used your help

about 20 minutes ago.

What do you want me to tell my wife and kids?

You wanna know why I don't come around that much anymore?

- Hey, I just got the group email from Tiffany