The Least of These: A Christmas Story

And that's why we celebrate Christmas.

It's the birth of Jesus Christ.

So, Christmas is Jesus' birthday?

That's right, baby girl.

You got it.

Where did Jesus live?

What?

He didn't really have a place to live, did he?

It's time to go to sleep now, baby.

I love you.

Let's say our prayers, okay?

Okay.

All right.

Dear Lord Jesus,

thank you for all your blessings.

You, Lord, are our provider.

We ask that you continue providing for us and keep us safe.

Oh God, we thank you that we have each other.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Amen.

Katy, come on, quit playing.

Come on now.

- But Momma! - You're gonna be late

for school.

- But Momma. - Jack is gonna

have breakfast for you when you get out there.

And always remember to thank him.

But Mom, I said I need a tablet for school.

What?

Hey Rose, you got a table.

Oh my gosh.

- Don't worry about it. - I can take care of this.

Are you sure?

I just need to dry her and put her hair up.

No problem.

Thank you, I gotta go earn a tablet.

Well then you better make nice.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

Hey, what can I get ya?

That's usually my line.

Cute, what can I get you?

Did somebody put a lump of coal in your stocking?

The only thing that's been in these stocking

the last few years has been sore feet.

What can I get ya?

Now see, that's funny.

Okay, give me the Santa Sunrise Special.

Anything else?

No thanks, Velma.

I grabbed the wrong name tag.

It's Rose.

Well, Rose, nice to meet you.

You too.

I'm Santa.

Of course you are.

Order up, Dot.

Coffee?

I'm only seven.

I see.

I had you pegged for at least eight.

Momma says I'm mature for my age.

How old are you?

I'm as old as Christmas.

Did you know Jesus?

No, no.

No, he was over in Bethlehem.

I was up there.

North.

Pole.

Long ways.

Do you visit everybody in the world?

Of course I do.

Everybody deserves something for Christmas.

I thought you had a list.

You know, a good list and a bad list.

Sure, I do.

But there just aren't that many kids

that are so bad I wouldn't visit 'em at Christmas.

They have to be pretty darn bad, don't you think?

Bye.

Bro, what is wrong with you?

Excuse me.

Not everybody believes in Santa Claus.

Nor do they need to.

Do you really feel like your little thing

of balancing of scales, if you're good, you get a gift,

if you're naughty, you don't get anything?

Is that working out for everybody?

More coffee, Santa?

- Excuse me. - No!

No, I don't think I can.

That's more of that Christmas spirit.

Look, I just came in here for breakfast,

spread a little Christmas cheer.

Wow and you're the professional?

I don't understand any of this.

Okay.

Rose is a special person around here.

And so is that little girl.

She's a single mom.

She can't buy groceries, much less Christmas presents.

Sugar?

Diet.

Listen, that little girl didn't choose this road.

When Rose came here, she wasn't looking for a job.

She wanted to wash dishes or clean,

anything it took to get Katy a meal.

One single meal.

Jack fed them both and gave Rose this job.

How does this happen?

Katy's a good kid.

She doesn't have Christmas.

A lot of kids don't.

You ever worked a farm?

Order up, Dot.

Coming.

You know, growing up when a fence was down,

my dad would fix it because if he didn't,

the cattle would get out.

You see, fences don't keep bad things out,

they keep good things in.

There ain't no bad kids, Santa.

There just aren't many fence menders.

Santa!

Merry Christmas.

I was going to mail it.

Dear Santa, thank you for talking to me today.

Mommy says I shouldn't believe in you,

but she's just sad, I think.

I wish she would believe in you.

Maybe she would be happy.

Believing in you makes me happy.

I am going to try to be extra good this year.

I wrote you a letter last year and mailed it,

but you didn't come.

Maybe you didn't get it.

Or maybe I was on the bad list.

That's why I wanted to give you this letter myself.

Now I know if you come, that I was a good girl.

But if you don't, I will know why.

Say hello to Mrs. Santa.

Do you have any children?

Love, Katy Elizabeth Yates.

P.S. I drew you a picture of what I want for Christmas.

I hope it's not too late.

Oh hey, Charley.

Dinner's almost ready.

I'll eat later.

Where are you going?

Where are you going?

Nancy, I can't do this anymore.

Do what?

Be Santa.

I'm no Santa.

Charley?

Santa!

Merry Christmas!

I am Santa Claus.

I'm Santa.

Mm-hm.

I'm serious, I'm Santa.

Well of course you are, Charley.

You have been ever since you joined

the Salvation Army 14 years ago.

No, Nanc.

No.

I mean, I really am Santa Claus.

Uh-huh.

All right, who's Santa?

He's the jolly old soul who's lives at the North Pole

who's got the really cute wife named Mrs. Claus.

He has tons of elves.

They make toys all year long.

He delivers them on Christmas Eve.

Aside from that, who's Santa?

All right, Santa spreads Christmas cheer.

He brings joy and laughter to the kids.

He triggers the most incredible,

incredible childhood memories in adults.

His face stops tears, Nanc.

He's a man put on this Earth for a little girl to believe in

when she's got nothing else going on.

And...

He brings presents.

Right.

Did you get everything you asked for for Christmas?

Not until I married you, Charley.

Case closed, I'm Santa.

I love you, Charley.

I bet you do now that you know who I really am.

Mom, I'm drowning!

You haven't even eaten yet,

and the bus is gonna be here any minute.

What are you doing with comb in there?

I'm drowning!

Oh, don't be so dramatic.

Okay, come on.

It's in my eyes.

Rose, he's here again and he asked for you.