written by Lena

...

"what if ribbons and bows didn't mean a thing, would the song still survive without five golden rings?"

Christmas was less than a week away and the first year Riley Matthews began to question Christmas. It was already so close to Christmas and Riley just couldn't seem to get behind the idea of celebration. She asked Cory and Topanga and they said it was about being with family, but she still didn't understand that either. She was with her family all year, why would Christmas be more special than the spring or summer time. She sighed in frustration, she really wanted to be as excited as she used to be this time of year. Instead, all she could focus on was how everyone played the same songs and strung the same lights and even drank the same beverage. Where was the fun? The excitement? She felt like a grinch but she just couldn't seem to muster up a happy smile this year. She felt burned out like a bulb in a string of lights and when one light goes out, the rest inevitably follow. Her friends and family noticed her behavior and did their best to cheer her up.

After the failure with her parents, they sent Auggie in, hoping maybe his youth could help.

"Hey Auggie," Riley said, scooting over at the window so the boy could sit next to her.

"Riley, what's wrong? I thought you loved Christmas!" Auggie began, worried for his sister.

"I don't think you understand," Riley began, not wanting to break the news to Auggie.

"Yeah I do, you hate Christmas now don't you?" Auggie replied with a matter-of-fact tone.

"No, I don't hate Christmas, I just don't see the point of it," Riley replied definitely. At least she didn't think she did. If anything she felt lukewarm to the idea.

"Well, the point is the presents and Santa...duh," Auggie told her.

"Yeah, but there's gotta be more than that right?"

"I don't know, maybe?" Auggie replied, hoping down of the seat with a shrug, "Maybe it's about family, that's what mom and dad were saying." And with that, Auggie skipped out of the room, content with his attempts and still filled with childlike wonder of the seasons. Meanwhile, Riley remained in her seat at the window. She noticed snow beginning to fall and two faces appear in the window. Farkle and Lucas waved and she quickly opened the window.

"Hey Riley," the two boys greeted in unison.

"Hey guys," Riley replied in a bored tone.

"You still bummed about Christmas?" Farkle asked, taking off his scarf and sitting down beside her. Lucas sat on the other side.

"Not bummed, just kinda tired with it," Riley replied with a sigh.

"But why Riley? We don't get it, we thought you loved Christmas," Lucas added.

"I do but it's tiring you know, I just can't seem to figure out the true meaning of it all," Riley replied.

"Well, Riley the true meaning is a time to relax, to give gifts, to show others how much they mean to you," Farkle explained. Riley shook her head, confused.

"But shouldn't we do that all year?"

"Well, yeah but I mean, this is when everyone usually does it…" Farkle trailed off, beginning to doubt his own reasons.

"Well, for me it's about traditions. Back in Texas, it wasn't ever cold during Christmas time but we did lots of things together like getting a tree, well, it was a cactus but we put ornaments on it, and we even strung lights. It was something the family did together. The town would get together every year and we'd have an annual Christmas Eve feast at the church. It was pretty cool, do you have anything like that here?" Lucas added with a smile at the fond memories.

"Yeah, that sounds like fun, what do you guys do now that you're not in Texas?" Riley asked.

"Well, we still do some of the stuff like the lights, but typically we go back home to visit family."

"Oh, okay," Riley replied, wishing she could conjure up some joy within herself but she just couldn't find it. Lucas' family traditions sounded like fun, but she didn't really see why it gave meaning to the time of year. Lucas with a nervous expression glanced over to Farkle who looked equally perplexed. They really had no clue how to handle the girl who used to sing and jump around to Christmas carols and now sat idly by like a Scrooge, wishing for Christmas to be over. Riley noticed their stares.

"Guys, don't worry, I'm totally fine," Riley said unconvincingly, "I'm going to be okay I think I just need some time to think." The two boys looked as if they wanted to protest, but instead Farkle put back on his scarf and the two climbed out the window.

"We're headed to get some hot chocolate, want to come with us?" Farkle asked, popping his head back into the room.

"I'm good, thanks though," Riley said with a smile. The two boys left and Riley heard a knock at the door. Her parents called for whoever it was to come in.

Shawn and Maya had entered, Cory doing his usual running and screaming and hugging with Topanga rolling her eyes behind him. "Hey Cory and Topanga!" Shawn greeted. Maya meanwhile headed to Riley's room. She found her staring longingly out the window. "Hey, whatcha doing?" Maya asked, sitting down next to Riley and following her gaze to the streets below. Riley heaved another sigh.

"Oh, nothing…life…the season…all of it I guess," Riley replied.

"Okay…" Maya replied, the gears in her brain twisting, trying to figure out what was going on with Riley.

"Hey Maya," Riley began, sitting up and turning to her best friend. "What's the point of Christmas?"

"Well, that's a big one," Maya replied, surprised by Riley's question. "Well, my mother used to tell me this story. It was of a couple, they were traveling and one night, they couldn't find a place for the woman to have her child. They ended up going to a stable and she had her baby there," Maya began to tell the story she could recall so vividly, especially the image of her mother who would weave this story on Christmas Eve, reminding Maya that Christmas isn't about the presents they couldn't afford, but about the birth of a Savior. "So, the three shepherds came, with the three different gifts, one was gold, and the other two had weird names, anyways, that's what Christmas is," Maya ended and Riley was interested.

"Wait, so that's why we have Christmas?" Riley asked.

"Yeah, I thought everyone knew," Maya replied, shocked that she knew something Riley didn't.

"Well, I think I've heard the story, I just never paid much attention I guess," She replied, contemplating the story.

"Yeah Riley, this time of year is meant to celebrate, that's why we have the lights and parties and family." This was Maya's favorite time of year because her mother tried so hard to get her something special, tried so hard to make each Christmas the perfect one, and now they had Shawn and a family and a place to call home. Still, she wouldn't forget to thank God for giving her these gifts.

"So, we're celebrating God then?"

"Yeah, and because of that, we get to celebrate love, peace, and joy, all the things you used to love," Maya added with a smile, trying to dig out the old Riley.

Riley smiled back, grateful for her friend. "Thanks, I think I understand…and I also think I have some decorating to do!" Riley added with a smile. She got off the bay window and began searching for her special box of Christmas decorations and strands of lights for her room. With a simple reminder, Riley felt invigorated, saddened by the fact that Christmas was five days away and she still had so much holiday cheer to make up for!