Tinker's Christmas

Tinker, a young intern elf at Christmas Village, is uncommonly clumsy and lacks a basic belief in himself. Santa asks Father Chris to try to help Tinker find his particular ability—his gift. Father Chris invites Tinker to share his cottage, but when Tinker nearly sets fire to the cottage, Tinker insists on moving. When assigned to take care of the reindeer, Tinker experiences two more mishaps. As a result of these mishaps, the other elves taunt and tease Tinker. Alone and lonely, Tinker’s best friend becomes a chimpanzee named Mathias. Upon failing at all previous assignments, when Tinker is assigned to work in the mechanical toy department. to everyone’s surprise, Tinker performs quite well and eventually becomes Chief Mechanic of the Christmas Village Express. A week before Christmas, Tinker visits Father Chris, whose niece Pixie is also visiting. Immediately smitten, Tinker becomes so nervous he falls and accidentally sets his hat on fire. Sweet and kind, Pixie is also smitten. During Tinker’s visit, Santa informs them that the reindeer have the chicken pox. When Santa asks Father Chris and Tinker about the possibility of delivering the toys in the train, Tinker says he can both modify and fly the train. All agree that Tinker would need help with the tasks; Tinker suggests Mathias, as no other elf would be willing to assist him. To everyone’s surprise, Pixie also volunteers. Reluctantly, Father Chris agrees, a decision that will test his own beliefs. After the modifications to the train are completed, the little troop practices at an abandoned farm. All goes well until the barn upon which they are to land collapses. Tinker points out that the rafters of the barn are rotted and most likely would not have held the sleigh either. After additional modifications to the train, the next day they accomplish their practice goal. Upon loading the train for the Christmas Eve run, Santa reminds everyone that just as they open their hearts to the world, they must open them to each other. The train-flying troop is successful, and when they return home, they find everyone waiting for them with a banner, a band, and a parade. When Tinker finds his gift, he also finds acceptance. As Father Chris observes the celebration, he surmises, “Sometimes we simply believe, sometimes we practice believing, and sometimes we must test our beliefs.” Tinker’s Christmasis a storyabout belief—belief in yourself, belief in your family and friends, belief in something greater than yourself.