Joy to the World
Lights, decorations and Christmas trees filled the stores. Many people were there 1 Christmas was only two days away.
Thirteen-year-old Joy had just 2 her Christmas shopping. After Joy went out of the store, she came across her classmate, Nick, the least 3 student in school because he wore strange clothing and he had a face only a mother could love.
"What are you doing for Christmas?" said Nick with a smile that showed all his yellow teeth.
"I'm buying presents and having dinner with my 4," said Joy, trying to be polite." What about you?"
"My parents are away," he said." I live with my uncle, who doesn't like me very much."
Joy wasn't sure how to 5, so she said goodbye with an awkward smile. She felt sorry for Nick since he must feel 6. But that wasn't really her problem.
On Christmas Eve, Joy's family were busy around 7 for the holiday. Joy's parents were cooking in the kitchen. Joy was a child for holiday cheer, dancing 8 the house.
After dinner, the family got into their car and 9 to church for the Christmas Eve service. When they walked into the old building, they were 10 by the flow of beautiful songs. A man stood up with Bible and 11 the story Joy had learned on her mother's knees. It was about a baby named Jesus who came to live on Earth to help people who 12 him.
Joy's thoughts kept turning back to Nick. It must be 13 to be lonely on Christmas, a day that celebrated God's Son coming to Earth. Tears started to run down her 14, but she brushed them away.
Joy lay awake that night 15 everyone else was sleeping like a baby. She was thinking ways to help Nick. As soon as she heard parents get up, she 16 out of bed. She found them in the kitchen and told them about Nick. Then she asked," Can we invite him 17 today?" "Sure," said her mother, who was always happy when 18 came. Her father smiled.
When Joy called Nick later that day, he was excited. After getting his uncle's 19, he joined them for dinner. To her surprise, Joy enjoyed spending time with him.
Joy came to understand 20 Christmas cheer is a joy to Nick, even to the whole world.
