This story is pulled from the archives as a celebration for the season edition.

Groff Media 2024© Truth Endures IMDbPro

Presented by benandsteve.com By: Benjamin Groff II©

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The Blizzard of ’78 was no ordinary snowstorm. It howled through North America, blanketing rooftops and highways, erasing the horizon in a swirling fury of white. Santa Claus sat in his workshop. He held his red velvet hat in his hands. He stared solemnly at the weather reports brought in by the Weather Elves.

“It’s no use,” 

Santa said, his voice heavy. 

“We can’t fly in this. It’s too dangerous. The snow is too thick, and even Rudolph’s nose won’t cut through this blinding storm. I have to call off deliveries.”

Gasps filled the workshop. Elves dropped their tools, and Mrs. Claus paused her cookie baking. Cancel Christmas? It was unthinkable.

But one elf, a tinker named Chetwood, didn’t gasp. He didn’t drop his tools. Instead, he dashed to his workshop in the far corner of the North Pole. Odds and ends of toys from Christmases past piled high in organized chaos.

Chetwood had been working on a secret invention for years. He used discarded parts from electronic toys no child had wanted. These parts included remote-controlled cars, walkie-talkies, old circuit boards, and an outdated Etch A Sketch. He believed there had to be a way to guide Santa’s sleigh through anything, even the thickest fog or snowstorm.

Tonight was his chance.

For hours, Chetwood worked feverishly, soldering wires, tweaking circuits, and adjusting dials. The other elves whispered about his eccentricity. 

“Chetwood’s always been a dreamer,” 

One said.

“What could he possibly be doing now?”

At midnight, the storm raged on outside. Chetwood burst into the main workshop. He was holding a contraption resembling a patchwork of wires, gears, and blinking lights. He had painted it candy-cane red with a shiny silver antenna on top.

“Santa!”

He cried.

“I call it the Chetwood 500. A radar system can guide the sleigh through total darkness, blizzards, and even the densest fog. I made it from old toys that no one wanted—because one elf’s trash is another elf’s treasure!”

Santa raised an eyebrow but smiled warmly. 

“Chetwood, are you sure this will work?”

“With 100 percent accuracy,” 

Chetwood replied proudly.

The elves gathered around as Chetwood mounted the device on the sleigh. The radar emitted a soft, rhythmic beep, lighting up a screen that displayed glowing outlines of obstacles in their path.

Rudolph gave an experimental snort and trotted to the front of the sleigh, curious about the gadget. Santa climbed into the driver’s seat, gripping the reins tightly.

“All right, Chetwood,” 

Santa said. 

“Let’s see if your invention can save Christmas.”

The sleigh took off into the Blizzard, disappearing into the swirling snow. The elves held their breath, watching the radar screen from the workshop.

Minutes turned into hours. Soon, reports came in from children across the globe. Santa had arrived, gifts were under the tree, and stockings were filled. The Chetwood 500 had guided the sleigh flawlessly, even through the most treacherous conditions.

When Santa returned to the North Pole just before dawn, he lifted Chetwood onto his shoulders. 

“You didn’t just save Christmas, Chetwood. You’ve created something that will change the world. One day, your radar will guide airplanes and ships where they’ve never dared to go before!”

From that day on, Chetwood’s invention became a staple of Christmas lore. Every Christmas Eve, the Chetwood 500 sat proudly atop Santa’s sleigh. It served as a reminder. Even the most unwanted things can shine with purpose in the hands of a true believer.