Nativity: A Christmas Short Story

by Nikolas P. Robinson, Elizabeth McKee

Grace loves nativity scenes.
They're the centerpiece of her annual Christmas displays.
But for the last couple of years, vandals have taken it upon themselves to demolish nativity set after nativity set, leaving Grace feeling increasingly defeated and sad.
This year is going to be different.
This time, Grace will get her revenge and she'll have a nativity set that will rival anything she could buy from a department store.
This Christmas...you'll believe in the indomitable power of one old woman's Christmas spirit.

31 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 22, 2023

About the author

I am a grandfather (seven times over), a Splatterpunk Award-nominated and 666 (Sixie) Award-winning horror author, a photographer and videographer, a (former) musician, a News Producer, and an avid consumer of media.
Originally from the Twin Cities in Minnesota, I spent most of my life in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
In September of 2022, I moved from my long-time home in South Dakota to the Pacific Northwest, where I'm working as a morning News Producer for Good Day Oregon on KPTV/KPDX.
It's a pleasure to meet you, maybe you could find the time to check out some of the things I've written.
There's more on the way.
There's always more!
It never ends.

Reviews

[Jami Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grace is a fascinating character. Very clearly a creature of two worlds, you get to peek into her mind right away in this visceral, disturbing short story designed to give you just the right amount of holiday terror. I was only about six pages in before my stomach turned and I went, "...I know where this is going..."

The prose was a good balance of accessible and lyrical, to where it was easy to process for my ADHD mind. I found myself wishing it would end -- not because it wasn't good, but because it was disturbing, and THAT is how you know you have a good horror story.

Thanks to the authors for recommending this story to me! It's a fun way to spend a December Sunday.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the fourth time in two years, vandals have destroyed the nativity scene that Grace, a former sculptor now crippled with arthritis, displays proudly on her front lawn each year. “The world isn’t the same place it used to be, and people aren’t the same either,” Grace notes, and with this realization, she herself begins to evolve, forming a plan of retribution. Her new art installment is one the reader will not soon forget (bonus points for a helpful pair of gardening shears!). Robinson and McKee have crafted a delightful holiday tale that hits the spot (and reminds everyone to not be a d*ck, especially during the holidays).

[Nat Whiston · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a bloody brilliant story! Nik and Elizabeth both out did themselves with this one! Grace as a character is both complex and mysterious, but the cracks start to show when yet again another one of her life sized nativity decorations is destroyed. The story is such a reflection on the changes in society almost crossing House of Wax with the pied piper. Its gruesome detail is the trademark of Nikolas P Robinson, as Grace’s plan is detailed in graphic detail. But the additional psychological touch of a woman, who has given so much to her faith and feels that she has been left to suffer? That is something beautifully twisted. Then you have the additional characters as we explore the point of view of Charles, the unwilling wise man. As his endless torture is documented stage by stage due to his actions. Then we have Frank, the caring neighbour from next door, who only sees a sweet little old lady who used to teach sculpting at the school.
Brutal, creative and a dark way to start Christmas. This story leans on the principle of being careful who you wrong, these two better bring out more.