Christmas Lesson

Christmas Eve, we took 5 bags filled with socks, gloves, hats, cookies and water to the homeless.  Inspired by friends who used to live in our city (North Family), we carried on their tradition. We didn't have a plan.  Before we left, we each took a bag, prayed over the recipient, and asked God to show us who was to receive our gesture of charity.

We knew we would go downtown - a 10 minute Strassenbahn (streetcar) ride from our front door.  Upon arriving at our station, we noticed 4 homeless men sitting on cardboard pieces in front of a closed grocery store.  Chris told the men, who were from Poland, that these were gifts for each one of them.  Their reluctant, suspicious stance toward us changed to gratitude as they peered into their bags.  Each one, of whom none spoke German or English, managed a cryptic "Thank you" in English.

We had one remaining bag.   This bag was designated for a woman.  While assembling the bags, we had one extra pair of thick, woolen socks.  We decided to put them in the woman's bag.

As we walked the streets, that were empty except for the foreign tourists making their way to Christmas concerts, we looked for the one woman to whom we could give our bag.  Sitting on the concrete, next to the entrance of a major Ubahn (Subway) station, we discovered a young woman about the age of my Parker.  Head low, beggars cup next to her feet, we knew she was the "one".

Libby handed her the bag.  I spoke to her in German only to discover she spoke neither German or English.  As she peered into the bag, her face lit up.  I was moved to tears.  I had to touch this precious face ... this vagabond of the night. I looked down at her feet.  She had no shoes.  She wore only socks.

Tears and gratitude flowed down all of our cheeks and hearts as we silently walked away from our recipient.  God knew she needed the extra socks.  He had already noticed her.

This act that took minutes of our time on Christmas Eve has made a big impression on me.  Libby said, as we walked arm in arm away from our young girl, that she felt so selfish.  While at the house, she was dreaming of all the things she might receive for Christmas.  Then, after seeing this girl, she felt embarrassed for wanting so much.

The lesson is not to feel guilty for having.  The lesson is to be grateful for what you have been given. Our beggar had learned that lesson.  Now, we were all being reminded of it!

I don't know why this precious girl is on the street.  I don't know why I get to live in such a lovely apartment minuets from the place she begs.  However, I'm grateful that on Christmas Eve, God allowed our paths to meet.  We both recieved a gift.

Humble and Grateful,
Christina