Reason for the Season

I’m not sure I know what the Christmas Holiday is all about. From stores being opened all night for extended shopping hours to deals piled on top of deals. It seems to mean that the true meaning of Christmas has gotten a bit twisted. Myself included, I’ve been distracted by the hustle and bustle, but this doesn’t have to been a continuing vicious cycle. What if next Christmas looked like this…

This Christmas I had the opportunity to serve with the York Rescue Mission, giving over 2000 kids an enjoyable and memorable experience. This picture was taken even before the doors were opened and that sets the entire story up.

My role for this event was a jester. I didn’t know what all that role consisted of until the event was right upon us. As the crowds were quickly filling up the halls of the building, it was my job to go around and entertain the children. I was extremely mindful of my outfit, considering I thought I looked awfully scary myself, and so I didn’t want to fear anyone. However, as I’m walking around yelling “Merry Christmas!” to everyone, a woman reaches out her arm and yells “Excuse me! Could you please come over here and see my children?! They really want to see you!”

I have never met this family before, and the fact that my role to greet was a bit awkward to begin with, I was thrilled that someone essentially invited me over to greet them. That made me job a lot easier. I knelt down to the kids and just began to engage in conversation with them. I asked them their names and I wish that I was better with remembering them, but they gave me something else far more special to remember them by. This little family of a mother and three kids gave me the reason for the season.

When talking to them, it was evident right away that they were so joyful. The kids were extremely excited to get in and watch the show and then receive their Christmas care package. More importantly though, they couldn’t stop talking about Jesus. They just love Him. Children so little and carefree are teaching me about joy?!?

When I stood up, their mother began to tell me about how they look forward to this Christmas event every year because of how she sees God working. The first thing mentioned wasn’t about the gifts handed out, or the food prepared, but it was about the love she feels through this ministry. She further talked about the church her and her children attend and how they all anxiously wait for the next time the church doors open to go in a worship their Lord. Then she said how they don’t even wait for that, but instead the kids just continue worship all the time in their home. Oh how that warmed my heart.

She didn’t even stop there. She turned it around on me and asked about my life at college. I explained a little bit about what I do and what God has been doing in my life, and she genuinely cared enough to tell me that she was going to pray for me and then she gave me a huge hug. I then knelt back down to the kids and asked for a hug from all of them as well. Let’s just say, they know how to hug.

Despite what they look like on the outside, having very little, representing the reason for the season showed me that they truly have all that they need: all on the inside.

These precious faces will always be remembered and for me, when I think Christmas, I think of this very story. The greatest gift ever given is God’s Son. And He is with us. I have all I could ever need. What about you?

Blessings to you all.