Worst – Best Christmas Ever

Think on this…when I was a child Christmas was a big deal. We were poor so my mom would often get help from local charities to supply us with more toys than a kid in the projects should have. It was wonderful. It was all preceded by my hometown’s big Christmas parade and tree lighting ceremony. The entire main street was lit up beautifully. It set such high expectations for the season.

As was our custom we moved a lot. We not only moved to most dangerous city in New Jersey, but also the country, Camden. This is where I was exposed to gang violence, guns, and gambling. That Christmas we had nothing, and I mean nothing! No food, no tree, no nothing. I got a “hi” for Christmas, and that was that. It was depressing, to say the least, for my little sister and me. I didn’t have the true meaning of Christmas (the story of Jesus) to give me hope, so long faces were abundant.

Then about mid afternoon there was a knock at the door. My older sister and brother entered. We had not seen them for a while; so our spirits were up. They also had presents with them, and the tone of the day turned on a dime. My older sister, who was in high school, spent almost all of her money buying us gifts, anticipating our lack. My brother and I went to the local Chinese store to purchase fried chicken and fries for dinner. Why are Chinese store always open? Never mind. The point was they came, and they were Christmas!

As I am listening to my wife read the Christmas story from the Bible with our Godson, I am taken back to my worst-best Christmas. We decided that he would not have to go through what I went through, as he is also the child of a single mother. We can give gifts, and he has been given plenty, but we want to be the gift. I challenge you to follow the example of my older sister and brother, the example I now follow; it’s the example of Jesus. BE THE GIFT. “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11 …Just a thought.