Well, it is that time of year again. We decide who we are buying for this year, get all of our lists written out, after some serious brainstorming...what does my mom need? How old are my nieces now? What are they into? The questions about what to buy and where to buy it dance around in our mind, and hopefully we are still filled with the Christmas spirit after we go over that little detail...our budget. I think we are all feeling the pinch a little more this year than in most years past, with the economy the way it is. We are all just that much more aware of our financial picture. But what about the ones we pass by everyday, who dont have a list to make? The ones who can see their own breath as they walk down the street late at night, not knowing if they will be sleeping in a bed or on the cold pavement? They don't have the luxury of "coming home with their treasures" from the busy malls, and festive filled department stores. All they know is that they are hungry, alone and hurting.
The other day I went into the city with my mom, as she had a hair appointment and I wanted to do some Christmas shopping in this particularly trendy part of town. I picked up my delicious Gingerbread Latte from Starbucks, and headed off into the stores amongst busy shoppers and delightful Christmas decorations. I bought a beautiful nativity scene from a charming vintage store, made of brushed white porcelain...perfect for our mantle! As I took my last tantalizing sip of the latte I had been savouring, I came up to a trash can and couldn't help but notice a man who had been peering in longly to see if there was something he could salvage. Like most people I kept walking...as I walked away I could almost feel a palpable pull within my soul. I thought of that man, what was his story? Why was he so desperate? He was someones baby at one time...
I couldn't go any further, I looked back as he slouched over, another possibility to quench his hunger gone. I looked into my wallet, only twenties, no change. I thought to myself, "I needed that money for Christmas presents right?" But then I felt another tug, even more gripping than the last. I walked up to the man, $20 bill in hand and as he turned around I saw his eyes light up. "Really? Ohhhh man" he said, in a tone that resonated as if he was so close to hopelessness he couldn't understand why someone would even care. "You've just made my Christmas." Those words penetrated me to the core...
Made my Christmas??? I made his Christmas with a twenty dollar bill?
All I could say, as tears welled up in my eyes was, "Please go get something good to eat". He said thank you, and we went our separate ways.
In that moment I learned something that I will keep with me for the rest of my life. The gift that comes from within is the true meaning of giving...the gift that comes out of us from a stirring within our soul. There is a common bond all humans share, a deep connecting invisible truth. We must extend our hand to the needy, to those that are hurting...because if we all did just a little...what a difference we could make in this world. Perhaps a little more hope, a little more caring, a little more love could change a life. That life might just be your own.
So this Christmas, I hope you will listen to that whisper within your heart...dont ignore it, because however small, the gifts from within are more valuable than any gift under the Christmas tree.
