THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER


"'Twas the night before Christmas"...and the children's excitement grew. "Will Santa really come tonight? Will he know I'm here? Will he bring presents just for me?" Over and over they asked the same questions.

Sound familiar? Typical scene in our homes on Christmas Eve? Perhaps, but this was not a typical Christmas. Although we annually open our church doors to the homeless, this year CARITAS (Churches Around Richmond To Assure Shelter) contacted us to house them additionally the week before Christmas. Could we make preparations for Christmas in our own homes and still make time for thirty-two family members, one a week-old baby? We said yes.

Kelly, whose own mother was homeless at the time in another state, volunteered to coordinate the program. Assisted by Sunday School classes and interested individual contributors, our guests were fed breakfast, a bag lunch, and dinner each day. Another group assembled hygiene bags with various toilet articles for each person. CARITAS set up cots in the fellowship hall. Because tiny babies were included, we brought in from the church nursery cribs and playpens.

Two church members, Jane and Jo, arrived each morning at 4:30 a.m. and prepared a hearty breakfast. By 6:30 a.m. the CARITAS bus picked up and took adults to jobs or counseling and children to day care. Several times during the week they found their laundry washed and folded on their return at 5:30 p.m.

But how could Christmas week be made special for these whose lives are jeopardized by being homeless? Could we bring joy to those who lived with disappointment, with despair, with little to call their own? Jane, Jo and Kelly knew we could and would.

On Wednesday evening the children and teenagers were invited into the kitchen and allowed to make Christmas cookies for their families. A tradition our children take for granted brought excitement and joy to the homeless children. The normally cool street-wise teenagers entered into the fun while the little ones proudly delivered cookies adorned with sprinkles, M & M's, and colored sugar to their mothers.

When Christmas Eve arrived the questions continued. "Are you sure Santa will know where to find us? Will he leave something with my name on it?"

Having their names on the presents seemed especially important to these young children who expected little more than a token gift. The more experienced kids warned that they might receive only a small gift from their parents under their pillows on Christmas morning.

After preparing dinner our youth group cleared the tables and sat down to play cards with the teenagers. The women played Christmas music and organized a Bible study among themselves. Our pastor read the Christmas story to the children. They listened but their excitement made it difficult to settle down at bedtime.

At 4:30 a.m. on Christmas morning, the breakfast crew quietly slipped inside. After clearing the stage of the eating tables and chairs, they moved the Christmas tree to the center of the room and closed the curtain to await the big surprise.

The children began to stir at 7:30 a.m. When everyone was awake and dressed, Jane mounted the steps and announced, "We've had a visitor." She told the children the tradition begun by St. Nicholas AKA Santa Claus who brings gifts to children around the world. When the curtains opened revealing the array of gifts, the children gasped. Their eyes wide with wonder, they asked the same question again, "Are there gifts with my name on them?"

With the help of a local advertising agency, CARITAS and individuals, each family received a large duffle bag on rollers (filled with gloves, socks, underwear, hand cleaner, baby wipes). Older children welcomed backpacks, and toys lit up the faces of the little ones. At least four packages labeled with their names awaited each child. Their joy brought tears to the eyes of everyone.

A few of the parents had been able to slip tiny items for their own children under their pillows. Some had sponsors who provided small gifts. Without prompting, those who had more shared with others who did not.

When the excitement died down, breakfast was served and plans began for Christmas dinner. The parents and two of the older teens asked permission to prepare for themselves a Christmas meal of ham, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. Filled with pride the two boys put up tables. Jane gave them tablecloths, napkins, candles, and real dishes in place of the daily Styrofoam, and they set the tables. They thanked her again and again for this added consideration.

The meal over, one of the mothers insisted she would wash the dishes and expressed appreciation for the simple permission to go to the refrigerator for what she needed, a privilege rarely granted.

When the day ended and CARITAS came to transport the families elsewhere, tears rained from both sides. The children said, "We want to stay here with you." Our guests surprised us by writing thank you notes to the church, two of which are included here. *

These who have little hope, little self-esteem, little self-worth, had received a gift at Christmas that they hardly expected. Tearfully Jane and Jo agreed. "This was our best Christmas ever."







*Thanks a million for being a conduit of so many blessings. There's a story about footprints in the sand that comes to mind in this case. Thanks for being a part of helping us put our own prints back on life's beach. God bless you. -Cindy

I would really like to thank you all very much for all you have done for both of us. God bless you and may your faith always be with you and your church and the members who helped out in every way possible. Thank you once again. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all you sweet people. We love you dearly. Make next year special also for other families who need help and shelter. -Pamela"





-Audrey Surma (c) 2000






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