“The spirit of Christmas is Christlike love. The way to increase the Christmas spirit is to reach out generously to those around us and give of ourselves. The best gifts are not material things but gifts of listening, of showing kindness, of remembering, of visiting, of forgiving, of giving time.”
— Bonnie L. Oscarson
Every year, on Christmas Day, West Broadway Community Ministry, in Winnipeg, a joint Anglican/United Church outreach organization, where I ministered for ten years, would host a Christmas gathering complete with a festive feast, musical entertainment, and gift giving. Friends from Shaarey Zedek synagogue would be on hand to help, as would a number of groups and businesses in the area. About 200 persons shared in the day, most of them living in extreme poverty, many having mental health challenges, some struggling with addictions, others poor seniors isolated and alone.
These were days in which I always experienced a sense of the Holy, of divine presence, of the true Spirit of Christmas. One Christmas Day, especially, stands out for me. In attendance was ‘Big Pete’, as he was known. Pete was addicted to alcohol, and homeless more often than not. Pete had a great a sense of humour and loved a good joke, but he was a rough, tough guy you didn’t trifle with. On more than one occasion it was necessary to intervene when Pete’s temper began to get the better of him. Pete was all excited, as all our guests were, when it came to the time for gift giving.
Like the “Our Place’ Angel Gift program many of you have generously supported, most of the gifts on that Christmas day were matched to folks according to size, gender, age. But also there were available a number of wrapped gifts provided anonymously that were distributed lottery fashion. Everyone had one-half of a numbered ticket; and if the other half was drawn from a hat that person would get the next available gift. I drew a number out and read it aloud and Big Pete yelled out , “Bingo!” He quickly came forward and picked up his gift. He went back to his table opened it up and suddenly there was loud laughter from those sitting around him.
Big Pete’s present was a large life size baby doll. Amidst the laughter and silly or rude remarks shouted his way, Pete stood up calmly and walked slowly and purposely across the room to a table where a woman and her daughter were sitting. He bowed low and then handed the baby doll to the little girl whose face just shone with delight and whose mother could hardly keep back the tears of joy.
For a moment you could have heard a pin drop. We were witnessing a holy moment. And then suddenly, spontaneously, and spirit driven everyone in that room jumped up and applauded and cheered. I have to tell you I had a hard time holding back tears of my own, for I realized I had witnessed an enactment of the true spirit of Christmas.
Here, in front of me, were the shepherds and angels of Christmas lore; the star shining over the stable, the voice declaring, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace and goodwill among people.” Here, in this simple, yet profound act of kindness and generosity, Christ had been born in the hearts of all of us who shared that moment.
I pray that as these seasons of Advent and Christmas unfold you will be on the outlook for ‘holy’ moments, those moments of mystery and wonder, beauty and joy, goodness and generosity. May you have glimpses of the glorious divine presence, and be touched by the goodness and love of God, the peace and strength of Christ, the guidance and comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Rev. Bob
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