A CHRISTMAS SURPRISE

"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2 (NIV)

Let’s see, pick up a present for my husband and one for our daughter’s boyfriend. We could go to Fort Wayne to get the last one and take in a movie at the same time. I really want to see Saving Mr. Banks. Wow, plans that may really fall into place. Then the phone rang.

Would Bill please visit someone in the hospital? Sure - we could stop before going into the city. And, it will all fit on my list of "Things to be done." After all, it was Christmas and visitation just go together. However, we were the ones who were blessed.

The lovely lady we visited was in her nineties. She was bright, clear-eyed, smooth skinned and full of smiles. She thanked the church for the prayer shawl that had been blessed before it was given to her. An interest in life and creative expression was still evident in her life and she asked if the church could use any of the tubs of craft materials she still has. A stranger was immediately turned into a new friend because of the common bond of Christian love.

Christmas is the very time to remember how the world has changed because of Jesus Christ, because of Christmas. Love, grace and forgiveness came into the world over two-thousand years ago. What would our lives be like without them? Perhaps we would have been afraid to greet a stranger with love and trust, before the birth of the King. Maybe we would have missed the chance to meet a fine seasoned lady who still thought of others and wanted to share what she had.

Rather than shop for yet another present – visit a shut-in or widow, talk to a child, bring love to the lonely or loveless. You will be bringing true Christmas into someone’s life. When you are kind to a stranger, they may actually see an angel through you.

Like Bedford Falls would have been a dangerously bleak and dismal Pottersville if George Bailey had never been born – our world would be without all the blessings of Christmas if Jesus Christ had not been born. Tomorrow, Christmas Eve, grow tired from waiting upon the Lord – not weary from buying more of what is not even needed in the first place. Let us pray:

"Holy Father, your son’s birthday is almost here. You brought Heaven to earth and our hearts to Heaven when he was born. All of Glory rejoices with song as we celebrate his birth. Sometimes we are too busy to hear the melodies or lyrics to your songs of love. Forgive us for our busyness which only serves to make us feel worthy. May this be the Christmas when we listen to you and speak of your love wherever we go. We love you Lord and we thank you for the most precious gift of Christmas. In the name of Jesus, your son, the baby that was announced by angels and the great light of heaven, we pray. Amen"

Doris

"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2013 Doris Gaines Rapp

Escape from the Belfry is available at Cokesbury: www.cokesbury.com, mailto:dorisgainesrapp@gmail.comwww.archwaypublishing.com bookstore, www.amazon.com and www.b&n.com and others.

Website: www.dorisgainesrapp.com