I was recently digging through some old documents in my file cabinet in my home office when I came across these song lyrics that I had written back in 1989. It was a meant to be a recitation with an instrumental version of “Silent Night” playing in the background. But since this is not possible within my little blog post, I will share the story with you as it was originally written…
Source: clipartpal.com
It was a few days before Christmas, and my friends and I decided to go Christmas Caroling at a nearby nursing home. What better way, we thought, then to share the joys of the season with those who are feeling lonely, depressed or even forgotten. So, we piled into our cars and arrived at the nursing home.
It was a bitter cold December evening, yet we were greeted with smiling faces and open arms. How happy these people were to see us! Their faces lit up like children on Christmas morning when we walked into the room. So with guitars and voices, we played and sang with the love of Christ in our hearts.
It was then when I thought that I held the true meaning of Christmas. After all, I had done something worthwhile, and I felt pretty satisfied. But there was more – much more.
You see, when we finished singing, the folks at the nursing home shared with us some of their experiences, their stories, and their fondest memories. They talked of other groups of people who came to visit them. They talked about welcoming new arrivals to their home. They talked about seeing their old friends leave, and seeing their old friends die.
Then they told us about Christmas. “Everyone spends time with their families,” one lady said. “But we spend Christmas by ourselves.” Well, that hit me like a punch in the gut…and I starting thinking. How many people in this world have no one to spend Christmas with? Oh, how we get so wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays, never taking the time to live and spread the true meaning of Christmas: celebrating the birth of our Savior; spreading good cheer to those who are down; touching the life of someone who is in need; being with those who you love…that’s what Christmas is all about!
I learned a lot that night at the nursing home. And as my friends and I said our goodbyes, we wished them all a very Merry Christmas. And each one of them thanked us for taking the time to remember them. “May God bless you,” one man said. I responded with a tear in my eye, “May God bless you as well!”
From my family to yours: may you be filled with the joy of the Christmas season each and every day of your life!
May God bless you always!
Deacon Allen
