The True Meaning of Christmas
Every year my work picks a family that we serve to “adopt” for Christmas. We ask them for a list of what the kids want and need and we collect money and gift donations from staff. The families chosen are always families truly in need and without any other resources for the holidays.
One of the two families this year has an 8-yr-old boy whose mother died last summer and whose father has been out of work since having to take care of her and then not being able to find work since she died.
The list for the boy was basically the following:
- Winter coat
- Socks
- Underwear
- Soccer ball
- Bicycle
When I showed the list to Blayne and asked what we should take care of, he became very solemn and asked in a small, sad voice, “it’s OK that I ask for other things, right?” "What do you mean?“ I asked.
"I mean, it is OK that I ask for an iPod Touch and Comic Books and stuff, right?” I said, “of course it is, as long as you understand how lucky you are and are grateful for what you have.”
He then said, “Mom, is someone going to get him the bike? It is the only real gift he is asking for. Someone should get him the bike.” "I don’t think so, Sweetie. A bike is pretty expensive and for a family like this, money would be more practical,“ I explained.
"Well, then, can I give him my bike?” he asked. “Are you sure you want to do that?” He said Yes he did and I told him if he did this I wouldn’t be able to get him a new bike because it wouldn’t be a gift then. It would just be him getting a new bike and the kid getting a hand-me-down. He said, of course he understood this and that it was way more important for this kid to have a bike than he. "After all,“ he said, "this kid has no Mom and I do. The least I can do is give him my bike.” With tears in my eyes I said, “of course you can give him your bike.”
