Christmas Kindness

In the Chicken Soup for the Soul book The Book of Christmas Virtues, Marion Smith tells of her experience in Washington, D.C.'s Union Station on a bitterly cold December evening. She sat on a public bench with a steaming cup of coffee, waiting for feeling to return to her fingers. As diners left the American Restaurant, the heavenly aromas tempted her to consider an early dinner. She observed a man seated nearby, and from the longing in his eyes, realized that he, too, noticed the tantalizing food. His gaunt body, wind-chapped hands and tattered clothes nearly shouted, "Homeless, homeless!"

Half expecting him to approach her for a handout, he didn't. While she debated what to do, a well-dressed young couple approached him. "Excuse me, sir," the husband said. "My wife and I just finished eating, and our appetites weren't as big as we thought. We hate to waste good food. Can you put this to use?" He extended a large Styrofoam container. "God bless you both. Merry Christmas," came the grateful reply. Marion was pleased, yet dismayed by her own lack of action. The man scrutinized his new found bounty, rearranged the soup crackers, inspected the club sandwich and stirred the salad dressing-obviously prolonging this miracle meal. Then just before taking the first bite he stopped short. She turned her head to follow his gaze. Entering the hall and shuffling in their direction was a new arrival. Hat less and glove less, an elderly man was clad in lightweight pants, a threadbare jacket and open shoes. His hands were raw, and his face had a bluish tint. Marion gasped aloud at this sad sight, but her needy neighbor leaped up and guided the elderly man to an adjacent seat. He took his icy hands and rubbed them briskly in his own. With a final tenderness, he draped his worn jacket over the older man's shoulders. "Pop, my name's Jack," he said, "and one of God's angels brought me this meal. I just finished eating and hate to waste good food. Can you help me out?"

Marion writes, "It wasn't easy making my way to the food court with tears blurring my vision, but I soon returned with large containers of coffee and a big assortment of pastries. 'Excuse me, gentlemen, but'..."

Oh God, help us to be your hands of compassion in this wonderful season of the year. Help us not to let any opportunities to go by without doing everything we can to show Your love.