My Christmas Eve Tradition
November 4th, 2009
For many years now, while out and about doing my shopping for Christmas gifts, I’ve picked up a few extra items. I pick up an extra blanket, some toasty slippers and a soft warm fleece top. On Christmas Eve after attending the candle light church service, I make a little detour on the way home. I find a retirement home and make a stop. It’s something I look forward to every year even though I am never sure what the evening has in store for me. I stop at the front desk and ask the nurses for one or two residents that don’t have family or never have any visitors.
The look on their faces is always the same as they turn to look at each other. A grin turns to a smile and spreads from ear to ear on their faces. It’s almost as if they’ve rehearsed it, the name of the resident coming out of their mouths in unison. I ask them to take me to meet this resident. They escort me down the hallway as that familiar smell of nursing home disinfectant fills my head. The smells of Christmas, cooking and fresh cut trees, noticeably absent. The sounds of television sets with there volumes turned up extra loud for old frail ears that fail to function are easily heard as I pass by each of the rooms of the elderly residents.
The nurse knocks on the door and walks me in. The rooms are almost always the same. The walls bare and the furniture absent of Christmas Cards, family photos and item’s that line the other resident’s rooms. The puzzled look of someone who hasn’t had a visitor in years fills their face. They strain to hear, eager to find out about this tall stranger bearing gifts. They turn their head trying so hard to hear the voice of the nurse. A sudden eagerness and excitement fills their eyes as tears begin to fill mine. I introduce myself and hand them a package. Their frail fingers make silly attempts to rip the wrapping paper away and reveal the gift. I step over to help. Usually pushed away by someone who has had to do everything for them self for so long. A helping hand is not wanted and considered unnecessary. Stubborn and proud even in this moment of love reaching out to their hearts.
I watch the spectacle unfold. Knowing that look… The joy, the glow and the happiness of someone who is so lonely. A face that has known so little joy in years, suddenly beaming. Every year it’s the same look. Every year I feel my heart pounding. Every year it’s the moment that puts the gift of love that comes from giving in my heart. To me it’s that moment that makes my Christmas so special. After the unwrapping of the gift, it’s time for me to sit and listen. The time to make a new Christmas friend. To hear the stories of their lives. To let them share the moments they have been keeping in their hearts for so long. Wanting so much to share, but not having anyone to listen. The stories they tell. The history that makes them, well them. The stories that I’ve heard over the years. So many fascinating bits and pieces. I take the time to ask a few questions, smile and try to take it all in.
After a little time passes, it’s time to for me to move on. I shake a frail hand, pass along a soft hug and give away the love that God has so generously filled my heart with. As I make my way back out into the cold night, a smile fills my heart with warmth. A heart smile, my favorite. The feeling of my heart being filled by God with more love to be given away yet again. The continuation of my Christmas Eve tradition.
This year I dedicate this story to my Christmas friends of the past. My hope is that you’ll make a new friend this Christmas Eve. That you’ll slow down long enough to take an hour on Christmas eve to visit someone who is anxiously awaiting your arrival… Yet has no idea that you’re coming. Have a Very Merry Christmas as you spread God’s love this year.
God Bless You and your family!
Tim
Copyright ©2008 Tim Levin
