Christmas was
fast approaching
and eight
year-old Roger
felt an immense
joy when he
thought about
the end-of-year
festivities. He
would spend
hours thinking
about what to
ask for
Christmas.
 |
But the
possibilities
were so great,
there were so
many sales in
the stores that
Roger could not
decide. In fact,
he would like to
get all the toys
he saw in the
windows while
Christmas carols
were played.
At home, Roger
asked his
mother:
- Mom, how many
toys will Santa
|
|
bring me
for
Christmas? |
|
His mother
smiled and
answered with
another
question:
- Would you not
be pleased with
one toy, honey?
- Oh, I would,
Mom! But I would
like to get at
least three that
I saw in the
windows!
The mother
looked at the
child and, as
she thought of
those who are
poor and would
receive nothing,
said:
- Honey, Joseph
and Mary, Jesus'
parents, needing
to go to
Bethlehem and
not finding any
accommodation
stayed in a
stable. And on
that very night
Jesus was born
with a manger as
a crib and the
animals of
creation as His
friends.
However, He gave
us the greatest
example of love
through the
lessons He left
us two thousand
years ago, and
it is His
birthday we
celebrate at
Christmas.
Roger, heard his
mother's words
thoughtfully and
replied:
- Mom, but those
were different
times! If Jesus
came into the
world today,
certainly Mary
would go to a
hospital and He
would be born as
any child!
His mother took
a deep breath,
then added:
- Roger, even
nowadays,
despite the
achievements of
society and the
comforts we
enjoy, the
example of Jesus
teaches us that
humility and
love should be
exercised by all
of us, showing
us that we are
not superior to
those who have
nothing. Put
yourself in the
shoes of
children born in
a poor home with
nothing to get
for Christmas,
and who might be
very envious of
the children
that got
beautiful gifts.
How would you
feel?
Roger thought
for a moment and
understanding
his mother's
question said he
would be very
sad, to which
his kind mother
concluded:
|
- Then, honey,
be thankful to
God you were
born in a home
where you have
everything.
The boy, touched
by his mother's
words, went to
his room and
started thinking
about it.
The next day,
after much
thought, Roger
woke up with
another
disposition.
He sat down at
the table to
have breakfast,
had the glass of
chocolate milk
that his mom had
prepared with
love and which
he loved plus
some bread and
butter, and
smiled. He was
hungry! The day
before, he had
gone to
|
 |
|
bed on
an empty
stomach
because
he was
worried
about
the gift
he would
get for
Christmas.
Now,
feeling
hungry
he
thought
of all
the
children
who were
starving
at that
very
moment
and felt
sad. |
- Finish your
breakfast,
honey, so you
can go play with
your friends!
But the pensive
boy replied:
- I cannot, Mom!
I just keeping
thinking about
those children
who have nothing
to eat!
The kind mother
nodded her head
in agreement:
- That's right,
honey. There are
many children
who do not have
what to eat and
take to the
streets to beg.
Therefore,
whenever they
come knocking on
our door, I give
them whatever I
have.
At that moment,
Roger smiled and
his eyes lit up:
- Mom! Could we
have a party for
them and their
families at
Christmas?
- Of course we
could,
sweetheart! It
will be great! -
his Mom said
excitedly.
So mother and
son began making
plans, and
decided that
they would
prepare a lunch,
and would buy
sweets and gifts
for each child
that came.
Happy about the
party they
planned, they
talked to their
neighbours,
friends,
classmates, and
everyone was
pleased with the
opportunity to
collaborate.
Some mothers
would cook
lunch, others
would do the
desserts and
juices, and
others would
bring sweets and
gifts.
 |
They set the
date of the
feast for
Christmas Eve.
Everything was
ready: the
Christmas tree
full of
ornaments, the
coloured lights
lit up, and the
gifts wrapped
and placed under
the tree.
The guests
started to
arrive. They
were shy at
first but soon
became more
animated with
many also
wanting to help.
When everyone
was sat at the
tables, Roger
remembered to
say a prayer.
He stood on a
chair and
calling
everyone's
attention, he
said:
|
- As today we
celebrate the
birth of Jesus,
let's say a
prayer for Him,
thanking Him for
being together
here and with so
many good
things!
And Roger began
to pray: “Dear
friend Jesus, we
thank You for
everybody being
here together
and happy,
celebrating Your
birthday. Bless
us all and our
families, and
everyone in this
city. And may
Your birthday be
better for
everyone every
year, not only
because of the
food, sweets and
gifts, but so
that we remain
friends forever!
And may every
year, the number
of our friends
increase! Thank
you, Jesus!
MERRY CHRISTMAS
to everyone!
"...
Those present
were moved by
Roger's prayer,
and noticing all
the love in his
words, they
realised that
everyone there
had actually
become friends!
And after that
Christmas party,
those who
participated
would never be
the same.
Christmas for
them really
became JESUS'
PARTY!
MEIMEI
(Psychographed
by Celia X. de
Camargo on
30/11/2015.)
