I grew up in Maine, in a small French Canadian town in southern Maine.  December was the first and last highlight of every school year. Christmas pageants, songs, crafts, stories, candy, secret Santas, and one gift for your guardian Angel. (I always liked my guardian Angel and left her room on my seat next to me) I think she liked me too, even though I can be a brat sometimes.

The best highlight of December was Advent and the creche. Once a week we would add a new statue to the crêcheand it added to the anticipation of Christmas and the birth of Jesus. I was especially happy because the climax of the Advent was always the special person that was chosen to place the baby Jesus in the next to Mary and Joseph. You had to be especially good
and kind and do a good deed for a stranger. But most of all, you
were not to ask for thanks but do the good deed anonymously.

I tried to think of a good deed. Opening the door for someone in church? I did not see many strangers because I kind of lived in a sheltered environment with my family and the kids at school, but that didn't stop me from looking. I called my Mother after
school before she would drive to get me and told her I was walking home that day.

I thought a moment if I should tell Sister that I am going to try to do a good deed, but that would be kind of silly because I didn't do it yet. So, I just put on my hat and coat and mittens and started to walk home.

I walk past the candy store and resisted the temptation to go inside. The street light was up ahead and there was a young mother with two children about to cross the street. One of the children rushed ahead and walked into the street. The mother's arms were full of packages and she was frantic. I took the child's hand and pulled her back, as I looked up at the mother.

"Thank you little girl",she said.

I just smiled and we all crossed the street together. I walked all the way home quickly. I kept that secret to myself until the next day.

I could hardly wait to tell Sister what I had done.

"Sister, I did a good deed after school yesterday. I know I am surely going to be the one to carry the baby Jesus to the creche."

"What did you do?", Sister asked.

"Well, at the stop light, there was a mother with two little children and one of them tried to rush into the street and I stopped one of them just in time."

"You did a wonderful deed, and may I ask you did the Mother say "Thank you"?"

"Yes, she did."

"And what did you say?", Sister asked.

"I just smiled and walked home."

"And what do you expect me to do about this?"

"I expect to get the chance to place the baby Jesus in the crêche for Advent!"

"You seem to expect alot. I wonder if you would have helped that child if you were not getting this chance?" Would you?", she asked me.

I thought about it. I fell silent.

"There is my answer."

"No, young child, I will not choose you. For the simple reason that you did this good deed to get something from me. I know this sounds harsh and you are young, but you must learn to do good just for the sake of doing good. That is the Advent lesson
for this season. Learn it well my child. "

I was so disappointed when after a week Sister had not chosen me and I was certain I was so good and helpful. I tried to hard and I was proud. My pride kept me from what I wanted most thatAdvent season. It hurt to watch Helen place the baby Jesus inside the  crêche instead of me. I was too young to fully understand the meaning of selflessness versus pride. The prize made me really think about  the true meaning of Christmas.

Not expecting praise for good deeds but doing them just from your heart and to help humanity.

Merry Christmas