By Kathy Lynn

I had Jack pull the limo over and got out. I needed to walk and think. I told him to go home and that I would be ok. It was around 11pm, and it was snowing very heavy but I was so unhappy and sad I really didn’t care.

Christmas time again. I had so much to be thankful for and yet I was not a happy man. I had no real family and nobody that I could really call a good friend.  Oh! I have a lot of acquaintances, but not any that I would call a friend.

A friend is someone that you can talk to and tell all without being  judged and someone that isn’t there just to see what you can do or give to them. Someone that you can laugh and cry with and know that they will always be there for you.

Maybe it is because of my wealth that I don’t trust people. I have been used so much that I

don’t trust anyone anymore. I know it is sad to think that way, but after you have been used and abused by so many, you can’t help but put your defenses up.

Boy! It is so cold and with the blowing snow  I should have just stayed in the limo and gone on home. But going home on Christmas Eve to an empty house just wasn’t appealing now. Man! It is so cold! I am going to have to find someplace to warm up, I am freezing out here even with my heavy coat and collar up and hat.

Out of the corner of my eye I see something moving like a shadow in the dim light. I look more closely and notice that it is a small child. A little girl that couldn’t be more than 6-7 years old. She is slowly climbing up a snow bank across the street and I wonder what she is doing out alone so late.

I felt compelled to follow this child to make sure she was ok.  Why was she all alone and out at night in this cold weather? I suddenly felt very concerned about her safety and warmth.

I watched her carefully as she walked down the street. She didn’t speak or look at anyone. She kept close to the buildings as if she didn’t want to be noticed.

Suddenly she stopped and looked up and as she did so did I . There was a huge steeple on a beautiful old church. This child showed no fear at being here all by herself. She climbed the steps and entered the church.

I followed her, don’t ask me why, because I couldn’t tell you. I felt I had to make sure that she was ok. I saw her sit down in a pew way in the back of the church. In the dim light I noticed that she had on an old tattered coat with no buttons and a scarf that was very worn. Her gloves were tattered and a couple of the fingers had holes in them. She quietly took off her coat and laid it on the bench and I noticed that her pretty little face was dirty and scratched. She kneeled down, bent her head and clasped her mitten hands together. She then made the Sign of the Cross and closed her eyes to pray.

I sat down in the pew behind her and listened to this small child as she whispered words of love to Jesus.

The church filled to full capacity and this small child listened to every word and sang every song with all of her heart. I had forgotten all about this special night that I had celebrated with my family as I grew up. The birth of Jesus. On my way up the ladder of success all these teachings were put in the back of my mind. I never had the time for worship and going to church. There was always some reason or other why I couldn’t go or why I couldn’t volunteer to help out at my church. All these thoughts ran through my mind as I watched this small angel who looked like she had nothing in this world sing and pray with her whole heart. She seemed so alone but you could see in her face a light that shone for her love of Jesus.

They were passing the basket around for the token of love and she put in the nickel that she had been holding unto so tightly in her tattered glove. That small child gave up her

last nickel with out a single thought for the babe that was born this holy night.

I felt ashamed as I sat there with the fifty dollar bill in my hand and I thought to myself, which gift would Jesus love the best? Hers or mine?

As I watched her I felt a beautiful peace enter my heart and mind. I could feel my tears filling my eyes and sliding down my cheeks. Here was a child that knew what Christmas truly was about. She didn’t have much but what she had she freely gave without a thought to the baby Jesus for his birthday. She had more love in her than I had seen in anyone for years. Her love was a true and deep one.

As she walked out of the church, I followed her down the steps and approached her slowly. I had to meet her. I had to know why she could be so happy when she looked so poor.

I asked her, “Why do you give your heart when you have so little?” “You gave your last

nickel for that token didn’t you?”

She looked at me with those eyes so innocent and so true and answered.”I had to give Jesus a present today, for it is his birthday, don’t you see?” “I wouldn’t miss his birthday for anything.” “I snuck out of the home just so that I could be here and celebrate this special day with Jesus.” “I have to hurry back now before they notice I am gone and I will be in big trouble.”

At that moment I fell in love with that young girl. I felt as if a weight had been lifted off my chest and my heart and soul were filled with light.  I took her into my arms and held her tightly and hugged her.

I have since become this angels dad and every day is full of happiness and joy.  This young innocent child has given me back my life. She is full of unconditional love. God blessed me that lonely Christmas Eve by giving me her as a token of his love.

The end