For the past decade, I have always conducted a candlelight Christmas Eve service at the church.   This services were  usually filled with church members and their families.  Christmas carols were sung and the account of Jesus’ birth was told.

This year the Lord led me in a different direction.  During our first visit to South Bluff Park, I saw so many who had no family to call their own; no place that they could truly call home; no one who took an interest in their life.  Mike and I talked, both feeling that we should be in the park once again on Christmas Eve, bringing the tangible love of Christ through the body of Christ.

This afternoon we fired up two barbecue pits in the center of the park and commenced to cooking 64 hamburgers and 56 hot dogs.   Over a two hour period we fed men, women and children, even making deliveries to a few nearby shut-ins.  Some of those we fed had not eaten yet today and possibly even yesterday.   For those who have been hidden from the light of Christ’s love, there is a magnetic quality to their encounters with His presence.  Mike and I see that we are beginning to earn the trust of those around the neighborhood and we believe it is only a matter of time before we are allowed to begin quenching the spiritual hunger as well.

Tonight about 10:15, my phone rang.  It was one of the men I had ministered to last Thursday.  He was not able to get lodging at one of the shelters, because he didn’t have any identification.  He had arranged to stay with a co-worker in Flour Bluff, but needed a ride there.   I was the only person he could think of and he still had my business card.   As he and I drove, the evidence of God’s love for him was evident.  He had already found new work and had been able to work three days this week.   He asked if after he got back on his feet, he could hitch a ride with me to church…I told him that he didn’t even need to be back on his feet for that to happen.

As I left him at his co-worker’s home, I found myself overcome by two deep seated emotions.   One was sadness.  It saddens me in a nation of opportunity, that so many are in such bondage.  Make no mistake, many are there because of their own decisions.; yet, I know that Jesus came to seek and save those who are lost.   I grieved tonight to see so many without hope, without life, without the fullness of Christ.   On the other hand, I was equally moved by joy and gratefulness.   As I cooked hamburgers and hot dogs today, I was surrounded by my wife and children.  I was joined by Mike, Kim and their daughter Brooke.   I knew I would leave the park and return to a familiar place of residence, sleep in my own bed, eat when I was hungry and spend the evening laughing as I relished the company of those I am closest to.

Tomorrow we will be opening our home to the young man I took fishing last week.  Tonight we made his stocking (and Elishba’s too) and wrapped his presents.   For him this will be his first ever family celebration of Christmas.  He grew up not knowing the love, support and joy of family.   I hope that what he will truly see is the family of God in all of its fullness.

I hope you have a Christ filled Christmas.