Pastor Paul’s Passages by Paul Ragel

by PAUL RAGLE

A Christmas Story by JENNIFER L. BETTS abbreviated

Pulling on her tattered coat, Christine sighed; she was thinking about Christmas gifts her younger siblings hoped to open on Christmas morning. But baby Willy had been sick and it had taken all the family’s resources and more to pay the medical bills. Mother hung on to a few dollars just to buy groceries. Full bellies are better than new sneakers little sister Letty wanted for gym class.

A gust of cold wind sent Christine’s grocery list sailing from her hands. It floated into the town nativity scene, landing on baby Jesus’ manger. Grabbing the list, Christine smiled at the sweet baby Jesus and said a brief prayer. As she turned to leave, a lady got up from a bench just outside the nativity. Christine saw something drop from the woman’s purse as she walked away.

Christine needed to get going, but rushed over to pick up what the woman had dropped. She gasped, realizing that what had fallen from the lady’s purse was money! Two folded hundred-dollar bills! How much could her family use this money right now!

With shaking hands, she picked up the money – almost stuffing it into her pocket. But that wouldn’t be right. She called out to the woman, “Ma’am,” she shouted, running towards her. “You dropped this!”

The lady turned and Christine handed her the money, swallowing a lump in her throat. “You dropped this,” Christine said.

“Thank you, dear,” the woman answered. Her voice was warm, just like Christine’s Gram, who had passed away a few months before.

Christine turned to leave when the lady asked, “What’s your name, dear?”

Christine smiled, “Christine Darling, Ma’am.”

The woman had warm but sad eyes, and she returned the smile. “This will sound like an odd request, Christine, but would you mind chatting for a bit? We can sit on the bench.”

They sat down together. The lady, whose name was Martha, was so like Christine’s Gram. Martha told Christine of the devastating loss of her daughter and how much Christine reminded her of her daughter. Minutes melted into a couple of hours as they shared about their families.

“Your family will be missing you, Christine,” Martha smiled.

“Yes, you’re right!” Christine responded, giving Martha a little hug. “But I have to tell you something. I should apologize to you. I almost decided to keep the money you dropped, but I’m very glad I didn’t. I wouldn’t have met you otherwise,” Martha felt glad as well. Christine invited Martha to join her family the next day for Christmas dinner, “If you’re going to be alone on Christmas, you’re more than welcome to spend Christmas Day with our family. There’ll be plenty of food.”

“If I come, should I bring something?” Martha asked. Christine shook her head, smiled and they parted ways. Stopping again at the nativity scene, Christine said a prayer of thanks for meeting Martha and asked again for some way to get Letty her shoes for gym.

The next morning – CHRISTMAS – Letty jumped in the middle of Christine’s bed squealing, “PRESENTS!!!” Rushing downstairs, Christine couldn’t believe the pile of wrapped gifts! Letty tore open a gift with her name on it and ran to show Christine. A pair of new white sneakers!

Christine’s mother, tears flowing, opened the front door to reveal Martha. Pulling Christine into a hug Martha said, “You were an answer to prayer for me yesterday. The gift of your shining eyes and smile made me feel as though I was speaking to my daughter. Merry Christmas, my dear.” n