Another Christmas has finally arrived, where plenty of warm homes will see children delightfully ripping open presents with excitement and glee. Just as much as I’m sure there will be many others where only grown-ups will be exchanging presents with each other as well. Soon bellies will also be full for both the young and the old from those large holiday meals.
But what about those on this day who have no place to call home and are out there roaming the streets?
And what about those that have a home but with no food to put on their table today?
And what about those that had no money to buy their children or loved ones any gifts to open today?
And what about those that have nobody to spend today with at all?
It’s so easy to forget about anyone who is less fortunate than ourselves while soaking up all that we have on days like today. I personally remember a very lonely December 25th spent in a Chinese restaurant, ultimately friendless and present-less. I’m grateful I’m not in that place in life anymore, given I have a partner that I love dearly who I’ll be spending this day with, as well as with many others in recovery I’ll be seeing at various Christmas parties I attend. But my heart is still saddened for all those on this day who may not have anyone or anything at all to look forward to. Thus, I feel led to write a prayer today for all those who may be less fortunate than myself, which I truly hope will inspire you to send out your own prayers for them as well…
“Dear God, I pray for all of those out there today that may be homeless. May you guide each of them to places where they are embraced and kept warm. I pray for all of those today that may not have a single gift to open as well. May you provide each of them the best gift of all, which is an abundance of your unconditional love. I pray for all of those today too that may not have any food whatsoever to put on their table. May you lead each of them to places that will give them a bountiful and delicious meal for free. And lastly, I pray for all of those today that are lonely and have no one to spend it with at all. May you bring each of them some loving companionship, as I don’t believe you would want any of your children to be alone on this special day. Please bless us all God and help us to be grateful for what we have today and not what we don’t, and please bless those who may be less fortunate than ourselves, as they too deserve everything each of us have in life as well. I’m truly grateful for my own life God and for what I’ve been given. Thank You for everything and Merry Christmas! Amen.”
Peace, love, light, and joy,
Andrew Arthur Dawson
One of my previous sponsors told me, “Your every action is a prayer.” So I’ve stopped praying-on-my-knees for hungry or homeless people. The only prayer I’ve found that is worth a damn is the one that gets my feet down to the shelter; the one that gets me giving money or time to the local food pantry or homeless kitchen. A good quote quote I remember is, “Some people are so far down that the only way they see God is in a crust of bread.” But it was Keith Green’s song that convicted me on this – the lyrics, in part, are this:
He brings people to your door, and you turn them away
As you smile at them and say, “God bless you, be at peace”
And all heaven just weeps…
‘Cause Jesus came to your door – you’ve left him out on the streets.
I know not everyone can do this. But I can. The money I used to spend on Christmas presents? That’s where it goes.