A couple of years ago my family went to church on Christmas Eve. We were running late and you don't run late on Christmas Eve or you don't get it.
When we arrived at church, it was too full and we would have had to stand outside in the holdover room. My husband and I made a decision to leave.
Our church is located in downtown Colorado Springswhich also happens to have a lot of the city's homeless population.
My husband and I discussed an idea that I had where we could try to teach a lesson in giving to my kids that night. Normally, we give a nice monetary gift to the church on Christmas, but this night we decided to find homeless people in need instead.
We hit the ATM and got an amount that we decided to give.It wasn't hundreds, but it was enough to feel like a sacrifice. We gave each kid a certain amount and gave them the instruction to find someone that looked lonely or in need of some Christmas spirit.
My husband walked with them to hand the money to their chosen recipients- for safety, of course.
The first man that my youngest chose was standing by himself on the corner. He was dirty, very dirty. My youngest walked up to him, handed him the money and said Merry Christmas. This man looked at him in disbelief and shook my son's hand for a full minute while he said thank you.
The second recipient that my other son chose was inside at a Starbucks. It was freezing cold outside and if the homeless buy something, the store owners will let them come inside. This man didn't buy anything, but I suppose the store let him come in because it was Christmas.
My son was afraid to approach this man.When he finally did, he didn't say much. My son put the money on his table and said, "Merry Christmas." The man said thank you and we left.
I know that the money very well may have been used for alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs. I tried not to think about that. My goal was to try to teach my kids a lesson in giving and that you don't have to be in church to receive a blessing.
It was not an exciting Christmas Eve, but it was one that my family will always remember.
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