Luke 2:1-20

As a child, we always went to my Uncle Bob’s house on Christmas Eve for dinner and to exchange gifts. Since I was the only child in our entire family, it was usually pretty boring for me. But my Aunt Shirley used to make a crab dip that I was quite fond of and you could usually find me sitting by the bowl of chips and dip. So, while at my uncles, we had a meal and exchanged gifts and had a nice time.

I was just at the age where I was questioning whether or not there was a Santa Claus. I was also just at the age where I desperately wanted a bicycle, but since I came from a single parent household; I was fairly certain that wasn’t going to happen. I didn’t notice that my other aunt and uncle had left the party early and were nowhere in sight when it came time to go home.

Imagine my surprise to find our Christmas tree lit and a shiny new bike under the tree when my mother and I got back to our little apartment!! I was so excited and my mother had tears in her eyes because she also did not know that my Aunt Jackie and Uncle Tony had purchased it and had snuck out of the party to hurry to our house and have it there when we got home. That was a double gift for me, since I did get my bicycle, but I also believed in Santa even more.

~ Rose Flynn

Prayer

Dear God, on this wondrous night children are so excited about Santa’s visit and the gifts they’ll receive. Even more importantly we remember the Christ child was born this night. As surely as Santa’s gifts will bring happiness to children, so You have brought joy to our hearts. Jesus is Your great gift of love to the world. Help us to communicate and share Your love each and every day of life that You give us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.