A STORY

In one Western public school the sixth graders were told that in many other lands the religious expression of Christmas was its most important element, and gift-giving a minor and more often a separate part of the celebration, generally held on St. Nicholas Day. Since these lively youngsters had always been under the impression that gifts were the ultimate expression of Christmas, they were understandably surprised, and asked: “How then should we celebrate the holiday?” Their teacher asked them all to find the answer in the Bible: One boy wrote out this answer: “I was hungry and you gave

me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink … whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me …” (Matthew 25:35-40) That was a good beginning, the teacher told them, and suggested that they find the least of their brethren in their own town. They did, and began to collect their Christmas Fund in a big, empty jar. On Christmas Day there was enough in the jar for Christmas dinners and gifts for two families. And the children themselves took their gifts to both families. On the way back one of the teachers saw a little girl tightly

clutching the empty mayonnaise jar that had held the Christmas fund. “I’m going to put it under my tree at home,” the little girl explained all aglow, “to remind me of the loveliest Christmas I’ve ever had.” Let such a Christ-like Christmas happen to you. You’ll like it better than any Christmas you ever had. (guideposts.org)