A Special Christmas Card

During the holiday season, I was blessed with so many wonderful gifts and cards that brought a smile to my face and a feeling of being loved and appreciated. One card that I received was extra special to me. Every day, my husband and I ride the U1 back and forth from home to school. Each afternoon, there is a man selling the Augustin magazine at the exit to our station. We have never purchased one, but when we moved to our new apartment back in March, we started greeting him each time we would pass by. Eventually, he started greeting us, as well. Well, one day during the week before Christmas break, he saw me coming down the long staircase, mask and all. How he could pick me out in a crowd, I’ll never know. (My husband wasn’t with me that day.) He came right over to me and handed me a Christmas card. There was no name on it, as we had never exchanged names. In it, he had written in English: Name (his name) and Merry Chrismas. (spelled just he had written it).

This small interchange was just another confirmation that it is the little actions that we do or the words that we say that make a big difference. He really had appreciated the smile and wave that I give him each afternoon! They cost me nothing – not even any extra time. Just an acknowledgement that I see him and that he deserves my respect and greeting. I pray that I will be open to the Holy Spirit’s leading even more this year. I’m sure there are so many others that I ignored that I should have greeted or shared from the abundance of my blessings.

Remember my Homeless Jesus article? The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25) My prayer for 2021 is that we will never forget.

Because of His Faithfulness,

Dr. Sharon C. Brobst, Director