Alternative Health and Healing

The small miracles of Christmas

I was browsing my hometown's website and I came upon this hearthwarming celebration of Christmas. A group of mentally and phisically challenged people played a Christmas story to a church group. It was short, and not very well choreographed, but it sent a powerful message. In the story, Mr Panov, an old shoemaker dreamed that Jesuswill visit him on Christmas day. He wanted to give him a present, and he made him a pair of beautiful shoes. He was waiting excitedly on Christmas morning, but he was afraid that he won't recognise Jesus when he arrived. He ran to the door every time he heard someone walking by. Early morning, he saw a man sweeping the side walks, it was very cold, so Mr Panov invited him in for some hot tea. Later, he offered food to homeless people, and when he saw a poor child walking in the snow wearing only slippers, his heart went out for him, and he gave him the shoes he made for Jesus. The night came and Mr Panov was very dissapointed. Jesus didn't come to visit him. He fell asleep,and he saw all those people in his dream which he helped that day.And he heard the voice of Jesus.

„ I was hungry, you fed me. I was thirsty you gave me a drink. I was cold and lonely, you took me in and you gave me warm shoes. When you helped those in need, you did that to me.”

I was clicking on the pictures, and I saw love, acceptance and joy onpeople's faces in the audience. It was the small miracle of Christmas. I didn't see pity which I usually see on people's faces when it comes to mentally of phisically challenged people. The audience was deeply moved by not only the story. They seemed to reflect and think about the goodness in us which we hide under our daily mask of pretending to be good, understanding and giving. A few tears were shed, I wonder if those who wiped their eyes were thinking about forgotten loved ones, or a friend who layed in the hospital bed alone, and they just couldn't find the time to visit. Maybe, they were thinking about the dirty looking drug addict on the street, who was holding a cup for some spare change. They might have felt pity for him, but didn't give that dime thinking that he needed the money for drugs. Now they wondered if he was hungry. Perhaps they were thinking about the sily fight over nothing they had twenty years ago with their brother or sister, and they haven't spoken to each other ever since. Or, they might have thought about the poor dog they kicked in anger, who was just too eager to show his love for them.Maybe the cat who they forgot to feed in a hurry to get to work.Perhaps a child who needed love and comfort, but was pushed away because things had to be done instead.

Christmas is celebrated as the day of the Birth of Christ into this world, yet it also symbolizes a very deeply significant truth of our spiritual life. Jesus Christ was born at a time of ignorance, superstition,greed, hatred and hypocrisy . Purity was forgotten and morality was neglected. His teachings remind us that there is good and pure in people. We can love and be compassionate, we can accept and love people who are different, we can forgive the ones who hurt us. We can help others in need, and we can be grateful for what we have. I wish that we could live like it was Christmas, every day.

May the miracle of Christmas fill your heart with warmth and love.Christmas is the time of giving and sharing. It is the time of loving and forgiving.

Merry Christmas to Everyone!