A few years ago, on Christmas Eve, I was fortunate enough to take part, in a ‘soup-run’ to the homeless around our town. It consisted of loading food and gifts, soups and sandwiches, and assorted drinks into a van and at 10.30pm driving to five different locations around the city where ‘homeless people’ gather. There were six of us engaged in this work on this particular night; some of us were hardy annuals while two, including myself, were having our first experience.

Already, at our first stop, there were about 30-40 people waiting patiently and welcomingly for us. We called later at three other places where the numbers were smaller but the sight was equally welcoming and challenging. They were men and women, young as well as old. Some wanted to stand around and talk as they munched , others shuffled off in silence carrying their goodies –grateful for our support. Their eyes revealed a deeper pain, loss, and regret

We finished our work on Christmas morning about 4.15a.m. I had been surprised by many small moments of relief I experienced during the course of that night. Above all else I was deeply impressed by the kindness, humour, consideration and respect shown by our young team who had given up their night before Christmas to do this act of charity. I was humbled by the gentleness and openness of our recipients. When I finally got to my warm comfortable home, I cried for the rawness of the experience. I thought of Jesus crying over the city and people of Jerusalem in Luke 19:14f

Come Lord Jesus Now
…Adapted from A. P. Castle, Coming up to Christmas

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To one and to all
have a blessed Christmas

– Editor