The Best Christmas Story yet

My friend Leslie sent me this beautiful, beautiful story. It was the crowning of my Christmas day and so I share it with you:

"I wanted to share the homily that our Deacon told last night at church.
I know not everyone is a full believer in all the Christmas story, but
the message was so lovely that I am hoping you will enjoy it anyway. I
cannot say it nearly as eloquently as Deacon Reuben did it, but I hope I
can do it justice.

He started off by asking us to think of the Nativity story, and to ask
us who, of all the people who were there, we would like to be. He let us
think about it for a moment before announcing that he would like to be
the innkeeper.

We all sat there puzzled for a moment as to why he would want to be the
innkeeper. Wasn't this the person who put Mary in a stable? A woman 9
months pregnant, who was carrying the Son of God? Didn't he recognize
how special this was?

He pointed out that there was no reason the innkeeper should have known
that Mary or her son were special. Almost no-one knew at that time. And,
truly, the inn was completely full up. The Bible is pretty clear about
that. The innkeeper had no obligation to find anything for these
complete strangers. However, because he was clearly an innkeeper who
took his responsibilities for hospitality seriously, he found a place
for them to stay. Yes, it was in the stable, but it was a much better
place than still wandering the streets. Our deacon added that he always
figured that since the innkeeper went out of his way to find Mary and
Joseph a place to stay that he probably laid down new straw, gave them a
warm meal and sent out some extra blankets. And because he did his best
with two complete strangers, the baby Jesus was born someplace safe and
protected, instead of out wandering the streets of Bethlehem. Even
though he didn't realize that something special was happening, because
he took his responsibilities seriously and did them with kindness, the
innkeeper made it possible for that special thing to happen.

And it made me realize that I don't need to worry about recognizing if
something special is happening. What I need to do is to use my gifts
well and responsibly and with kindness. God will take care of it if He
wants something special to happen." (Thanks, Leslie!)


WE are always prepared to do special things for special events - when we are forewarned, but this beautiful story shows how important is it for us to live in our grateness even when we don't know what is going to happen - that would be most of the time. Our only obligation is to do what we do well; to be who we are, to live our highest destiny, in our highest possible capacity as humans.

If we are doing this at all times, we are automaticaly prepared to be a part of the greatness around us, greatness that stems out of seemingly insignificant incidences, but which can change the world forever.

Don't wait for special occasions to be who you are, to be great at what you do, to give fully of yourself. It's an everyday job, that one; it's your responsibility to live up to it in each moment.

Merry Christmas!

Blessings.
- Darshan

© 2008 Darshan F Jessop