Christmas Eve Brussels Sprouts

One of my favorite Christmas Songs is “The Christmas Shoes” by NewSong.  This song tells of a little boy who wants to buy shoes for his dying mother for Christmas so she can “look beautiful if [she] meets Jesus tonight.”  When his coins did not cover the full charge, he turned to the man behind him in line who paid the balance.  The bridge of the song says:

I knew I'd caught a glimpse of Heaven's love

As he thanked me and ran out

I knew that God had sent that little boy

To remind me what Christmas is all about

I know a man whose family have all died.  Despite being invited to church member homes for Christmas, he usually spends his Christmas alone.  He is a vegetarian who has several unique medical dietary needs, so he would never eat a traditional holiday meal.  However, he loves Brussels spouts, so that is what we have taken him on Christmas Eve the last two years. 

If I told you I took a holiday meal to a church member, I doubt you would consider a solo vegetable meal as suitable.  Over 2,000 years ago, many did not see a baby born from two peasants from Nazareth to be suitable either.  Jesus did not arrive in luxury, nor did he live a glamorous life.  He lovingly met the needs of those around him.  Sometimes He did big miracles, and sometimes He washed feet.  

The true joy of Christmas is found in the love we share with our family and friends.  Sometimes that means we add a few bucks to another person’s tab so they can buy a special gift for someone else.  And other times, it is found in giving a holiday meal of Brussels sprouts.