broken at Christmas

After helping serve breakfast, I sat down with 4 men this morning at a homeless shelter in St. Charles, Illinois. I simply asked this question: “Hey guys, I am starting my 5th year as the Chaplain for the Chicago RUSH football team, and I’m looking for stories of how God has changed your life … anyone care to speak up ?”

One man got up immediately and walked away. One man kept his head down and remained indifferent as he ate his oatmeal in silence. But the other two men jumped all over this opportunity.

This one 40 year old man in particular told me his sad story. He said he doesn’t care for Christmas or God this year because his entire family has disowned him. They are embarrassed and even ashamed of him … and prefer that he not contact them in any way.
As I looked into his face and listened to his words, I prayed that the Lord would give me something to say in response. … here it is:

Jesus invited 12 of His buddies to supper one night and revealed that the time was coming when all of them would disown Him. But they all swore their allegiance and promised to remain faithful. Yet within a few hours Jesus was arrested and everyone of His followers deserted him and fled. (Matthew 26:31-56) I told this homeless man that Jesus knows what it’s like to be alone.

He was alone when He was beaten … He was alone when He was slapped and punched and spat upon … He was alone when His flesh was ripped with a whip … He was a lone when the crown of thorns were pressed into His scalp … and He was alone when he was nailed to a cross … and He was alone when He took His last breath.

For me this may be the greatest part of the Christmas story … that God could love me so much … even in my worst condition … that He would send His Son to die for my sin. And, if that were not enough, Jesus invites me to be in His family forever. A family that He will never leave.

Merry Christmas