In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Our two lit candles represent HOPE and PEACE.                                                                       

Today’s story from Chicken Soup for the Soul, is called, A Baby’s Hug. 

One night my husband and I went out for supper with our one-year-old son. I sat baby Erik in a highchair and suddenly, he got very excited and said 'Hi.' He pounded his chubby baby hands on the highchair tray. He wiggled and giggled with joy and was so cute when he smiled.

I looked around and saw the source of his excitement. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper half open, and his toes poked out of his shoes. His shirt was dirty, and his hair was a mess. 

We were too far away from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled badly. His hands waved in the air, and he was starring at my baby boy. 'Hi there, baby; hi there, big boy. I see you, buddy,' the man said to baby Erik.

My husband and I exchanged looks, ‘What do we do?’ Baby Erik continued to laugh and wave back.

Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old man was creating a scene with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, 'Do you know patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek- a-boo!'

Nobody thought the old man was cute. 

My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for baby Erik, who was absolutely in awe of this stranger who was giving him all this attention.

We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man was sitting right beside the door. 

I thought to myself, 'Lord, just get me out of here before he speaks to me or baby Erik.” As I got closer to the old man, I turned my back trying to avoid any eye contact with him. As I did, baby Erik stretched out his arms towards the old man.

Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby began to bond right before my eyes. Baby Erik in an act of total trust and love, laid his tiny head upon the man's ragged shoulder. The man's eyes closed, and I saw tears run down his cheek. His aged hands cradled my baby's bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time.

I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and then he looked at me and said in a firm commanding voice, 'You take care of this baby.'

Somehow, I managed, 'I will,' from a throat that could barely speak.

He lovingly gave baby Erik a hug and then put him ever so gently into my arms. Then the man said, 'God bless you, ma'am, you've given me my Christmas gift.'

I smiled at the man but was lost for words. With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, 'My God, my God, forgive me.'

I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw only dirty clothes. 

I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking, 'Are you willing to share your son for a moment?' when He shared His Son for all eternity.                                                            

How did God feel when he put his baby in our arms over 2000 years ago?

This ragged old man, had reminded me of the words Jesus spoke, 'To enter the Kingdom of Heaven, we must become like little children.'

Let us pray:  Help us Lord, to be like Jesus. To treat others with the same love and respect that Jesus showed to all he met. Thank you, God, for sending us Your Son, the Prince of Peace.                                   

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN