My New Christmas Tradition

There has been more than one Christmas that I almost spent alone. One was in Edmonton, the other in Ottawa.

On both occasions, I dropped in on people around mealtime, hoping they would see the obvious – that I had nowhere to go.

I know how much I appreciated being with people on Christmas Day. I can live without getting any gifts. With seven older brothers and sisters, I have received enough gifts to last me a lifetime. However, I can’t imagine anything lonelier that sitting down to an ordinary meal alone. The love of these friends has touched me deeply.

For several years now, I have had a new Christmas tradition. I go looking for people who may not have anywhere to go.

A few years ago, we had the pleasure of welcoming into our home a Nigerian family, complete with five kids for our festive meal. They had never experienced a Canadian Christmas. They didn’t care for some of what we consider standard for our table, but what they did like they heaped on their plates. The father of the clan refused to put on the paper hat in the Christmas cracker until I reminded him that I was the head of the household and this was our tradition.

After dinner, we played Charades and a Nigerian game with stones. We also watched “It’s a Wonderful Life”.

The kids had so much fun, they invited themselves back, minus their parents, the next year. We had no problem accepting their invitation to invade our home again. The previous year had produced so much love and laughter. We did much of the same as before with a few new wrinkles thrown in. The result was the same.

Since then, I have asked people who I think might be alone what their plans might be. I am happy to say that everybody seems to have a place to go.

However, this year we will be hosting a former student of mine from Harbin, China. I am looking forward to the experience. It is wonderful to look through the Christmas experience through somebody else’s eyes.

When my friends and neighbours provided me with a Christmas dinner in my lonely times, I thought I was receiving something great. I found that when I am able to provide a memorable holiday for somebody else, I also received something wonderful. It is as if the love between the two parties meets in some magical spot and produces something special that is greater than the sum of the two parts.

There are a few days left before Christmas. Why don’t you look for somebody to invite into your home? If you find somebody, you will never regret it.