Merry Christmas Miracle

It was Christmas Eve in my hometown

And the streets were white with snow

A peaceful feeling filled the air

Beneath a lone streetlight's glow



I ambled slowly down a dimly lit street

And breathed in the crisp night air

I greeted the other passers-by

Who also walked with me there



"Merry Christmas!" "Same to you!"

Exchanged throughout my walk

But never once was anyone

Inclined to stop and talk



At midnight I heard church bells

They were chiming "Silent Night"

While Christmas lights lit each house

All along the streets of snowy white



At first I heard him softly

As if from far, far away

Then it swelled and resonated

From down a dark alleyway



A voice as pure as an Angel's

As aged and as sweet as time

Resounding as if from Heaven

Along with the chorus of the chimes



At first I thought it was a radio

The voice so strong and clear

I couldn't believe this voice I heard

Was so beautiful, full of Christmas cheer



Then I saw him in the dark

A very tall and slender frame

Poised with peaceful reverence

He finished the song, this man with no name



He saw me standing...staring

So he stepped into the light

His clothes were torn and dirty

Yet his smile was full and bright



The man said "my name is Joseph

Would you like a piece of my bread?”

“It’s all I have to offer you tonight”

This man named Joseph said



He reached inside his tattered coat

Pulled out a wrinkled paper sack

And after taking out a slice

He smiled shyly and then put it back



I said “thank you sir, but I can’t take that

You must need that bread to live”

Joseph said “ you need not worry son

All I have, I will gladly give”



“Just the same, please keep it sir

I ate just a short while ago”

Joseph replied “Okay then mister”

And sat down on a blanket of snow



He took a healthy bite of his bread

Looked up and smiled at me

His manner far more cheerful

Than his circumstances could possibly be



I asked him “Do you live here

In this dirty, dark alleyway?”

He smiled again and nodded

“I do sir, at least for today”



I looked at him without pity and said

“There’s a shelter on the other end of town

I’ll try to help you find it

If you don’t know your way around”



Joseph nodded knowingly

Took another bite of bread

And I knew just what was coming

When I saw him nod his head



Joseph told me he had been there

Earlier that Christmas Eve day

They gave him a Christmas meal

Then sent him along the way



I shook my head a grimaced

I couldn’t believe my ears

How could they send this homeless man

Into the dark, cold night out here



I looked down at Joseph

He was beaming at me still

Determined that his circumstance

Would never degrade his will



He told me “please don’t worry sir

I’ve survived out here for years

I don’t want any sympathy

I don’t want any tears”



I pulled my hand out of my glove

I offered it to him

Joseph reached up to shake it

And smiled at me again



I said “I have some extra room

At my apartment on the floor

It’s really sort of comfortable

I’ve slept on it before”



“I’ll throw a couple blankets down

To make a warm and comfy bed

I’ve also got some pillows

On which to lay your head”



Joseph didn’t answer me

But tears came to his eyes

I could tell he never expected

Such a generous, thoughtful surprise



He said “you shouldn’t feel like this

Is something that you must do

It’s really quite a risk sir

Taking a stranger back home with you”’



I smiled right back at Joseph

Like he smiled at me before

I said “my name is Kevin sir…

…And we’re not strangers anymore”



Then I helped Joseph to his feet

We walked back to my place

And I knew I’d done a very nice thing

Just by the look on Joseph’s face



When we arrived I showed him in

Then offered him some warm food

Joseph kindly turned me down

Exactly as I knew he would



I told Joseph, “Joseph help yourself

Make this your home tonight

Please don’t be shy…I promise you

Everything is going to be alright”



Joseph looked right through me

I felt a peace I’d never known

He said “God bless you Kevin

For the kindness you have shown”



“Sometimes the world gets crazy

And it’s people crazy too

I believe what we really need

Are more good souls like you”



With that he smiled and said “goodnight”

Laid down on his makeshift bed

I fell asleep Christmas Eve night

Thinking about the words my friend Joseph said



When morning came I awoke

Slipped out my bedroom door

Went to wake Joseph up

From his bed upon my floor



But when I walked into the room

Joseph was nowhere to be found

There was just a note where he slept

Laying neatly on the ground



I felt a horrible sadness

A tear came to my eye

I wished Joseph hadn’t gone

Without saying goodbye



I picked up the note from off the floor

And sat down in a chair

I read the note in disbelief

Because of what was written there



“Thank You Kevin for the gift

You gave to me Christmas Eve night

These days not many people

Have the strength to do what’s right



“I still have hope for mankind

When I meet someone like you

And a treasure awaits in Heaven

For the good things that you do”



My hands began to tremble

As I continued to read the note

My life was changed that moment

By the words that Joseph wrote



“I was born on a day you now celebrate as Christmas

Over two millennium ago

My Father gave me to you

So that all mankind would know”



“That Love for one another

Is a gift without a price

Thank you for your kindness Kevin”

It was signed…



Your Savior…

Jesus Christ



© 2011 Kevin Stock