It is Christmas morning.  Christmas music is playing in our house, and I am preparing a special breakfast; corned beef hash, instant shredded potatoes, and fried eggs.  We had saved the corned beef hash and instant shredded potatoes for a special day, and Christmas certainly qualifies.

Outside, I hear a street vendor coming by.  He is selling lemons and oranges, which are both in great abundance, as there are many fruit trees in this country and there is always an abundant harvest.

There is something different about him.  He hesitates in front of a house across the street for at least 30 seconds, announcing what he has to sell.  And then, I heard an internal voice saying he is calling for you.

By the time I had gotten some money together and gone to the street, he was about a half a block away, but quickly returned when I called out to him.  How much? I asked.  25 Córdoba for 12 oranges.  That is about 80 cents. I bought 2 dozen and tipped him with an additional 40 Córdoba.  He went to hand the 40 back, but, I told him it was for him.  The look on his face was like I had given him $100, but it was only a few cents over a dollar. 

By this point, I was in tears.  Relatively, we live in an affluent part of town.  Almost everyone in our neighborhood would have been up late to watch the fireworks going off all over town.  Some had parties and were sleeping in as it was only 8 a.m. on Christmas morning.  Our neighbors and us do not go without.

Here I had been preparing this special breakfast for Natalie and me, when I hear him in front of our house. All I could think about, was here on Christmas morning this young man was trying to sell something that is extremely plentiful at this time of year so that he could feed his family.  The thought hit me so hard that I had to act.

We are continually confronted with extreme poverty, however, at that moment the contrast between us and our neighbors with plenty and this young man out trying so hard to make some money for his family was all I could see.

Then a second thought hit me.  This was one young man living in poverty amidst many. Just one soul, and that formed the question; what is one soul worth to Christ? 

We know the parable of how He left the 99 to seek out the one lost sheep.  But, what would we do to save one soul?  What would I do to save just one soul?  What would I give to save just one soul for eternity? Would I give everything for one soul?

Is this not the true message of Christmas?  Souls can be saved from eternal judgement.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11

I wish this thought for you, this Christmas,

For His glory,

Stephen Goff
Stephen.Goff@N-Response2.com
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