As I shopped through the mall seeking just the right gifts,
There was so much to choose from – I became rather miffed.
Every shop has its window filled up to the brim,
With fun toys, crudely puppies, perfume, a home gym.
Little trinkets for grandma, a clapper for dad.
A Ginzu knife sampler, Esprit’s latest fad,
There’s no shortage of secrets at Victoria’s place,
A yummy bread maker to brighten Mom’s face.
And I knew that at crown’s I would find a good book.
That would fit rather nicely in sister’s book nook
I bought basketballs, softballs, and rackets galore.
Little frames set for pictures, and still there was more.
As I purchased each item, ands wrapped it up neat.
I knew I was closer to resting my feet,
I walked onward, upward, leftward and right
‘Til the afternoon hours crept into the night,
Then I paused, took assessment of all that I’d bought,
And labeled each gift, “should have” or “should not”.
It was lucky for me the should haves clearly won,
And I let out a sigh, Christmas was done.
In less than house I had all that I’d sought
My arms ached with pain, and my back in a knot.
Yet for every wrapped present I’d placed ‘neath the tree.
I knew other were shopping for presents for me.
As I prepared to go home, my eyes caught a sight,
That put in perspective my chores of the night,
I saw a young boy, not much older than me,
Holding up a small sign that read “please, please help me.”
As my eyes left his sign, and looked up at his face,
I saw someone who looked very much out of place,
I sensed that he knew of the toys that were there
But of toys and of clothing, he didn’t have a care.
The bag that he carried was soiled and stained.
And a shell of a jacket was all that remained
He looked skinny by nature, but his frame was too slight.
For a three year old boy on that cold winter’s night.
As he lay down his sign, ran his palm through this hair,
Busy shoppers passed by trying hard not to stare.
Then he tucked is torn shirt into his pants that were green,
Took a sleeve to his nose, and he wiped it off clean,
I had no way of knowing how long he’d been there,
But I bet it was day by his matted brown hair,
As he turned to resume to his place once again,
He reached out for his sign, but instead, touched a man,
And next to that mans stood a three year old boy,
A hot burger in one hand, the other a toy,
With a round hand straining hard at the weight
He offered the food, then the toy to his mate,
At first he looked startled, but slowly he’d see,
That the gift bearing boy brought not one toy, but three.
There was no recognition; these were not trusted friends,
Yet the look in his eyes spoke of love without end,
They conversed for a moment, while I stood on my place.
As they said their goodbyes, tears rushed down my warm face,
Then with big arms that shelter, the father reached down,
And he picked up his son from off the ground,
Encircled in love, the boy’s smile moved a crack,
And he said to his friend, “don’t worry, we’ll be back”
With his sandwich half eaten, and the half saved
The boy saw them off them off with a shy, humble wave.
As I followed the father and the son to the door,
I knew that their Christmas, meant a whole, whole, lot more,
Then my presents all wrapped in bright ribbons and bows,
Which in hours would reveal fancy trinkets and cloths
Each one with a price tag that told of it’s worth,
Yet in one brief exchange I saw Christ, meek and mild,
Dressed on poverty’s rags, and the gifts of a child.
That night as I knelt and thanked God up above,
I thanked him for people, who demonstrate love,
I’m sure there were weightier matters that day,
But to one little boy things are looking okay.
