BY
D. J. DI PIETRO

It was a typical Christmas day at the Bliss home in Hamilton, New Jersey, except for the absence of Billy. His oldest sister Hannah, brother-in-law Max, nephew Julian and niece Chloe had arrived yesterday from Florida. His other sister Christine, brother-in-law Tony and 18 month old Marie arrived today from nearby Trenton. Billy's mom, Julia was in a wheel chair, gazing at the snow flakes gently kissing the window. Almost a year ago, Julia had been a victim in a car accident that paralyzed her from the neck down. Her son, Billy, had only visited her once since the accident. He was devastated when he saw her and could not accept her paralyzed condition.

When the accident first happened, Julia's first thought was "God , why me?" She had prayed frequently since then to find an answer. Deep in her heart she new God sometimes works in our lives in ways that we do not understand. She had read Phillipians 4:11, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." In a Christian publication, she read, "O Lord, give me the grace to be content with what you give to me! No! More than that, let me rejoice in all you send me - It's your choice!..." She soon realized that her helpless situation was influencing family, friends, and even strangers in a good way. People were praying more frequently. Some prayed for her recovery, while others prayed for her to have the strength to deal with her situation. Family, friends, and strangers were sending her encouraging letters and phone calls. Someone was always there to help her. Her husband Bob, daughters, son-in-laws and grandchildren were especially loving and caring.

Six year old Julian and three year old Chloe had their noses pressed to the window pane like two puppy dogs. Any time the snow flakes hit the window close to their nose, they squealed with joy. Chloe ran to her grandmother and said, "Nana, the snow kissed my face". Julia wanted to hug Chloe, but couldn't, so she just cried. Julian said, "Nana, I know your arms don't work anymore since you got hurt. Don't worry because I'll wipe the tears from your face". Nana said, "Thanks, Julian, you're a big help to your Nana".

Christine was baking cookies in the kitchen. The aroma was delightful. The first batch of chocolate chip cookies were cooling on the table. Baby Marie was sprinkling jimmies on a batch of vanilla cookies, shaped like Christmas trees. Christine asked Marie to bring some of the chocolate chip cookies to her daddy and her cousins.

Tony saw his daughter enter the family room with the cookies. He got down on his hands and knees and barked like their dog, Honey Boy. He begged Marie to put a delicious cookie into his mouth. Marie tried to stuff two cookies into her father's mouth at the same time. The cookies were soft and "squishy". Marie's aim was not so accurate. The cookies hit partly on his mouth and mostly on his nose. It was a funny sight. Julian and Chloe laughed hysterically.

Bob and his daughters came into the family room singing "Hark, the herald angels sing, Glory to the new born King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild - God and sinners reconciled! Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic hosts proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem". Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King".

The song was interrupted by the doorbell. Julian ran to the door and opened it. It was the Christmas angels from their church. Julian's eyes lit up. Excitedly he said, "Nana, angels are here!" Nana said to Julian, "Be Nana's helper and tell the other children to come here". They all came in with eyes as big as saucers. They sat on the floor around Nana's chair and listened intently as the "angels" shared the story of Christ's birth. The children were fascinated. They would never forget the Christmas story.

Julia said to Bob, "If Billy would come home now it would be a perfect day". Billy lived in New York City. He was the "black sheep" of the family. He had always "walked to the beat of a different drummer". In high school, he had joined the "wrong crowd" and became involved with alcohol and "recreational drugs". "I was a sheep going astray" (Isaiah 53:6) characterized his situation. His father had counseled him about the folly of being exposed to these vices. He told Billy that it would be difficult to stay away from them once he tried them. Bob often told Billy, "Watch your thoughts, they become your actions. Watch your actions, they become your character. Watch your character, it becomes your destiny. Your destiny is forever, either in Heaven or in Hell! Bob's words went in one ear and out the other.

At the age of eighteen, Billy married his high school sweetheart. They went to New York City where Billy got a job as a drummer in a hard rock band. By the age of nineteen, he was a hard drug addict! He struggled against his addiction for several years. "God says, I was dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). During that time, he lost his wife and he lost his job! Billy had not paid his rent for several months, since he lost his job. His landlady told Billy he could stay in the apartment to the end of the year, but Billy managed to go astray again. He broke into his landlady's apartment to steal money to buy drugs. The landlady caught him in the act. It was Christmas eve, but it was the "last straw". Billy begged the landlady not to call the police. She told Billy, "If you're not out of the apartment in ten minutes, I'm calling the police".

Billy gathered his meager belongings in a duffel bag and left. He slept outside that night on his duffel bag in a cardboard box! He awakened on Christmas day, stiff and cold. It was snowing and the wind was howling! He pulled the dirty collar of his coat around his neck. He just wanted a little shelter from the piercing icy cold wind. The snow on his head made him look like an old man. Billy silently prayed, "God help me". His prayer would soon be answered and it would change his life forever!

It just so happened that a man was looking for an open grocery store. He saw Billy just as he fell on the snowy sidewalk. The man asked, "Do you need help?" Billy answered, "I'll be fine as soon as I find a warm place". The man said, "I know a warm place where you can stay for a while." The kind man gave Billy a ride to a church. Fortunately it was a church that preached the Bible.

When Billy walked into the church, several members welcomed him. Billy told them about his helpless situation. One man looked at Billy's old coat, torn slacks and scuffed shoes and said, "Billy come home with me after the morning worship service. I want to give you some new clothes". It just so happened that the man wore the same size coat, shirt, slacks and shoes! Then another member said to Billy, "Have you ever waited on tables?" Billy answered, "Yes, for about a year. The member said, "I have an opening for a waiter. Come to my restaurant on monday at 10 a.m." Clearly, these Christians were doing good for goodness sake. "As we have opportunity, let us do good to all men..." (Galatians 5:6). Billy was overwhelmed by their kindness and generosity.

He stayed for the worship service. When the pastor asked, "Is there anyone who is visiting this church for the first time? Billy raised his hand. An usher gave him a packet of information about the church. The pastor's sermon concerned salvation for lost souls. He illustrated his point through a story about a young man who ran the New York marathon. The man was well prepared. He had run 40 to 50 miles per week for months. His speed and stamina were excellent. He got off to a good start and was in the lead pack through the first fifteen miles. Suddenly, he "hit the wall" at mile number twenty, but continued despite shortness of breath and leg cramps. He was barely walking by mile twenty six . He stumbled several times and then crawled during the last 100 yards. Finally, with ten yards to go, his heart stopped beating!

The pastor said, "The man had given it everything , but still fell short. How many believe that we can live good enough lives to make it to heaven without God's grace?" Then he read the following words from the Bible: "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23). "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Billy was touched by the story and the scriptures. He was truly sorry for his sins.
The pastor concluded the service by asking the congregation to bow their heads in prayer with their eyes closed. He asked, "Has anyone called on the Lord to be your savior? Just raise your hand." It was a powerful moment for Billy. He felt the Holy Spirit in his heart and raised his hand high!

"Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things ... become new" (II Corinthians 5:17). Billy was born again. He was so excited that he wanted to see his family today and tell them about his new life.
Billy borrowed money for the train ride to New Jersey. On the train, it occurred to him that he did not have Christmas gifts for the family. He found an old newspaper and tore it into equal pieces, one for each family member. He wrote a name and the following message on each piece of paper: "I owe you one Christmas gift, Love, Billy".
There was still one more problem. How would he get from the train station to home without any money for a taxi? He didn't want to call his family because he wanted to surprise them. It just so happened that Clarence Spires, an old high school friend, sat down next to Billy in the train. Clarence said, "My brother is meeting me at the Princeton station. I'll ask him to give you a ride home to Hamilton."

When Billy arrived home, the family was surprised and happy! They listened quietly to his story and then the whole family began to sing loudly, "Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see..."

Billy embraced his dad and then hugged his mom. Billy said, "I'm saved. Praise the Lord!" When he kissed his mother's cheek, several glistening tears of joy rolled down her face. Salvation! this was the best Christmas gift ever!