A Christmas Angel

It was the usual Christmas rush of people coming and going, with
large parcels tucked under their arms. I stood at the living room
window and watched them scurry home to their loved ones, as the snow
fell softly to the ground.

I turned to my husband who was in the kitchen unpacking the grocery
bags. "This is going to be the best Christmas ever," I said, smiling
down at our infant son. "It's going to be his very first
Christmas!"

Jerry smiled at me, "I can't wait either."

Matthew cooed happily, playing on the living room rug with his teething
toys. "Just wait until tomorrow," Jerry poked his head out from around
the fridge. "Your auntie Cheryl is flying out for an entire week. I
just know she's going to spoil you rotten."

Matthew perked up at the sound of her name, flailing his toys excitedly
on the carpet. I watched our healthy, happy son, surrounded by so much.
He was such a fortunate child. I went to the window once again and
stared blankly at the snow banks. Christmas was in two more days, yet
something didn't feel right.

I suddenly felt an ache in my chest, one I couldn't explain. It was a
premonition. I turned and looked over at Jerry, who was now standing in
the middle of the kitchen with the same odd expression on his face. He
joined me at the living room window, his face pale and worried. Then we
both turned to one another and muttered at the same time, "We need to
pack a Christmas hamper for Kathy and Robert."

Jerry looked into my eyes in surprise. We both started to laugh and
praise God. It must be a sign! Our closest and dearest friends must be
in dire need. Then I hesitated in wonder.

"Jerry," I said aloud. "Why would they need our help? After all, Robert
has a good paying job and is employed full time. This feeling we have
must be a mistake."

"Don't you think it's a coincidence that we both felt this at the same
time?" Jerry questioned. "Maybe it's God's will. I still think we
should pack a hamper just in case. And if we're wrong, at least it was
a good gesture."

I couldn't help but think of Robert's wife and three young kids. What
if they were in need of help and we didn't do anything? I nodded in
agreement. "You're right. We'll do it."

Jerry went right to work packing boxes of groceries from our kitchen
cupboards, while I quickly rushed out and bought a turkey and all the
fixings for their dinner. After buying gifts for the kids and
purchasing a one-hundred dollar gift certificate, I hurried home to
wrap the hamper in ribbons and bows.

Jerry and I were excited. We couldn't wait to deliver the packages. We
bundled Matthew in a snowsuit and headed out the door. The air was
crisp and cold as we stepped out into the night. We drove three blocks
and turned the corner leading to their driveway. All the lights were on
in the house. I unfastened Matthew from his car seat, while Jerry
lugged boxes to their front door.

As I passed the dining room window, I couldn't help but notice Kathy
and Robert leaning over the table with their heads down in prayer. I
hesitated momentarily, before knocking. I could hear the patter of
little feet running across the room. Kathy opened the door breathless,
with her 7-year old daughter hanging on her skirt. Kathy took one look
at us and started to cry. She motioned for her husband to come to the
door. Robert's mouth dropped open, as tears came to his eyes.

"You're our guardian angels," he whispered. "We were just praying for
some miracle to help us this Christmas, and here you are."

All the children gathered around and welcomed us into their home. Tessa
the oldest girl grabbed my hand tightly. "Thank you," she smiled. "You
see, my dad lost his job two weeks ago and we didn't think we were
going to have a Christmas, until now. I guess God really does answer
our prayers."

I hugged her tight, my heart overjoyed. I realized at that moment that
God does speak to us daily. We just need to listen.