Christ came that night!

It was winter in Romania. A few of us had prepared gifts and bags filled with chicken, basic food items, snacks, and fruit.

We parked our car on a dark street surrounded by large blocks of apartments in a poor area of the city. I teamed up with Marius, and off we went, following the leading of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. We entered a random building, went up the stairs, left turn, right turn, then there we were, standing at a random door.

We knocked, waited, then knocked again.

The door opened; a man stood in the doorway. Behind him we could see a bare room and a young child. He stared at us, and seeing the bags in our hands, said, “Did my mother-in-law send you?” Then in a clenched voice he added, “I don’t want to have anything to do with her!” He prepared to close the door.

We managed to explain that this was not the case, rather that it was Christmas Eve, and we had felt a strong urge to knock at his door. He was quiet, and then stepped back and let us in.

The place was bare, with sparse furniture and dim lights. It was filled with a gloomy, sad atmosphere. No Christmas tree, no joy, no food on the table.

We began a conversation with Bogdan, who told us that his wife had just left him. He was destitute and felt even more lonely since this was Christmas Eve.

We spoke words of faith, hoping to encourage his broken heart. We then loaded his table with all the supplies and gave presents and sweets to his little girl, whose face began to shine as she broke into a radiant smile.

As we sat and talked, laughed and prayed with them both, the atmosphere in the room was transformed. It was filled with peace and light.  Christ’s presence was felt in that humble abode that night.

As Marius and I walked back to our car, no words were spoken. When we were driving home to enjoy our Christmas dinner with our family, we couldn’t help but feel Jesus’ presence and an inner joy flooded our hearts.

May your Christmas bring you much joy as you share its true meaning with those who need the hope of Christmas—the lost, lonely, hurting people in this world!