Christmas Eve Homily 12-24-08
Readings: Isaiah 9, 1-6; Psalm 96; Titus 2, 11-14; Luke 2, 1-14 (Nativity Drama by the kids)
A Small Nativity, Missed
On the corner of Preston & Forest down in Dallas there is a restaurant that I go to occasionally, PeiWei. It is on the same corner as Whole Foods. One day last week I was standing outside the restaurant about 1:30 waiting for my sister to show up.
While I was waiting I saw coming up Forest from the Central Expressway side a man probably about my age. Coming very slowly. His legs were crippled and he was dragging them along with the aid of aluminum crutches. He was a white guy with gray hair, docker pants, a dark polo type shirt, and a navy blue sport coat. Black shoes that had been shined.
I watched him for about five minutes as he labored up the slight incline of the street and then as he came up the ramp into the shopping center. He was heading straight toward the corner sidewalk where I awaited my sister.
I was going to greet him, but before I could say anything he says to me, "So you like Chinese, eh." I agreed, and then he asked if he could ask me some directions. "Sure," I said. He drops his crutches literally on the sidewalk and leaning over he pulls out of his pocket a card which he shows me and asks if I know where Dougherty's Pharmacy is.
Sure I know where Doughtery's Pharmacy is. Everyone who lives in that general area of Preston Hollow and beyond knows where Dougherty's is. It is an independent pharmacy and a years old landmark in the neighborhood. The man's business card has a hand drawn map on the back showing accurately where the pharmacy is. I think, "This guy must be from out of town."
Because the trouble is, Dougherty's is not at the busy intersection of Preston & Forest, but at the equally busy intersection of Preston & Royal, one mile south down Preston Road. Moreover, there are no sidewalks and the bumpy path is rather close to the speeding traffic. I know about the lack of sidewalks because on Sabbath days I see Jewish families struggling along the paths on foot on their way to or from the temple.
So I tell the man where the pharmacy is and how to get there. I also tell him that it is a rather daunting walk even for a person able to walk with ease. He says it is no problem, leans over, picks up his aluminum crutches, hitches them to his his upper arms, and struggles down the sidewalk. I say, "I would be happy to take you over to the pharmacy, but I am waiting for my sister." He responds with, "No problem, the walk will be good for me." "Walk,", I think, "He can maneuver only with great effort." And off he goes down the sidewalk and eventually around the corner & out of sight while I continue to wait for a few more minutes.
Later I am kicking myself. "I could have helped him," I think, "driving him the distance and coming back in 5 minutes." I could have phoned my sister I would be 5 minutes late. Instead, I just stood there like a dummy.
I look back on this now as a small nativity moment. And I missed it. I want to be more alert and ready for the next one.
This evening we celebrate the Big Nativity. We are privileged to have this knowledge. However, it is the little ones that slip by me. These little ones sensitize me to the bigger one.
What little nativity has slipped by you recently or slips by you all the time?
AUDIO: http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2008-12-24.mp3
Picture 1: Wendy, Shonda, Ray, & Celeste
Picture 2: Nativity Drama with the Kids
Picture 3: Angels and Shepherds