The Christmas Gift

She sat at the curb in her best clothes; all dirty and torn. She looked down at her feet; her shoes ragged and worn. She watched as the church doors opened and the nicely dressed people filed in. Her heart filled with excitement as she heard the choir begin. Silently she made her way inside and sat in the very last row. She held on tightly to the present she'd brought; with no fancy bow. She hoped they'd be kind enough to just let her stay, For she had something to bring to the Baby Jesus today. She listened intently as the preacher told of Jesus, the Baby King. The Three Wise Men and the gifts they'd traveled so far to bring. The star that had shone down; that had led them from place to place. When he had finished, there were tears of joy streaming down her face. Finally it was her turn, she had a gift to bring Him too, To the altar she went, in her threadbare clothes and tattered shoes. As everyone stared; she knelt down, bowed her head and started to pray. Outraged they wondered...Who was this beggar, this vagrant, this bothersome stray? "Dear Jesus," she began, "I don't have much to offer a King like yourself," "But mama told me it didn't have to be of riches or wealth." "She and daddy are gone now, and I was left here on my own," "But mama told me as long as I give you this, I'd never be alone." Ashamed of themselves, no one said a word as she stood to go. Who were they to judge this unselfish and beautiful soul? They then realized it took a little girl to show them where love starts, For in the Christmas gift she had brought, was a lace trimmed paper heart. December 2004