[Los
Angeles] At
Christmastime, millions of the faithful throughout the world celebrate
the birth of a wise saint, born over two thousand years ago. Legend
says that three wise sages followed a luminous star in the night's indigo
sky. This shining star led them to the humble stable in which baby Jesus
lay, surrounded by the warmth of barnyard animals, and glowing in the
Light of His own effulgence. These three sages came, bearing gifts of
gold, frankincense and myrrh to lay at the feet of the newborn savior.
From this noble story comes the Christmas tradition of giving gifts
to loved ones and caring for society's less fortunate.
Before
Christmas 2000, initiates from the Los Angeles Center collected their
annual Christmas tithes for the poor of surrounding counties in Southern
California and held a loving activity of sharing.
Three
years ago, the city of Santa Ana opened the Armory Shelter for the Homeless,
which houses many of the city's wandering poor on cold nights. In early
December, the doors of the Shelter are opened so that the homeless can
find a place to lay their weary heads, find some sustenance and escape
the frigid winter night. The Shelter residents are given food, sleeping
mats and blankets, and offered free showers. They are also given free
medical attention, job counseling, legal advice and other assistance.
|
|
| Connie,
program coordinator of the Armory Shelter for the homeless in Santa
Ana, has her picture taken with fellow initiates from Los Angeles. |
"Connie,"
the Shelter's program coordinator, gave us a list of items needed by
those who call the place their home. We bought warm hooded sweatshirts,
socks and hygienic supplies, and packed them in 120 bright teal green
backpacks. Then, Connie invited us to present our gifts to the homeless
several days before Christmas.
Disciples
arrived at the Armory with gifts in tow and had to wait outside in the
cool night, as the homeless were going through their nightly check-in.
This particular night, the temperature hovered around 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
As we stood outside while many men wearily eyed us, we wondered how
the poor could tolerate such cold and suffering. One elderly security
guard was very friendly and wanted his picture taken with us. He even
took a photograph of our lovely Master after we had introduced our group.
After
check-in was completed, Connie invited us to come inside and distribute
our gifts to the ladies first. Surely, Christmas had arrived at this
humble abode of the homeless. Weary stares gave way to happy smiles
as we wished each person a 'Merry Christmas' and handed out the gifts.
All of the women immediately opened their backpacks and happily sat
examining their presents. One lovely pregnant woman asked us if she
could have a larger sweatshirt to accommodate her bulging stomach.
Two
children were present that evening. One of them, a delicate four-year
girl, lay asleep under a colorful blanket. We had bought some warm clothing
and toys especially for her and gave them to her grateful mother. Nearby,
a thirteen-year old amused himself with a Pokemon game-boy and did not
even look up at us. This boy was accompanied by his very elderly grandmother.
When she received her gifts, she was astonished! Next, we continued
to pass out gifts to the one hundred men in the Shelter.
One
Hispanic man, Ray, found the brochure about Master in his gift bag and
immediately wished to speak with us. He wanted to meet Master and asked
us where She lived. After giving him a sample booklet and an address
where he could write to Master, he wished to obtain even more information.
That
night, although the homeless at the Armory Shelter greatly appreciated
their gifts, we received much more than they did, as we experienced
first-hand that it is better to give than to receive!
