Every holiday season my family and lots of our friends from church experience one of the t
rue meanings of Christmas. It usually comes about 2 weeks before Christmas day and there are no physical gifts on the receiving side for us. However, as they are receiving gifts from us they are giving us a gift they don't even realize.
The Austinville Church of Christ has hosted the "Adult Handicap Christmas Party" for as long as I can remember. I have no idea when it started or how many years we have had this party, I just know I look forward to this party every year. Each December we are blessed to welcome many adults and children who have various neurological disorders and are intellectually delayed. These precious guests still have a child-like mind and truly enjoy the holiday of Christmas.
This year we had a special guest, the real Santa Claus was able to join us! My mom works with a wonderfully nice orthopedic surgeon from Birmingham who dresses up in a real Santa suit and visits his patients and many other children during the Christmas season. When Dr. Killian heard about our party he volunteered to come to Decatur and play our Santa. Dr. Kilian was joined by his elf, Dr. Mayberry, who is his partner in Birmingham.
The expression our guests had on their face when Santa and his Elf entered the gym was priceless. Their innocence and pure joy about seeing Santa was all the reward we workers needed that day. As Santa found his chair, a long line formed on the red carpet while each guest pulled out their wish list to read to Santa. He sat patiently as they read him their list and explained why they should be on the "Nice" list this year. Each guest received a present from Santa and a hug after talking with him. A couple of our guests took it upon themselves to re-see Santa three or four times, just in case Santa had forgotten what they asked for or if they came up with another idea!
After seeing Santa, each guest made their way over to the "Build A Bear Workshop". Many of Santa's helpers were eager to assist them in making a bear to take home or give away as a gift. They were able to pick out a bear, stuff it with stuffing, place some "Christmas Love" inside it, sew it up and put a pretty ribbon around its neck. At the end of the workshop they were able to obtain a birth certificate and name their bear.
At the end of day when my feet were killing me and my face hurt from smiling so much, I was able to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas I learn at this party each year. I am very thankful for my life and for all of the blessings God has blessed me with. I am thankful for the gift I have to work in the health care field that assists many of our guests who came today. I am thankful for my church family who looks forward to volunteering at this party and probably has more fun than our guests do. The best gift of Christmas is truly the gift of giving and through our giving today, we received so much more than we gave.
