The Moment I Discovered The True Meaning Of Christmas
A chance encounter in a soup kitchen taught me why it’s the most wonderful time of the year
I’m bundled up to my neck in warm clothes, but I can still feel the cold seeping through my gloves. Clutching my father’s hand, he says we’re spending Christmas Eve at the neighborhood community center. The bustling sound of people greeting each other fills the air as we navigate the crowd. My father leads me towards the kitchen, where we are about to serve meals to those less fortunate.
“Here you go,” he says. “It’ll make you look more festive!”
My father puts a Santa hat on my head and tells me to wear a beaming smile. Looking out into the community center’s main hall, I notice a long line of people patiently waiting, many of whom appear exhausted and dressed in tattered clothes. However, despite their hardships, their faces light up with joy when we hand them steaming-hot food.
“Why are we doing this?” I whisper, careful to keep my voice low.
“We’re learning about the spirit of Christmas,” my father replies. “It’s a time for giving, and not just when you receive presents from mom and dad.”
“Thousands of children like you don’t have a home,” my father continues. “But it’s…
