When 2010 came to a close, I published a post entitled “What Will You Bring Me, 2011?” In it, I wrote this segment:

As usual, I have begun this new year having absolutely no idea where I will be when I throw the confetti 12 months from now. I do not know what state I will be living in, what my career position will be, or if I will actually be throwing confetti at all. I do expect, however, that I will be where I am meant to be at that moment, and I plan to take this next year to figure out where that place may be.

Last night, I heard a story about a shoebox. It was a story of both thanks and giving so, in honor of this American holiday, I want to share the story with you.

My brother, Dan, has been traveling around Nepal for almost two months with two American friends. Upon their arrival in early October, they planned to stay for several days in Kathmandu to get their bearings and collect travel visas and other materials.

I have never been big on New Year’s resolutions. I do not want to commit myself to plans I cannot plan for, or excuse myself from daily self-improvements because I am waiting for a new year to come. This is not to say I judge or look down on New Year’s resolutions. I see them as great turning points for individuals who want a fresh start or could use a kick in the rear. For me, though, I view New Year’s resolutions like I view pointy shoes – they look great on others, but are just not for me.

This Christmas, my family decided to alter tradition a bit and eliminate the gift exchange from our holiday celebration. After discussing this option for the past several years, but never actually following through with it, we finally made an agreement to stick with it this Christmas.

Shortly after indulging in sugar-rimmed mimosas and a filling breakfast on Christmas morning, my dad called us all together for a “family meeting.” He told us a story about Jill, one of his co-workers who is active in the local battered women’s shelter. Just prior to Christmas, Jill sent an e-mail to her and my dad’s fellow staff members asking for volunteers to sponsor a family at the shelter this Christmas. Within hours, every family on the list was cared for.

“If children retold stories they read at school like this, all modern authors would be proud. No matter what your religious beliefs may be, I think you will enjoy this version of the greatest story ever written and retold, and revised.”

The Christmas Story by Kids

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