Eddie was having a bad day. It was just a few weeks before Christmas and he had gotten into trouble at school. It was hard for Eddie to live away from home, especially at this time of the year, and he still acted out on occasion. Though his grades had improved since he came to live at Mercy Home, he struggled with anger toward his peers, his staff members and others. On this late afternoon in December, as he made his way back to Mercy Home from school, Eddie was in no mood to celebrate Christmas.
As he passed the large nativity scene set up on our Boys Campus, Eddie bumped into Father Scott. The two started talking about the problems Eddie faced in school and how Christmas was just not a happy time for him. Father Scott paused for a moment and then pointed out the beautiful Nativity display. It had in fact been built by someone who once lived at Mercy Home and who had gone on to become a carpenter.
As Eddie studied the Nativity scene, Father Scott started thinking about how hard it must have been for young Mary and her husband Joseph. How they took shelter in the only place they could find so that she could give birth to her son, Jesus. And how, from this extraordinarily humble beginning, came the light of salvation for the entire world.
Father Scott turned to Eddie and assured him that things would get better and that the trouble he had that day might not seem quite as terrible tomorrow. He also asked him to think about the hopeful message contained in this simple still life from 2,000 years ago.
By then it was getting very cold, and it was nearly dinnertime, so the two went inside. Later that evening, there was a terrific snowstorm. Through a second-story window at Mercy Home, Eddie and a youthcare worker named Patrick could see the manger scene below becoming covered by the falling snow.
Eddie suggested that they cover the figure of Jesus with a blanket to keep him warm. So together, Patrick and Eddie located a large scarf they could use for a blanket and Eddie made a note to place in the manger. It read:
“Dear Baby Jesus, I thought you would appreciate the blanket. It is cold outside so stay warm. We don’t want you sick for your birthday.”
Eddie’s outlook brightened after that snowy evening. Perhaps he realized that even in what may seem like our darkest hour of want and waiting, a child had delivered to the world tidings of great comfort, peace and joy.
Please note: Because we care deeply about protecting the privacy of our boys and girls, we have changed the name used in this story, as well as certain identifying details.
