It’s a cold December evening in the western suburbs of Chicago. The Year of our Lord 2006. We’re gathered in the family room enjoying the warmth, light, and fragrance of the fire. Our Christmas tree glows in the corner. I’ve read some Christmas stories to the family. Now we’re listening to carols on Moody Radio. Hannah is puttering with some cookbooks and reading cookie recipes aloud. I like what I hear. Within an hour she’s got a couple sheets of cookies cooling on the counter.
Outside there is a noise. We are working for a ministry that employs a number of single young people. In the evenings they are responsible for their own meals. They are at an age when they are rarely unwilling to eat if they are offered food.
When I hear the noise outside I know what’s coming… I get up and turn off the radio. From outside our door we can hear carols. I walk over to the counter without a word and pick up a large tray of fresh cookies. They are still warm from the oven. I swing open the door. Carols pour into the room.
When the cluster of young people finish their singing I walk out with the cookies. They eagerly clear the tray. They smile and chatter. Their faces are red from the cold.
“Thank you. How did you know we were coming?”
“We didn’t. We just happened to have some fresh cookies ready. Your timing was perfect,” I said.
We bid them good night and Merry Christmas and they retured the greeting and shuffled off into the night.
This time of year it’s always perfect timing for songs about Jesus. It’s always perfect timing for kindness and cookies. Come to think of it, the time is always right for songs of loyalty and love for Jesus and deeds of love and kindness. Jesus people should always be ready for both…especially at Christmastime.
Ken Pierpont
Granville Cottage
Riverview, Michigan
December 10, 2012
