It was Christmas Eve, the day was ice cold and filled with love. People were rushing home with their shopping bags filled with Christmas gifts. I was excited to be meeting a few friends for our annual Christmas lunch.

When we walked into the restaurant I saw an older gentleman sitting all alone and sipping on a cup of hot tea. The waiter seated us at our table and each of us ordered our favorite Christmas Eve meals with our appetizers being as delicious as our entrees.

While we were eating lunch, I watched this man slowly drinking his tea as if he were waiting for someone to meet him or pick him up from the restaurant. He looked a little dirty and a bit sad, but somehow I was able to see a twinkle in his eyes which led me to believe that this man had enjoyed many Christmases past.

My girlfriends and I had a great time exchanging gifts and our food was delicious. As we sat chatting I heard the waiter say, Steve, we will be closing soon which means you’ll have to leave the restaurant shortly. The man looked worried and asked the waiter for one more cup of hot tea. The waiter kindly brought him another cup of tea. After the tea warmed his spirit he reluctantly left the restaurant.

After our lunch was over we left the restaurant, hugged each other and parted ways lovingly wishing each other a very merry Christmas.

As I waited for the valet to get my car I noticed that same man sitting on the steps of a bakery all by himself. My heart broke into a gazillion pieces just looking at him. It was then that I decided to approach him slowly and carefully.

When I looked at his face my eyes met his and I asked him if he was ok. I wanted to make sure that he had food for this very special evening and food for Christmas Day. He seemed like a very nice man and for some reason my heart would not allow me to walk away from him.

A complete stranger and I found myself inviting him home with me. I knew my husband would be upset with me but I’d be more disappointed with myself if I didn’t help this man when I had everything in my power and possession to do so. I asked the stranger his name and he told me that his name was Steve. He never told me what his last name was and I didn’t ask him. I just wanted to help him and his last name was not important to me.

When we arrived home I asked him if he wanted to bathe and he said yes. I even found him some old clothes that belonged to my husband that he could wear. After he was all cleaned up I made him food and he ate it all up. I think he loved and enjoyed the food to the very last drop.

I told Steve that he could stay with me and my family until after Christmas and his face lit up. Well when my husband came home I introduced him to Steve. My husband thought I had lost my mind for inviting a complete stranger into our home. I told my husband that I felt it was the right thing to do.

Later that evening at dinner my husband and Steve started talking only to find out that they had some deep things in common. The next morning on Christmas Day my husband began to say his special Christmas prayer that he had prayed ever since he was a young child. And before the end of the prayer Steve joined in the prayer and began reciting it along with my husband.

It was at that very precious and loving moment that my husband realized that Steve was his father. No one knew that prayer except my husband or so we thought, but Steve also knew that prayer. Not only had he taught it to my husband, but he prayed it with my husband every night until he was 15 years old. That was when his father left the family.

My husband had no idea where his father was, lived or if anything bad had happened to him. My husband had not heard from his father in all the years that had passed and he became an adult.

Having not a clue about his father’s whereabouts and not hearing another word from him since the day he walked out and away from his loving family. And now my husband has welcome his father and soon to be his dad into our hearts, home and lives.

He didn’t ask him any questions about why he left his family. He forgave him and now they have a beautiful bond that cannot be severed.

Steve has been living with us twenty years now and to say that he is beyond elated is an understatement. We are more than blessed to have this Christmas miracle shining brightly in our lives every day. It’s time to bake some chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies.

Merry Christmas