A Divine Gift Of Christmas Love

A Divine Gift of Love,
A Christmas Coin

A man stood on the corner holding tin cup by his side.
Demeanor showed he was homeless, bereft of pride.
Shoppers quickly walked by, turning heads away,
in a hurry to complete gift purchases for the day.

They couldn’t be bothered to drop coins in his tin cup,
as they were on a schedule and couldn't mess that up!
After all, lazy beggars were just blight in their land-
drifting lifetime members of a forgotten man's band.

He felt dog tired as he was long overdue for a rest.
Clutched his thread bare coat closer yet to his chest,
reached into his pocket and felt bits of a candy cane,
One he had found by the curb on time's Forgotten Lane.

Tears filled his eyes as he woefully watched others shop,
arms full of gifts, in a hurry so he knew they wouldn't stop.
Such sights were reminders of yesterdays, now slipped by,
Moments before dark storm clouds invaded a sunny sky.

He had lost his fame, fortune, family, and friends too,
Survived on meals of "hit and miss" mixings of beggar's stew.
Now he stood on street corners, hoping to find a soul kind,
to help him survive day's end with any charity he could find.

Snow flurries started to fall and quickly covered the ground.
He heard beautiful Christmas carols being sung all around.
Thoughts returned to how he’d responded to such as a boy,
singing and dancing, while experiencing great musical joy.

It seemed like a hundred years ago as he reflected back.
Memories of long, long ago spilled out from Santa's Sack.
Good times were not to be discovered this Christmas season.
His misfortune to be cold and lonely, his rhyme minus reason.

Suddenly, he heard the clinking sound of a single, silver coin.
It landed alone in his metal cup with no other gifts to join.
Who had dropped it, as city streets were obviously bare?
Christmas shoppers had gone home. Who’d showed care?

He reached into the cup to inspect the coin placed within.
As he viewed it, he knew it was one not minted by men.
Words engraved on both sides, he now struggled to read.
He studied them. New faith began to sprout from seed.

He read words, “Peace, Faith, Joy, Truth, Praise, and Love”.
Instantly he knew it was a divine gift from God up above.
As he gripped the precious coin tightly in his cold hands,
he was certain he saw an angel returning to Glory Lands!

He smiled, as suddenly he realized he had not been alone,
Though miserable, cold, tired, and hungry, he’d not bemoan,
for God did not forget Beggar Jim on this most Holy Night.
He now understood his future was in His Father's sight.

Share your light this Christmas
Give a gift of Christmas Love!