December 22

What It Means to Be a Christian on Christmas Eve

By Pres. Ezra Taft Benson

Being a Christian means to do what Christ would do, even when it is not convenient.

            There was a little crippled boy who ran a small newsstand in a crowded railroad station.  He must have been about twelve years old.  Every day he would sell papers, candy, gum and magazines to the thousands of commuters passing through the terminal.

            On night two men were rushing through the crowded station to catch a train.  One was fifteen or twenty yards in front of the other.  It was Christmas Eve.  Their train was scheduled to depart in a matter of minutes.

            The first man turned a corner and in his haste to get home to a Christmas party plowed right into the little crippled boy.  He knocked him off his stool, and candy, newspapers and gum were scattered everywhere.  Without so much as stopping, he cursed the little fellow for being there and rushed on to catch the train that would take him to celebrate Christmas in the way he had chosen for himself.

            It was only a matter of seconds before the second commuter arrived on the scene.  He stopped, knelt, and gently picked up the boy.  After making sure the child was unhurt, the man gathered up the scattered newspapers, sweets and magazines.  Then he took his wallet and gave the boy a five dollar bill.  “Son,” he said, “I think this will take care of what was lost or soiled.  Merry Christmas!”

            Without waiting for a reply, the commuter now picked up his briefcase and hurried on his way.  As he did, the little crippled boy cupped his hands together and called out, “Mister, Mister!”

            The man stopped as the boy asked, “Are you Jesus Christ?”

            By the look on his face, it was obvious the man was embarrassed by the question.  But he smiled and said, “No, son.  I am not Jesus Christ, but I am trying hard to do what He would do if He were here.”

And that, my friend, is what it means to be a Christian, even on Christmas Eve.