A sincere and loving gift

3 December 2020

Words Bryce Davies

Every year, the Salvos have Christmas lunches and dinners all over the country as we have connections and relationships with hundreds of hurting and lonely people who come to see us for support throughout the year.

One of my favourite Christmas party stories is about my friend Michelle.

Michelle is a busy single mum and has all the reasons in the world to just look after ‘Number One’. However, she often turns up to community meals at the Salvos in Villawood (Western Sydney), and has often cooked for us and shared the table with us.

Michelle has taken the time and made the effort, often after a busy day at work or on her day off, to get to know the people who we meet with each week. She regularly sees people like Fiona, Robbo, Douggie, Saty and Leah and her young son. She has listened to their stories and understands something of their pain and struggle. She has laughed with them and become friends. She has beautifully taken the time to foster a proper relationship that is often quite lovely. They look forward to seeing her whenever she can make it.

When Christmas came around last year, Michelle rocked up to our Christmas party with gifts – thoughtful gifts, specially chosen, each with a card and nicely wrapped. They were carefully selected at a shop for a person with a unique personality and given with a genuine smile and a hug to people who perhaps didn’t get a gift from anyone else. People who perhaps don’t think or feel much about Christmas at all. Given with sincere love and the hope of joy for the recipient.

This was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever witnessed. It was the culmination of a year of intentional connection with a hurting community and the sharing of love respect and intimacy.

That right there, is what Christmas is all about. A sincere and loving gift.

Major Bryce Davies is team leader at Salvos Villawood Community of Hope in Sydney.