Traveling through the frosty, shadowy, winter night, the middle-aged man pondered over what he should do next. Not only was he by himself, he had not been in the vicinity of another living person in months.

His name was only an echo, a shadow in his memory. From the conversations he remembered of old, his name was Terrence. That had not mattered though, because while he traveled alone and cold, there was one thing that still comforted him. For Terrence did his best with keeping up with time, and the best guess he could make would be December 20, 1933.

The Great Depression had not been around too long, but for Terrence, it had seemed ages. He had once been the richest man in town, but on October 29, 1929, Terrence lost everything he had. While most people had resorted to jumping out of office windows and finding ways to end their misery, Terrence simply went on with life, just without the money.

Years before, Terrence had found a hope at a nearby church on Christmas Eve. As a story was told of a Savior born in a manger who would one day save the world, he came to believe in this Son of God. Such humility the Lord had to give up his throne on high to be born and live the life of a carpenter. With the money and worldly riches that Terrence soon gained, he thanked God for every nickel, every dime. And there were plenty of those. When the stock market crashed at the end of the Roaring '20s, the money that Terrence lost had not affected him. He was already thankful enough for what the Lord had provided, and now that it had been taken away, Terrence ventured off into God's path.

As he traveled, penniless through the streets, he saw those who were once wealthy, and the few who had lost nothing. While most did not care what their priorities were, some had been changed by the Great Depression, being thankful for what was still provided. Even during Christmas, Terrence saw those who were well off, how they were so caught up in their possessions. He felt sorry for them that they were not willing to sacrifice what they had not only to the Lord, but to their neighbors as well. Money and earthly treasures had consumed them in a time of sorrow and during a holiday of rejoicing.

Suffering in the cold, harsh winds, Terrence followed where God led him. Although he had no shelter and no money, he was still finding his provisions. Rarely in a wealthy household did he find himself, but under the roof of those who had almost nothing to give. And he was thankful for this. As Terrence now kept up with the days counting down to Christmas, he found many opportunities to see people. He had finally made his way out of the wilderness, and into towns that had humans he could communicate with. The rich he told of heavenly riches, and some believed. He told the same to the poor, that one day they would be blessed.

On Christmas Day of 1933, a family welcomed Terrence into their home. There they celebrated a great gathering of hope and joy. Yet, Christ was nowhere to be found in that household, and so Terrence shared the story and the life God changed. They had never seen or heard of this way to be blessed. Now they gave thanks to God for all they had. The baby Christ had come to save!

Terrence continued on, with hope of a future filled with blessing. Pondering over many thoughts, Terrence soon came to wonder about the reluctance of being thankful. How come those who were poor and had nothing to offer still gave everything to God? And yet how could those who had the world not give a fraction, if not everything to their Savior? Such an offering it would be for the wealthy to give up everything for God, but how much more likely would it be for those who are thankful for the little they have to praise God? What would it take?

Truth lies in the stable.

© Stephen C. Sanders 2004.