Greetings, everyone.
I've never been a Xmas person, but I have had my magical moments. During my childhood Xmas did not mean much after you were 9 or 10 years old. After that you stopped getting presents.
For different other reasons I grew disillusioned with the whole Xmas spirit crap. But time passed, I married, graduated and went to the States for grad studies. Two of my daughters were born there. We witnessed many acts of kindness during the seven years we spent in the States, but those that happened around Xmas were the most memorable.
One particular Xmas that we were alone, no friends from our country around, let alone relatives, and not much money for presents, we got a knock at the door. It was a group big people from a local church who were walking under freezing weather singing Xmas songs door by door to those willing to listen to.
Additionally they had presents for the children of each home who were not going to get any.
We were moved beyond words. I wanted to hug each one of them, give them hot coffee or chocolate, but Americans are not very fond of hugs and they kindly declined the invitation to get inside and warm up.
That was one of the many nice things that happened to us around Xmas time and I hope my children, now big, will always remember that and replicate those acts of kindness.