I was reading a book this morning that opened with a horrific account of the author experiencing an almost life ending accident at school. Hit with by a thrown baseball bat, he suffered a brain hemorrhage. Was helicoptered to a nearby hospital. In a comma for days he awoke. After a miraculous recovery, he emerged as a totally different person. Prior to his accident, he had been introverted, sullen. Usually viewed his life as gloomy. He was not a fun person to be around. But after his recovery? All of a sudden, the sun came out. Expressive, smiling, just fun! What happened to this guy?!

Immediately my mind raced to remembrances of two longtime friends of mine who this year faced their own near-death tragedies. There was something these three guys had in common that struck me.

I’ll share this with you here. John and Steve (not their real names) were both socially awkward … inept really. Lacked confidence. Always wanted to be included as part of the “gang.” But their awkwardness prevented them from connecting. They simply wanted to fit in with the group. But no. Probably like the author of the book I opened this piece with.

I remember them well. Because I felt sorry for them both. They were great students. Would do anything for you. But they desperately needed to please. Were they picked on? Some. Did their classmates talk, even joke about them behind their back? For sure. Interestingly sixty years after graduation from prep school? Months before our 60^th reunion… each faced his own critical health issue. No need to share the specifics. But each found himself at death’s door, fighting for his life.

Like the author… both amazingly recovered. Emerging from feelings of rejection. Feelings of being lesser than? Gone. Now? Open, optimistic… fun loving friends. Again, like the author John and Steve went from being total “Debbie Downers” to fun, joyous members of the group, our class. Their lives were to be lived vibrantly, appreciated as never before. Gifts, blessings abounded! Their tragedies maybe, paradoxically, the greatest of these.

I never imagined this post would become a Christmas story. But as I was writing, the vision of Ebenezer Scrooge came to me. That wizened, lonely… rejected old man. Angry at the world. Socially inept. Gossiped about by his fellow townspeople. Scrooge too came face to face with death’s door. Differently than the three mentioned before. But the outcome was the same. Ebenezer relived hid tragic past and was transformed. It was as if the skies opened. Scrooge saw the light! You this story well.

So, this Christmas I have a short list of friends, acquaintances who I think might be alone, facing a personal challenge, even a tragedy. Or simply feeling down about life in general. While I have no miracle cure or vision to move them to a better place, I’m going to reach out and wish them a Merry Christmas. Tell them God knows them. He loves them. They will always fit in. Be joyful this day. God is with each of them… always.

Maybe you have your own short list too …

Merry Christmas