Papa Panov’s Special Christmas
Leo Tolstoy translated a story written by Ruben Saillens. I’d like to share parts of this story with you as we prepare for Christmas.
“It was Christmas Eve and although it was still afternoon, lights began to appear in the shops. Old Papa Panov, the village shoemaker, stepped out of his shop to look at the sights and sounds of Christmas. Papa Panov did not often read, but tonight he pulled down the big, old family Bible and began to read the Christmas story. He read how Mary and Joseph, tired from their journey to Bethlehem, found no room for them in the inn, so Mary’s little baby was born in a cowshed. ‘O dear,’ exclaimed Papa Panov. ‘If they had come here I would have given them my bed, and I could have covered the baby with my patchwork quilt.’ Papa put down the Bible and took a small box and opened it. Inside was a perfect pair of tiny leather shoes. Papa smiled with satisfaction. They were the best shoes he had ever made.
Papa went to sleep and dreamed someone was in the room. He knew it was Jesus. Jesus knew Papa had been wishing he could see Him. So Jesus told Papa to look for Him tomorrow, but He added, ‘Look carefully, for I shall not tell you who I am.’
When Papa awoke it was Christmas Day, and he began to look for Jesus. Would he be a little baby or a great King? Papa put on a pot of coffee and opened his shop door. The only person there was the street sweeper. Papa invited the street sweeper in and offered him some coffee to warm him. Papa kept looking outside, and the street sweeper asked if he was expecting someone. Papa told him about his dream.
When he left, Papa put the cabbage soup on for his dinner. He went to the door again and looked outside. Someone was coming – it was a young girl with a baby wrapped in a thin shawl. Papa’s heart went out to them, and he invited them in. ‘Won’t you come in, you need a warm seat by the fire and a rest. I’ll warm some milk for the baby. I’ve had children of my own, I can feed her for you.’ He fed her with a spoon and warmed the baby’s feet by the stove. ‘She needs shoes,’ the cobbler said. The girl replied that she couldn’t afford shoes. She had no husband, and she was on her way to the next village to get work. ‘Try these on her.’ The shoes fit perfectly. She said ‘You’ve been so kind to us – May all your Christmas wishes come true.’
Papa was wondering if he had missed his visitor. He invited some homeless persons into his home for soup and to get warm. He gave them a big hunk of bread. As darkness fell, Papa went inside and sat in his armchair. He thought it must have been a dream after all and that Jesus had not come. He called out, ‘Where are you?’ The voice of Jesus answered him, ‘I was hungry, and you fed me. I was cold, and you warmed me. I came to you today in every one of those you helped and welcomed.’
‘So he did come after all!’ was all that he said.”
Prayer – Jesus, thank you for coming to each of us. You came so we might have life and have it eternally. Thank you, Lord Jesus! Amen.
Matthew 25:35 – “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me…”
Author: The Rev. Tommy Herndon
Illustration: Tony Morris
