We had a very delightful Christmas in Portland. On Christmas Eve day, Gretchen and I enjoyed a wonderful run on a sunny day, came home and had a last minute run to the grocery store. Then we were off to a double service night with the Portland JV’s. First on the schedule was downtown chapel, a parish in the middle of downtown where my friend Garrett works in their drop in center. It is a very simple chapel with brightly colored walls and a cement floor. We sang traditional carols and listened to a homily about Christ coming to bring out the best in the least in society; to give those people that were rejected by everyone else a glimmer of hope and integrity, to make them feel loved and wanted. He acknowledged the congregations propensity for service and encouraged them to continue to serve others so that we could help to bring them the humanity they deserve like Christ did.
After the service, we walked the few blocks to Pioneer Square to admire the Christmas tree with a nice cup of coffee before our next stop. After warming up slightly we headed over to Night Watch – an evening drop in center for homeless. When we walked in, the smell of smoke and BO was overwhelming. I felt incredibly out of place in my purple pea coat, big golden earrings and shiny flats. I didn’t feel like pushing my way past the crowded rows of men who didn’t look like they wanted to get real cozy with their neighbors, so I stood in the back with most of the other JV’s. I was impressed with the few volunteers that did find a seat amongst the homeless men and women who called each other family. We sang carols between readings of the Christmas story from the Gospels and then the man in charge gave a great talk about the circumstances of Mary and Joseph and Jesus around the time of Jesus’ birth. They were homeless, a pregnant unwed mother, born in a dirty stable outside the city limits. Christ was meant for the people sitting in that room. He was one of those people sitting in that room. Many other points were made that may have resonated more with the people sitting in that room, but as a person of privilege to be there with the people Christ was intended for was a very powerful experience.
When the service was over hot drinks were served and sweet treats were passed. I finally made my way up to the front of the room and into a conversation about economics with one homeless man. It was very interesting – talking about how there is such a huge disparity between the rich and poor, a conversation I’ve never had with someone on the other end of the spectrum, and he was very wise. We talked about how trickle-down economics may sound good in theory when compared to feeding a horse: if you give him enough food, there will be feed left over for the birds. But money is not so finite. Greed is a thing that cannot be satiated, money will keep going into a void that cannot be filled, and none will be left to fall to those less fortunate. Something to think about…
Then he trailed off to talking about Hari Krishna and throwing around a bunch of names and concepts I couldn’t follow…. But it was good while it lasted J
The JV’s retired to Greshlahem for the evening - I quickly whipped up some breakfast casseroles to sit overnight, then relazedd in our family room admiring our fat Christmas tree complete with colored lights, popcorn strings, and tin-foil star. There was a little guitar playing and carol singing, but the night dissolved into laughter as we filled the family room with 5 mattresses for all 11 of us to sleep, and steamrolled each other before falling asleep to Home Alone.
Christmas Morning I awoke earlier than everyone else. I cleaned the kitchen and put the casseroles in the oven. Gretchen helped get the table ready and people slowly started to wake up and wander into the kitchen. We sat around the table all together, like a good JV family and enjoyed pumpkin pancakes, fruit salad, and a choice of vegetarian or sausage casserole. Eventually people went back to their homes, Gretchen and I put our first turkey in the oven, and we spent the afternoon opening the few presents under the tree and calling family members. Gresham shared a Delicious Christmas dinner (hauling our amazing turkey in the car) with Portland Mac, and rounded out the night with drinks and pool at a new bar that opened up a few blocks away.
Overall, a very merry Christmas!
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