European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 22, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse From left Gary Marty and Ivan Are hands on this Christmas season at the Ruth Meiers hospitality House in Bismarck . The shelter does t reveal last names of its residents. Homeless but not Joyless this Chris Masby David Briggs the associated press arty spent last Christmas in a saudi arabian desert As part of operation desert storm. Ivan spent it drinking in a Small room in South Dakota. Gary spent the Day in prison in Colorado. This year these three clean shaven Young men will celebrate Christmas in a homeless shelter in Bismarck. . And they will share a new understanding of the experience of a child born in Humble surroundings nearly 2, xxx years ago. Quot it s pretty sad that it took this to make me realize what Christmas really said Marty 23. Quot people put too much weight on the commercialism part instead of focusing on the birth of Christ. That s what we should be after two Mill Noums the Story of a child born in a Bethlehem Manger finds its echoes in a shelter in North Dakota soup kitchens in Las vegas and new Orleans and a Home for the retarded in Tennessee. In the gospel of Luke Mary gives birth and places Jesus in a Manger Quot because there was no place for them in the scholars debate whether this was a Cave or a stable or even whether Jesus was born in Bethlehem. But most interpreters agree the gospel writer wanted to identify Jesus with the poor of his time. A it is obvious that Jesus at his birth was a homeless person. Those who claim to be his followers will find their satisfaction in a modern journey to places of need Quot said William l. Hendricks of Southern Baptist theological Seminary in Louisville. A soup kitchens shelters for the homeless and institutions for the marginalized Are the modern counterpart of the some find Joy in this identification with the Christ child. Amid broken dreams of Prosperity that Drew them to Las vegas from new Mexico the Sandoval family is planning to spend their Best Christmas Ever in a homeless shelter a few blocks from the Casino lined strip. Quot what we re going through reminds me of what Mary and Joseph went through in Bethlehem a said Lorraine Sandoval 28, As she watched her two boys Ages 4 and 3, play with other children at the Crossroads shelter. A nobody wanted us then we found this place we found a Mark Anthony 46, has lived on the streets for 10 years and plays his Harmonica in new Orleans French Quarter. His meals arc free at the Center of Jesus the lord and if he makes $3.75 he can sleep in a City shelter. Quot i Call that a Blessing not Luck a Anthony said. A i blow my Harmonica and sing and think about How at least i got that. That a a Blessing from god and a Christmas present for but others in the modern mangers find it hard to keep the spirit of Christmas alive. The secular aspects of the Holiday can weigh heavily on poverty stricken families. Cassandra Cohn 24, also lives on the Edge of the French Quarter. Amid the world famous restaurants that Dot nearly every Block she brings her four kids for the free lunches at he Center of Jesus the lord. Seven year old David wants a Bike and 4-year-old Ashley wants a doll but Cohn gets Only $277 a month in welfare and her rent is $1�?~ 5. Quot i Tell them about the real meaning of. Christmas about How the Bahy Jesus was poor and cold a Cohn said. Quot they know How lie Felt i Hazel Greiser a 58-year-old widow who is among the Mountain poor of West Virginia said Faith is the Only thing that prevents her from. Dreading Christmas. She is unable to give her two preteen daughters the things they desire Quot they know we re poor hut sometimes i hear them when they done to know i m listening. They have their dreams but they look and dream knowing that they cannot have things. It just seems like everyone is More interested in whal they can get rather than whal they can give a she said. Quot ask kids what Christmas is about and they Tell you its presents and Santa Claus. Its never about the Christ child and How he came into the he did not come into the world in the beatific fashion of Christmas cards and paintings by the 15th-Century artist Fra Angelico most scholars say. There is nothing romantic about giving birth in a stable. A i done to think the gospels romanticize the poor Quot said the Rev. Cynthia Campbell of first presbyterian Church in Salina Kan. Quot it glorifies one who has the option to Side with the poor. The one who has everything sets it aside in order to stand with those who have in the gospel the poor were always with Jesus even from the beginning when an Angel of the lord called shepherds standing watch Over their clock to be the first to Greet the child. The shepherds considered peasants in that Era also were the first to bring the glad tidings to others. A a those who Are poor and dispossessed can claim him in a Way others cannot because of Bis Complete identification with them Quot Hendricks said. Some l>5 percent of the residents of the Clover Bottom developmental Center on the Oul Skiris of Nashville Are retarded with ail in of 21 or less. The Gilt they ask Lor a a Home of their own a is not easy to give hut they have a special understanding of Christ Mas. Quot he Jesus wanted More friends. That a what he was sent Down for. But people would t believe a says one resident Marilyn. Jose Duhon an Atlanta native who has searched for work in several slates said he finds a great Joy Quot in Christmas at the City Mission in Buffalo n y. A a thai a whal Christmas is All about. Speaking about Jesus he came irom a Manger because he did not have a place. He gives a Hope for All of us who done to have a Home. Its a special Day Christmas is Quot says Dubon 31. Not for Carolyn Nunley. A what s Christmas another Day Quot she says. Nunley is 37 hut looks More like 50 As she Panhandle for change in front of a porno theater in Bostons red Light District known As the combat zone. Quot what a a Holiday without family Quot she says. She wears a knit Cap pulled Low a ragged overcoat and a Button that reads a i am but in that same City a Young Mother seeks a clothing voucher at a salvation army Center to buy a hat and Scart for her 2-year-old son. She has Laith and optimism to spare. Sheila Beasley 23, said this Christmas will be More austere than those of her childhood but the glitter is not As important As the love of a child. A it will he a Happy christinas just by seeing my child Happy a she said. Quot he has everything i want him to 22/1991 sunday a Page
