BrandFresh Magazine

Over 25 years ago, during the Christmas Season of 1993, the late Monsignor Richard Albert told the story of ‘Miss Lena,’ a Jamaican senior citizen living in substandard conditions in the inner city, who taught him a valuable lesson about the “Real Meaning of Christmas”.

According to Father Albert, as he took his leave of Miss Lena after his usual visit with her, he said she assured him that she would be praying for him and “all the poor.” Then she gave him a small, crumpled piece of old newspaper and when he opened it, saw that it contained six $2 bills and a note which said: “Please buy a gift for someone.”

Over the years, every Christmas Season, I am reminded of this story told by the late, inimitable, Father Richard Albert and marvel at its simple, yet profound message.  Some 20 years later, during his final Christmas among the living, Father Albert still remembered Miss Lena and reiterated that: “Her gesture reminded me that Christmas is all about giving.

“It does not matter what or how much we give but The  Great Message of Christmas is that what is important in life, is that we give to each other.”

May the true reason for the Season guide all your hopes, dreams and actions this and every Christmas Season.

Best wishes to you and yours for a Safe & Happy holiday.