Today at St. Jude’s in Beirut…

Today, I caught some festive cheer at St. Jude’s in Beirut–where a holiday party, in conjunction with visits by Santa and a magician, got the kids excited about the upcoming holidays. Maybe it was the sugar from the cake, but the kids today seemed extra hyper and happy–sharing their toys, dancing to music, and smiling up a storm…

This evening, as I left the playroom and navigated my way home through the dark streets of Beirut, I heard Christmas carols being sung in the distance. Following the unexpected singing to its source, I found myself standing near the open door of a Baptist Church–where the congregation was singing a beautiful and solemn rendition of Silent Night. From the doorway, an old man gestured for me to come closer and step inside, but I preferred to listen from the curb, where I couldn’t stop thinking about the kids at St. Jude’s–and wishing that this coming new year is a healthier one for all of them…