Longtime fans of my 2005 novel "Christmas Jars" know that from
time to time I receive stories of real people putting the book into
action. No longer just characters on a page, the spirit of the
Christmas jar has become a tangible tradition. Moms, dads, children,
offices, schools, churches, people of all races and religions giving
jars away to people in need.
What readers might not know is that 2009 has seen the tradition become
a movement. It has simmered in previous years, only threatening to
become mainstream. But now, five years after my family gave away our
first jar and four years since the release of the novella, the
spirit of the Christmas jar has boiled into a national experience. I
have already received more miraculous stories this Christmas season
than in any previous year, and the vast majority of jars have not yet
been given away.
Picking favorite Christmas-jar miracles is like picking a favorite
child; sometimes you want to, but it's simply impossible. Now as
Christmas approaches, I'm humbled to share just a few of the standouts.
May they inspire you to begin your own Christmas jar. The following are e-mails sent through www.christmasjars.com:
Alvin, Texas:
My husband and I have had a very rough year. First, hurricane Ike
destroyed our home. Then, in May, my husband had an emergency quadruple
bypass operation. We have two young boys, ages 9 and 4. My husband lost
a lot of hours at his second job and we have been struggling. Today, I
was at the end of my rope. I am a Christian. I love the Lord and know
that He is in control, but today, I was feeling very sorry for myself.
I didn't have enough money to pay the water bill, let alone presents
for our children for Christmas. I was leaving work (my church is also
my employer) and when I got to my car, there was a gift on my front
seat. It was a jar with around $130 inside. Attached to the jar was a
note that said "may you be blessed this Christmas." I sat in my car and
sobbed. I have never felt the presence of Christ more than I did at
that moment. I cannot wait until we are back on our feet so that I may
touch someone's life the way I was touched today. What a remarkable,
miraculous gift.
Elko, Nev.:
My husband was terribly injured in a motorcycle accident on Nov.
5, 2009. Although his back and neck were broken, he miraculously was
not paralyzed. He also suffered severe facial lacerations. He was flown
by air ambulance to our local hospital, and then to a bigger hospital
in another city. While we have good insurance with his job, the medical
costs of meeting deductibles and paying for what wasn't covered, along
with cost of time being off work added up quickly. Family and friends
organized a huge benefit, with a dinner, auction and fundraising
rodeo. We received our Christmas jar, along with the book, from someone
who just stopped by the dinner and gave it to one of the organizers. It
is such a beautiful and inspiring gesture to know that someone we didn't
even know, who presumably read about our situation in the local paper,
took the time to care.
Las Vegas, Nev.:
I am a pregnant, single mother, with a son who has autism. As many
families of the spectrum, we have a broken home. It's hard spiritually
as well as financially. We were to have a meager Christmas, as I am
pregnant, and saving for the birth of my second child. I opened the
front door, to take my son to one of his many appointments, and to my
surprise found a gift bag waiting for us. There was a simple note that
said, "Have a very merry Christmas." In the bag we found a jar filled
with change, dollar bills and a book "Christmas Jars." I took the
money as a sign to get my beautiful son the best Christmas he would
remember. I thank the angel that made our holiday so the much better!!
Amarillo, Texas:
My husband lost his job on Oct. 30, and we were fortunate enough to
have money to pay the bills for November, but nothing after that except
for a small amount from my part-time job. My husband was finally able
to find a job, but it was in Plano, Texas. That caused us to have to
uproot our family from our friends, school and church. My children and
I were staying here alone until the end of the semester, and our first
paycheck was not due until Dec. 18. The money was trickling away
especially with the unexpected home improvements necessary to sell our
home. We have gone to school with the same group of children for five
years, and every time we have a half-day we all go celebrate at Chuck E
Cheese's. This will be the last time my son will see his friends all
together outside of school, and my husband and I were really trying to
figure out how that was going to be paid for with all the other things
that have to be taken care of. Tonight we were talking about the move
and how we wanted to be together as a family again, and the doorbell
rang. We opened the door, and on the mat was a jar of coins and a book.
We were really curious. I had never heard of the book or act before. We
are so blessed this season. I have been really depressed lately and
have felt very disconnected from friends and family due to the changes
that are taking place in my life. I have been shown more times these
past few weeks how much we are loved and wanted and definitely how
blessed we are to have people around us who care for us and who love
God and want to show us His love and theirs. Thank you from the bottom
of my heart.
Stephens City, Va.:
We are a struggling family of six: myself, Andy and our four children,
Cat, 8; Teagan; 6; Bella, 3; and Joshua 1. I was laid off last May, Andy
just lost his job last Friday. Last night, Monday Dec. 14, while I
was at work, we received a Christmas jar. Andy was in the kitchen, and
there was a knock at the front door. Our oldest daughter, Cat, didn't
wait for Andy to open it, which would normally make us mad, but not
this time. Someone driving a white car handed her the book, and a jar
full of change. When I came home from work Andy showed it to me and it
made me cry. I am halfway done with the book, should finish it today,
and we plan to give away a jar ourselves now.
Jason Wright is the author of New York Times bestsellers "Christmas
Jars," "Christmas Jars Reunion" and "The Wednesday Letters." He's also a political commentator
whose editorials have appeared in newspapers nationwide. Jason has
appeared on FoxNews, CNN and dozens of local and national radio
shows. He lives with his wife, Kodi, and their four children in the
Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. He can be reached at www.jasonfwright.com.