Remembering “Christmas Eve at St. Vincent’s…”

Dec 24th Remembering “Christmas Eve at St. Vincent’s…”

“Christmas EVE – – EXTRA SPECIAL”

This is a real old PHOTO – when we were in the “German St. Vincent’s Orphanage” – at 7401 Florissant Road, 63121 – just in case you would like to take a tour of the Place – and or volunteer – as they always have activities requiring some help with taking the children to different events.

There is a “CHRISTMAS MASS” and refreshments afterwards for those attending this evening – as some will travel miles to be a part of what they did as small children – way back in the 1940’s and 1950’s.

“Christmas Eve at St. Vincent’s…”

Do you remember what we did, or even WHAT you were doing, and even if you were alive – so far back in TIME… when we were all little children, way back and into the 1940’s and some of my friends even back into the 1930’s – just like ME?

As you look at this scene of our procession of bringing the “Infant Jesus” to the crib area and placing HIM there to rest, on this evening – certain children were chosen to partake in this each year – and this completed the four weeks of ADVENT services – and after this – we would then proceed to the class rooms to finish this day of special activities.

This was German St. Vincent Orphan Home, Normandy, Missouri… and we had the Christmas Eve serveries before going to the Class Rooms to see what “SANTA” could have brought to us – and the best part of all this – would be, our PARENTS would come to the ORPHANAGE the next day – to take us home for a couple of weeks – and that was the best part of CHRISTMAS – back then, for ME.

Remembering, that – there were some children that never got to go HOME with their PARENTS – they may have lived out of STATE – or had other things to do – but, as I remember back – some children never, ever receive “VISITS” from any of their FAMILY – and until just now – thinking about a child never seeing their own FAMILY – on the HOLIDAYS – and not even on their BIRTHDAYS – I am surprised that the “ORPHANAGE” did not make arrangements for them – in some way or the other, to have some kind of special VISITS or other kinds of OUTINGS – “How do you let a small child feel so lonely – – with never a personal VISIT – from someone?”

Now, thinking back and after having seen a story about a couple that did adopt a small girl, from a foreign Country – the child was never held as a small infant – and this made it very hard for the adopting family to get any kind of a loving response from the child, as she was growing older – It is just so hard for me to think – how cruel we are with our children – not having the time to LOVE them from the very first minute, that they are born to us.

Without LOVE from our Almighty Creator – we would never have received the ONE only beloved “SON born to Mary” – to redeem us. It is LOVE one for another – that makes the difference, in who we really are! D.V.