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I am one of a small team of volunteers who offer pastoral care at a resource centre for the homeless and others. Before going each week, I pray that my contribution will make a difference to somebody.

One day, as my prayer progressed, I realized that I needed to be clearer about my purpose for volunteering. If I was called to serve in pastoral care, what was my goal? It couldn’t be to listen to just any story — there had to be a spiritual element. I should help bring the conversation to a more spiritual level.

I decided to ask each one the question, what is the significance of Christmas to you?

During my two and a half hour shift, I may have listened to only six people. All gave very thoughtful responses that included the significance of Jesus’ birth and life.

One said that Jesus was the best person who ever lived. Another spoke of the importance of the commandments and other rules in the Bible that told us how to live and act, but said that Jesus’ teachings to love your neighbour as yourself was the most significant, because it changed the world.

Another spoke of the importance of forgiveness in her life; she saw how her attitude of forgiveness was helping her boyfriend to accept Jesus – meaning God, to her — as part of his life. He was trying to be a better person. Every day, she was prayerfullyacknowledging his spiritual goodness. I thought – She was being a pastoral care worker for him!

I remember explaining the concept of legions of angels to two members of this ‘family.’ I said that angels were God’s thoughts coming to each of us – there were thousands of them always present to guide us. When one woman expressed a concern about her boyfriend’s actions, I mentioned the angels, and said God was speaking to her friend right now — and that she could know that her friend could hear the message God had prepared for him. She loved that idea!

One man, a great thinker, explained to me in detail the thought process he uses to overcome anger.It was all based on the teachings of Jesus – love your enemies; turn the other cheek; forgive; allow no boundaries to love; be grateful for the good you have; and let God take care of the situation! I thought, Wow – he is pastoring me! I wouldn’t have been able to tell it in a better way.

These experiences have awakened in me an expectation of enjoying more conversations that have spiritual significance. Good questions open thought. 

Ginny Chadwick lives in Victoria and is a member of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Victoria. 

You can read more articles from our Interfaith blog, Spiritually Speaking