For most people, the holiday season is a time for great joy. It’s a season spent with family, gathered around the Christmas tree, sipping hot chocolate, opening presents and anxiously awaiting a visit from Old Saint Nick. But for our neighbors who attend Church at the Square, Christmas can look a little different.

Recently, I got the chance to talk with several of our neighbors about what their Christmas morning would look like this year. What I found out was that Christmas morning would look like every other morning for these neighbors. After waking up in the homeless shelter and gathering their belongings, most would then spend the day waiting in line outside the shelter for the daily admission process to begin. This process is the same, whether it’s sunny and nice outside, or cold and rainy. Even after they receive the voucher, it could take several months to find an apartment or landlord that will accept it. In the midst of this, these neighbors shared with me about jobs they had not yet found, or where the best food pantries were, or where to ask for handouts.

For nearly all of the neighbors I talked to, Christmas Day would be just another day of seeking, searching, and surviving for the next day.

Despite all of this, Christmas at Church at the Square will not be without a spirit of joy.

Church members will likely arrive early, before the service starts at 11 AM. To get there, some will walk carrying a backpack or a black garbage bag filled with all of their earthly belongings. Others will arrive by bus, from neighborhoods near and far. Others come by bicycle.

No matter how they come, when they arrive they’ll spend time catching up with one another and then worshipping under the leadership of Rev. Jonathan Grace. After the service, they will break bread together.

It’s always fascinating to meet these neighbors. All are from different backgrounds, histories, and demographics. And all of them have a story.

One man, we will call him “Matthew”, has been unemployed for a long time, lives in a shelter and has worked diligently been seeking a change. Just a couple of months ago, he did find a job – what a success in very challenging circumstances! Now he seeks an apartment that he can afford and save up for application fees, background check costs, apartment deposit and the first month’s rent. "John" is making progress in a slow journey up a slippery slope out of homelessness.

Now, “Mark” is a different story. He is such a friendly, outgoing guy with chiseled, handsome features. We have noticed Luke was missing several times in the past, weeks of absences. When he returns, it was because of hospitalizations or incarcerations. Luke also lives in a shelter. Even then, Luke is a personality and member of our community who contributes an atmosphere of love, worship and acceptance.

Next is “Luke”, a quiet, gentleman who always comes every Sunday, works as much as he can. Shortly he will be away for us as he has surgery, recovery and physical therapy. He has spent months gathering funds, applying for medical services and finding a place for physical therapy after surgery. After the surgery, he can begin again to seek a job and then seek housing. When not hospitalized or in rehab, Mark lives in a shelter.

Finally there is “John”, a different kind of man from a different demographic profile. He came as a volunteer, not a member of our church or any other church. He had heard of CitySquare, wanted to volunteer and discovered CATS. He has been the most dedicated volunteer over the past year, traveling a considerable distance, supporting all aspects of this ministry and is now a member of Church At The Square. He is a businessman who has great talents in the commercial real estate industry. He exemplifies a true calling to work, reach out, council and mentor to our congregants and neighbors.

If you were to ask me why I would want to be part of Highland Park United Methodist Church’s partnership with CitySquare and Church at the Square, it’s that I see the hope, empowerment, love and outreach that occurs each and every Sunday. I see how it sustains our neighbors as they cope with the challenges of their daily life.

These stories call me into service. They challenge my faith and me. Most of all, it gives me hope that systemic poverty can be changed in our city. Every week, Church at the Square is planting seeds of hope and changing lives in South Dallas.

And in a season filled with the spirit of joy and hope, I can’t think of any better place to be on Christmas Sunday than with my friends and neighbors at Church at the Square.