Sometime back, MOODY MAGAZINE told the story of a guy named George Mason. His life was consumed by his work. He lived alone, which only contributed to his work addiction. Although he had few friends, each Christmas he received several invitations to spend Christmas Day with a family. He always declined the offers.
This particular Christmas was no exception. On Christmas Eve, after all his employees left, George Mason went into the office vault to get a little extra cash. To his shock, the heavy door of the walk-in safe shut behind him. Desperately, he pounded on the steel door, but no one was around to hear. Even the custodian had left early to do some last-minute Christmas shopping. The lonely miser consoled himself, “I can make it alright until morning.” But suddenly he recalled, the next day was Christmas. No one would be coming in for TWO DAYS.
He panicked as he tried to figure out if there would be sufficient oxygen. Then he remembered: The vault had recently been installed and was supposed to have a safety air-hole built in somewhere. He felt around in the dark and eventually found the emergency feature in a corner near the floor.
On the day after Christmas, early in the morning, the chief cashier arrived. As was his routine, he unlocked the vault but didn’t bother opening the door. George Mason, exhausted, faint, hungry, and thirsty, exited the human-size safe without being spotted. And by the time he went home, showered, dressed, and returned to the office, no one suspected a thing.
Life went on as usual – except for one thing: George Mason had missed Christmas. Can you believe it? He missed Christmas because the door to the safe closed on him. He’s the only person I’ve ever heard of who had that happen. But do you know what is more common? People who “miss” Christmas year after year. You understand what I mean by that, don’t you? People who buy and receive presents and decorate their homes and trees and make an appearance at the appropriate number of parties and church programs, but who miss the opportunity to savor the splendor and contemplate the mystery of God’s love made visible.
________
Rev. Greg Asimakoupoulos “The Man Who Missed Christmas,” 1999 Advent Adventure #4 a, Mainstay Church Publishing. The original source is probably “The Man Who Missed Christmas” by J. Edgar Parks, December 18, 1976 (apparently he was a syndicated writer for newspapers).