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Was I that bad? Was I a spoiled brat? Sometimes in this world of selfishness and entitlement, I see it in our youth and I wonder those very questions.

I see kids daily believing that they have a right to everything, no matter if they deserve it or not. The “What about me?” and “I will do what I want” generation seems to be in full force and living adult lives as 12- and 13-year-olds. We can sometimes give up on trying to teach humility, grace and patience to this group of young adults, but recently I saw a glimpse of a few things that melted me down and I see a flicker of hope in the future.

To do a quick summary of the events I witnessed would not do them justice, and to give you a full account would violate some confidentiality. So I will give you a vanilla, generic breakdown.

A young lady who received some unexpected gifts could not say thank you enough and was truly humbled by the generosity. In a time where our youth seldom say “Thank You” or show any humility, this girl could not contain it and it was contagious to those surrounding. The spirit of Christmas grew in each adult around her, and smiles and tears danced with joy and peace as the group shared a small moment that said everything will be OK. It made the adults say, “I can do this a little bit longer.” If one child can show us they recognize the efforts made on their behalf, then I can keep on trying, myself.

A Christmas wish list can be full of desires and wants, most of which will be forgotten in a year. But on occasions, a young one’s list can be dotted with the real meaning of Christmas. Two such letters I had the privilege of reading. One did start out how you might expect, with the gimmes and wants, but then it took an opposite turn and asked for gifts for his entire family. Hmmm, maybe a child can see that others have needs as well. The second letter was a simple request — to have mom home for Christmas. It was followed by, “I know that is not going to happen, but if it could…..” Yes! She got it. The simple spirit of Christmas on a holiday wish. It would mean the world to her family and it would matter. A difficult request, but from the heart. Not a selfish desire but a true spirit-warming need for the holiday season.

There were a few other moments that almost moved me to tears, showing me that there are some unselfish kids out there. A singing of happy birthday by a crowded lunch room, a few Merry Christmases and birthday wishes at the perfect moment, added with a gift from an unexpected child at the perfect time. These are enough sometimes to bring a 41-year-old man to tears, but better yet, it gives him hope for the future.

Sometimes we give up on the younger generation and write them off as lost. But if we look hard enough and keep up the fight, we get a glimpse now and then of teachings actually getting through. This time of year can be difficult for the best of us, including those shorter and less mature than the average, but hope and faith and joy and love is not entirely lost on them. They feel it too.

Yes, sometimes they can seem very selfish and sucking the nature of our being into an abyss of endless needing more of this and that. This can be hard to overcome. They are out there, though. In small packages. Thoughtful kids that know that there are bigger things out there than what is on their Christmas wish list. Yes, the Spirit of Christmas is alive and well. Now let’s hope it is contagious enough for more young ones to catch it.

As you sit around your tree opening what was given to you, let us not forget about those less fortunate who have very little. Let us also not forget that a child was born in a manger long ago, a child that would become the savior of us all. MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!