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Home  >  Christmas • Musings  >  Reflections on a Christmas Eve Hug
ChristmasMusings

Reflections on a Christmas Eve Hug

Matthew Klint Posted onDecember 25, 2017December 25, 2017 11 Comments

A very Happy Christmas to you from Germany. Sometimes we find life in the least expected places.

Last night I attended a late-night candlelight church service, a cherished tradition. But what struck me was not the familiar lessons and carols or the sermon, but an act of graciousness after the service.

On the way out, I found myself behind two older ladies who had sat in front of me during the service. The first one greeted the pastor then pointed to her friend behind her and stated, “She just lost her husband of 64 years last week.”

The pastor could have reacted in many ways. Perhaps an affirmation that she would one day see her husband again? But that requires an assumption and seems almost dismissive of her immediate need for comfort. Or a statement that everything would be okay? But that too would require an assumption and would be quite insensitive to a woman who just lost her husband.

Instead, the pastor simply gave the woman a hug and wept with her. It was an absolutely touching moment that moved me to weep as well.


I often contemplate the fragility of life, but want to focus on the power of empathy today. In my travels around the world, moments of empathy have changed my life.

Kamran, from Iran, comes to mind. I wrote about him here. He literally gave us the clothes on his back by opening his cash register and handing us money. Why? He saw we tired, hungry, and lost. We deserved nothing and he provided for our needs.

I think about my trip to Dhaka, Bangladesh earlier this year. When a long-time client heard I was going to his hometown, he arranged for his family to pick me up, show me around town, feed me, and house me.

While I ended up being chased by immigration officers and forced to return to my transit hotel, I once again was amazed at the unceasing empathy poured out upon me.

Oh, there was certainly generosity in both stories above, but the empathy was astounding.

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. In both cases, total strangers put me in their shoes, thinking of how they would feel if they were a stranger in a foreign land.

We must try to do the same thing, whenever and wherever we can. One component of the meaning of Christmas is that humanity is deeply in need of empathy. Ultimately, we will fail in some degree in our own attempts to offer it, but that should not stop us from trying. We must try harder.


The widow left with her friend last night. She had someone to spend Christmas with. Not all are so fortunate.

If there is someone you have not reconciled with, today is a great day to do it. If you know of someone who may be lonely today, why not invite them over? Put yourself in their shoes. While some might actually prefer the tranquility of solitude, most would prefer to spend this day…and most days…in fellowship with others.

We’re in Germany for Christmas this year, but if we have Christmas at my house in LA next year, I will make it a point to seek out those who have nowhere else to go and include them in our celebration.

Merry Christmas.

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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11 Comments

  1. Farhan Quasem Reply
    December 25, 2017 at 2:51 pm

    Thank you for taking the time to pen such an important reminder, Matthew. I found your blog recently and have made a point to visit it daily. I’m especially glad I did so today.

    • Matthew Reply
      December 25, 2017 at 2:56 pm

      Thank you for your kind comment Farhan.

  2. Santastico Reply
    December 25, 2017 at 3:10 pm

    Merry Christmas!!!! No matter what religion you have this is a beautiful time of the year to reflect about family and life.

  3. YYZFlyer Reply
    December 25, 2017 at 3:53 pm

    Nice reflection. It truly shows that everyone is capable of showing true empathy towards others, no matter how rich or poor someone is. We all go through hard times and we should really help one another more even if they are complete strangers, no matter how much or little we can help. I have enjoyed reading your blog since I found it earlier this year and I hope you have a very nice Christmas with your family this year!

    • Matthew Reply
      December 26, 2017 at 3:53 am

      YYZFlyer, I appreciate your readership and many comments over the last several months. Merry Christmas to you as well.

  4. A Reply
    December 25, 2017 at 6:32 pm

    Wow, this was a great post. I read BoardingArea every day (and previously Upgrd for your blog), and this is the best post I’ve read this year. (In fact, this is probably the best post I’ve read anywhere on the Internet.) Thanks, Matthew and Fröhliche Weihnachten an Ihnen und Ihre Familie!

    • Matthew Reply
      December 26, 2017 at 3:52 am

      A, thanks so much for your kinds words.

  5. JoeMart Reply
    December 25, 2017 at 7:23 pm

    The sentiment portrayed by this heartfelt essay reminded me the song: Ein bisschen Frieden.
    Ein bisschen Frieden, ein bisschen Sonne
    auf dieser Erde, auf der wir wohnen.
    Ein bisschen Frieden, ein bisschen Freude,
    ein bisschen Wärme, das wünsch ich mir.
    Ein bisschen Frieden, ein bisschen träumen
    und dass die Menschen nicht so oft weinen.
    Ein bisschen Frieden, ein bisschen Liebe,
    dass ich die Hoffnung nie mehr verlier’.

    • Matthew Reply
      December 26, 2017 at 3:54 am

      Thanks for sharing that poem!

  6. docntx Reply
    December 26, 2017 at 10:54 am

    Thank you again for sharing with us your gift of grasping what truly matters.

  7. Garrett Reply
    December 26, 2017 at 3:54 pm

    A belated merry Christmas to you and your family, and best wishes for a happy new year! Let’s all have a great one 🙂

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