The Light in the Darkness: A Belated Christmas Story from Kensington

"Truly, I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40

I will never forget a Christmas moment in Kensington that etched itself onto my soul. I was visiting the precious people who live on the streets near Huntington Station, carrying water, bananas, and small gifts. Unlike my usual visits, this time, I also carried the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke, printed on one side of a handout, with my own letter of love and reflection on the other.

These men and women, each "made in the image of God and worthy of the highest dignity and honor and respect and love," were going about their daily struggle for survival. They were panhandling, engaging in prostitution, and desperately trying to stave off the agonizing symptoms of drug withdrawal. Yet, even in this harsh reality, they graciously accepted the small offerings.

Click here for a savable/printable PDF file of the above image.

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3

I offered each person a copy of the Christmas story. Most accepted politely, a few declined, and I honored every response. Then there was her. I had known this woman for some time. She stood on a street corner, waiting to be picked up. I offered her water, a banana, and the Christmas story. "Yes, absolutely!" she exclaimed in reference to the Christmas story, her voice filled with a sudden spark of joy. A twinkle appeared in her eye as she tucked the handout into her coat pocket, and then, in the same moment, she climbed into a car driven by a man she had never met. She was off to provide a "sexual service," driven by the desperate need to buy the drugs her addicted body demanded.

The profound depth of her faith struck me in the days that followed.

Christian faith, drug addiction, and prostitution
can exist within the same person,
even in the bleak landscape of Kensington.

It’s a paradox, a mystery of grace. You might not understand it, but a person can be a devout Christian, filled with genuine faith, and still find themselves trapped in circumstances that seem to leave them no choice but to engage in activities otherwise seen as non-Christian. This faith, as Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, is not something we earn or achieve through our own actions: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."2 It is a gift, freely given by God, even amidst the struggles and brokenness of life. As one dear friend, now living with her Savior, once said to me shortly after inviting me to her place of daily worship as a devout Roman Catholic, "It's time to go humiliate myself."

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:163

It is by God's grace that He accepts the sincere faith of this woman, a woman who sees no other way to survive than to sell her body. So, please, never assume that someone on the street corner is wholly lost. That individual might possess a faith stronger than you could imagine. Christian faith, drug addiction, and the struggles that accompany addiction can coexist as God works His healing. Let us never forget this. Let us remember the woman with the twinkling eye and the Christmas story tucked away in her pocket. Let us not forget that even in the darkest corners, the light of Christ can flicker and burn.

Let us pray for the people of Kensington, their healing, their hope, and their redemption. Let us pray that they may know the love of God, a love that embraces them even in their brokenness. And let us pray that in those circumstances where their knowledge of God's redemption and Love and faith in us as His Children far outweighs our own, we have the grace to learn from them: the addicted, the 'prostitute,' the dealer. And do not think that it cannot happen that we learn about Christian faith from these amazing human beings Created and Saved by God. 

The Whispers of Kensington: A Call to Action

 Friends,

Our nation is often consumed by the clamor of political discourse, and it's easy to get lost in the noise. But today, I want to pull back the curtain and invite you into a world that often goes unseen, a world that whispers for our attention: Kensington.

For eight years, I've walked the streets of Kensington, a neighborhood grappling with the intertwined crises of addiction, homelessness, and a tragically broken system of care. I've met incredible people – resilient, resourceful, and deeply human – trapped in circumstances that would crush the strongest spirit. Their stories have become a part of me, and I've shared them with you, hoping to ignite a spark of compassion and inspire action.

But recently, my voice has been quieter. Life has dealt its share of blows. The past year has brought the devastating loss of people I held close, losses that echoed through my soul and silenced my pen. Grief, raw and unrelenting, took center stage.

And if I'm honest, there was something else. Discouragement. It felt like my words about Kensington were falling on deaf ears. When I ventured into the realm of national politics, the responses, both positive and negative, flooded in. But the silence surrounding Kensington, the place etched on my heart, was a heavy weight.

This disconnect brought a stark realization: I haven't been sharing the Kensington story with the consistency and passion it deserves. That changes now. I'm recommitting to amplifying the voices of Kensington, to bringing their experiences to the forefront of our collective consciousness.

Though Christmas has passed, the needs of Kensington remain. As I recommit to writing about Kensington I will share a long overdue Christmas Story of hope and resilience. These stories transcend the tinsel and carols and speak to the fundamental human need for connection and compassion. 

I share these stories primarily through the written word, rarely using photos or videos. This is a deliberate choice. I believe in the power of words to paint vivid pictures, to evoke empathy, and to demand engagement. I want you to read these stories, to let them sink in, to allow them to challenge your perceptions and stir your soul.

I deeply respect the work of those who document Kensington with sensitivity and grace. There's one individual in particular whose approach resonates deeply with me. He possesses a rare gift: the ability to capture the humanity of Kensington, not through the lens of exploitation but through the lens of respect and love. His video interviews are conducted with professionalism and genuine care, honoring the dignity and stories of each person he encounters. His work is truly remarkable, a testament to the power of compassion in cinematic storytelling. I hope to collaborate with him more closely in the future, weaving together the power of words and visuals to create a more complete and impactful picture of this complex community.

My silence has ended. The whispers of Kensington will be heard. But I can't do this alone. I need you. I need your support in three crucial ways:

1. Pray for Kensington: Prayer is a powerful force. Pray for the individuals struggling on the streets, for the organizations working tirelessly to provide aid, and for a shift in our collective consciousness that will lead to real, lasting change. Pray for me, that I may have the strength and wisdom to continue this work.

2. Invest in Kensington: Financial support is essential. Your contributions, no matter the size, directly impact the lives of those in Kensington. They provide food, shelter, medical care, and pathways to recovery. They offer a lifeline of hope in a place where hope often feels extinguished. Here is a link to my donation options page.

3. Join the Movement: If you feel a calling to do more, consider joining me in Kensington. Your presence, willingness to listen, and helping hands are invaluable. Whether you can volunteer your time, offer your skills, or simply share the stories of Kensington with your network, your involvement can make a tangible difference. 

Kensington is not just a place on a map; it's a microcosm of the challenges facing our society. It's a call to action, a reminder that we are all connected and that we all have a role to play in creating a more just and compassionate world. Join me. Let's amplify Kensington's whispers and turn them into a chorus of hope.

In Him,

Chris