By JoAnn Biren
Murray County News Staffwriter
The celebration of Christmas began over 2000 years ago when a Virgin named Mary gave birth to a Child who was named Jesus. In Luke, Chapter 2 one can read: And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David, a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.
Christian people follow the teachings of this baby, and children learn early that to do unto others as you would want others to do onto you is how all should live. Some just mouth the words, others live the words. Mary Gaul is one who lives what she believes. She never wanted people to eat alone on Christmas Day. She understood what Luke meant, that Jesus, the Messiah was for all people. She vowed that one day she would host a Christmas dinner that included all those who had no family around for this very special holiday.
Her dream became reality on Christmas Day 2001 when she put a plan into action with the help of her husband Richard, now deceased, and her family and friends. Her daughter Donna explains, “Mom had been saying for quite some time it really bothered her that some people have no one to spend Christmas with; this was the real reason she started that dinner! After her mom passed away in August of 2001, she decided to rent St. Ann’s hall and cook Christmas dinner for those who were going to be alone that year.”
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