RANG THE DOORBELL.� SHE CAME TO THE door, but when she saw a harmonica in my hand she ran inside. Does she not want to hear a Christmas carol? I asked myself. Why did she leave the inner door open? Maybe she went to get someone else to come and listen to me play.

Another year, and again I went to play my harmonica for my neighbors during the Christmas season. I confidently opened the storm door and stepped inside and began to play. Soon the woman returned with her husband and her mother. With a big smile on her face she motioned for me to come in and sit down.

They knew me well. I had been their neighbor for several years. Her mother was visiting for the holidays. "Can I offer you something?" she asked. "A cookie or something to drink?"

"A glass of water would be lovely," I said. They knew that I was a Seventh-day Adventist Christian and that I don't drink anything with alcohol. She brought a glass of ice water. Later she told me that she didn't want to miss my music. Although the weather was very cold outside, I felt warm just from their hospitality.

Her husband suddenly spoke up. "Alex, do you remember the first time you came to our house, about four years ago? You really frightened us. We were all in the car ready to drive away when you came walking up our driveway," he remembered. "We saw you put your hand into your pocket and pull out something shiny. In the darkness I wondered what you were reaching for. I quickly put up the window, not knowing what to expect, since we were fairly new in this neighborhood. Imagine our pleasant surprise when you took that shiny object and put it to your mouth, and out came beautiful Christmas music."

I began to laugh. "You never told me that before. Are you serious? Is that true?"

"Yes, I am serious. That's what I really thought."

We all had a good laugh, and I promised not to frighten them again. After a very friendly visit I was soon on my way to the next house.

A Muslim family lives there. I knew they did not celebrate Christmas, yet I was praying that the Lord would give me guidance on how to approach these neighbors. How could I reach them for Christ? I felt impressed to visit this family. When the woman answered my knock I said, "I know that you do not celebrate Christmas."

Still, she was friendly and invited me in. Her husband joined us. He said, "We like Christmas music, and we'd love to hear you play. We were just listening to some Christmas music before you Came. Please play for us."

I played two Christmas carols and then stayed for a short while and had a wonderful visit with them. As I was preparing to leave, the husband said, "Please pray for us, and come again anytime and let us talk more." I promised I would.

My next visit was to Dan's house. When I finished "O Come, All Ye Faithful" and "O Christmas Tree," he invited me in.

"Alex, I want to tell you something," he said. He led me into the kitchen and, as he turned over the burgers in the oven, explained that he was preparing supper for his son and himself. Dan was a board member of the Homeowners Association; I am the Neighborhood Watch coordinator. He had missed our last meeting, and I had detected that something was not quite right with him. I was glad to have found him home, because my four previous attempts to visit him had been fruitless. I had even tried, unsuccessfully, to find him at his fast-food store. He was a busy man, and I was glad to see him that night.

"Alex, I might as well tell you that I have some bad news," he began. "My wife left me a few months ago, and now my son visits me every second week. When I Come home at night, the house is so empty except when he is here. It is so hard to be alone."

My heart went out to him, and I nodded with understanding. Then I talked to him about God's love, how God sent His Son to the earth, and that is the reason we celebrate the Christmas season. I assured him that God understands and knows each one of us. He is always available in our time of need—all we have to do is ask for His comfort and help.

"Do you believe in prayer?" I asked him.

"Yes, I do. I too am a Christian," he responded.

I asked if I might pray with him. Afterward we embraced as, with tears in his eyes, he thanked me for my prayer. I reminded him that we all need to pray to God for strength and guidance every day, whether life is going well or whether we are having problems. He heartily agreed and said, "Alex, you continue to pray for me, and I will pray for you." I left his home and prayed as I walked to the next door. "Lord, help me to know what to do for Dan. I may not be able to mend his home, but You can!"

At the next house my neighbor said, "Those neighbors over there are waiting for you. They have lots of company, but they all want to hear you play your harmonica, so go on in." She was right about lots of people—there were almost 30 people waiting for me.

"Alex, we're so glad you came to play again," said the host. She offered me some cookies and drink, but since I can't play a harmonica while eating or drinking, I politely declined and began to play. Everyone was very appreciative. As I left I shouted happily, "Merry Christmas! And don't forget the Christ in Christmas!"

Among the many others I played for that night were Craig and Joan, a couple in their 40s with a son about 13 years of age. They had just bought their house, and it needed some renovation. The contractor they hired happened to be a Seventh-day Adventist. With two of their close neighbors as Seventh-day Adventists, they had been exposed to the Adventist Church and seemed to be receptive. They readily welcomed me into their home and attentively listened to the melodies.

When I finished playing for them Joan said, "We'd like to go to your church sometime, but right now it would be hard. You see, we have two elderly women who stay with us, and one of the ladies broke her back. We just can't get out much."

After a short pause I responded, "I have an idea that might work. If you folks cannot come to church, how would it be if the church came to your home? We have a very structured Bible-centered study program called Sabbath school. I can get you some study guides, and then we can come to your home every week and study together." They seemed happy with the plan. We started a branch Sabbath school in their home in January.

I know the Lord has heard my daily prayer as I ask Him for spiritual guidance. I ask Him to help me know how I can be a witness to the people who are my neighbors. He has answered this prayer in a very real and wonderful way. I have just had the most wonderful Christmas of my life.

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Alexander S. Fulop is retired from State University of New York, Health Science Center, Brooklyn, New York.