How a Christmas knock at the door changed Rob Parsons' life forever
By 
Rob Parsons2024-11-27T11:20:00
When a homeless man arrived on his doorstep one Christmas, Rob Parsons never dreamed that he would stay for more than 45 years. Or that Ronnie would impact their life so significantly
Two days before Christmas and the doorbell wasn’t working properly.
I sometimes imagine how different our lives would have been if the man outside hadn’t decided to bang on the door, or we had chosen not to answer, believing it to be the return of the small boy we had generously rewarded the previous evening just to stop him murdering ‘Once in royal David’s city’.
But answer it we did.
Related articles
-
OpinionBirth rates are falling. Christians must ‘go forth and multiply’
A new UN report says all but three countries in the world will have below replacement levels of reproduction by the end of the century. God’s command to ”increase in number” was never meant to be an optional extra, says Miriam Cates. It’s time that Christians took it seriously again
-
OpinionFamily breakdown is at a record high. It’s time the Church fought for marriage again
Nearly half of all teenagers now grow up in homes without both parents present. Harry Benson says Christians need to champion marriage as the foundation for commitment, dependable love and stable families
-
OpinionWhy you should share your testimony before it’s finished
Don’t wait until healing comes or God answers your prayer to share your story, says Emma Hide. There’s profound power in honest stories of choosing trust, faith, and hope while still in the struggle
More from Features
-
Magazine FeaturesAre revival fires spreading again? We asked 18 Christian leaders
With reports of renewal gathering pace, Christian leaders from a variety of churches and locations across the UK report on what they’re witnessing
-
Magazine FeaturesStop asking God to join your plan. Wait for the Spirit instead
Jesus’ call is clear: Go into all the world. But first – wait. It’s a strange command that echoes through scripture, where fire and wind signal God’s presence but never arrive according to our schedule. As Pentecost approaches, Tyler Staton invites us to rediscover the surprising rhythm of Spirit-led mission
-
Magazine FeaturesIs revival coming to Scotland? These leaders think so
Is holy rain beginning to fall in Scotland? This is no dreich day in the Highlands, reports Sharmila Meadows, rather, it’s the sound of renewal. Churches are seeing congregations grow as more and more people turn to Christ
- Issues
- Topics A-Z
- Writers A-Z
- © 2025 Premier Christianity
Site powered by Webvision Cloud