LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — You’ve probably driven by Hotel Louisville a hundred times and never given much thought to what happens inside.
But on the second floor, this Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, families are developing new traditions — and celebrating together, some for the first time in years.
For Jasmine Spencer, this Christmas is about healing.
“They’re doing wonderful,” she said. “I’ve got them back now. And we are able to enjoy our first Christmas together as a family.”
Jasmine, her husband Gil, and their four children are spending Christmas together for the first time in four years.
Wayside Christian Mission filled Hotel Louisville with families on Dec. 24, 2025, to give them a space to celebrate the holidays together. (WDRB photo)
“These are my babies,” she said.
A year and three months clean, Jasmine says life has finally started to come back together.
“I’m doing wonderful,” she said. “Very good.”
The scars of life don’t always show on the outside. The last time this family spent Christmas Eve together, their youngest child was just two years old. Now, that same child is teaching lessons on joy.
“Oh, it’s wonderful,” Jasmine said. “They’ve been out of school since the weekend, and we’ve been all together, just enjoying each other’s company. It’s been a challenge because they have so much energy and excitement for Christmas. But being here at Wayside during this transition — it’s been wonderful.”
Wayside Christian Mission fills Hotel Louisville with families like the Spencers each year — for Thanksgiving and Christmas — offering a warm place, a hot meal, and a reason to hope.
The sounds of the season echo through the building: volunteers singing carols, the rustle of teddy bears waiting to be hugged, and the laughter of children unwrapping gifts from a man with a beard who tells stories of a child in a manger.
In the back of the room, Jasmine’s family takes it all in.
“It’s been a wonderful Christmas for my babies,” Gil said. “They’re ready to celebrate together and enjoy all the festivities.”
Because someone cared enough to give them that chance — to give them hope — a family is whole again this Christmas.
Top Stories:
Louisville wrestler lands role with Sylvester Stallone on 'Tulsa King'
'He's my baby' | Neighbors rally to save miniature horse after Louisville ordinance change
Man arrested after 50 pounds of meth found wrapped as holiday gifts in Jeffersontown
Grand jury chooses not to indict suspect in fatal Kentucky State University shooting
Man missing 29 hours found in Oldham County by search teams with thermal camera
Copyright 2025 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
