|
One of my favorite Christmas stories is called, "The Gift of a Child" by M.A. Matthews. The author describes looking out the living room window that faced the church one icy day, as snow was swirling through the air, to watch the workmen who were just completing construction of the annual nativity scene in the churchyard. School had let out for the day, and a number of children collected around the manger scene. They didn't stay long, however, because of the cold. After taking a quick look, they hurried away - all except for one small girl about six years of age. "The wind lashed at her bare legs and caused her coat to fly open in the front, but she was oblivious to the weather...All her attention was riveted on the statues before her. Which one, I couldn't tell...I saw her remove her blue woolen headscarf. The wind quickly knotted her hair into a wild tangle, but she didn't seem to notice that either...Lovingly, she wrapped her scarf around the statue of the baby Jesus...then kissed him on the cheek. Satisfied, she skipped on down the street, her hair frosted with tiny diamonds of ice." Through a little child Christmas had come once again.
Prayer: Sometimes we get discouraged, O God, in this troubled world, but then along comes Christmas to remind us that you are still in charge. O Lord, restore our faith, hope, and love, through this incredible story of Christmas. Transform our negative attitudes, so that we live in excitement and expectation. Teach us to stand on tiptoe, listening for your voice and looking for the evidence of your presence. Comfort those who grieve. Encourage us out of our despair. Be our companion in loneliness. Give healing to those who are ill. Let love break out like an epidemic. Lord, we give thanks with all our hearts for the real message of Christmas, that you have come among us that we may live with you forever. Through the One who was born at Bethlehem, Jesus our Redeemer, Amen. |
