Rich Is What You Have Beside You
The story is told about four young American soldiers who had been on the front lines of battle for some time in World War II. They were sent back away from the fighting to a small French village for a little R & R. When they arrived safely in the village, they suddenly realized that it was Christmas Eve and they began to discuss how they would like to spend Christmas. They had passed an orphanage on the way into town and they decided they would like to be with the children on this special day. So they went out and bought all kinds of toys and candy and clothing, food and books and games, and early the next morning, they showed up at the front door of the orphanage with wonderful Christmas presents for all the children.
The orphanage director was pleased and all the children were delighted as they opened their gifts. All the children that is, except for one little girl who stood quietly off to the side. She appeared to be 5 or 6 years old and her face looked so very sad. One of the American soldiers noticed that she was not participating, and he asked the orphanage director about the little girl. “O, bless her heart,” said the director, “We just got her last week. Both of her parents were killed in a car wreck. There was no one to take her in, so we brought her here.”
The soldier went over to the little girl and gently said to her, “Its Christmas morning and we have wonderful Christmas presents here: toys, clothes, candy, food, books, and puzzles. Which would you like? What do you want most for Christmas?” And the little girl said, “I want somebody to hold me.”
God understood that need then just as He does now. He cares so much that He sent His Son Jesus to be in the manger so He could hold us in His loving care today and forever. All we need to do is come to the manger and look into the loving eyes of God and we will know that He has held our hearts in a special way.
Holy Father, as we near the manger today we hesitate to look inside because we might feel unworthy of your Holy love. We might feel the need to explain the pain and sadness in our hearts and do not want you to see the tears that are welling up inside. It is when we take the first step that we begin the journey to free our souls from the pains of the past. It is at the manger and at the foot of the cross that we finally understand the depth of Your Holy Grace. Bid us come to You, O God, and we will know peace. In the blessed name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
This has been Rev. Jim Massey. Join me again next week as we draw closer to the birth of Jesus.
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