Open Christmas theme topic.
A Gift Not Broken
by Deborah McDermott
Jimmy smiled as he drifted out of sleep. The tiny hand in his felt so real. Had God answered his prayer? His eyes shot open, but the only other person in the room was his Mom.
She hugged him. “Merry Christmas! You look like you were having a wonderful dream.”
“I was but… The only Christmas gift I want is a brother but God’s not listening.”
“God doesn’t always answer in the way we expect. Now get ready. You’re in for a surprise.”
Jimmy sighed. The ‘surprise’ was probably what they usually did around the Christmas tree, but not so. Instead, they went to Mercy, a home for the broken. There his parents introduced him to a little boy named Dom.
Jimmy gasped. The child’s clawlike hands were similar to his own.
“Your brother,” his parents confirmed.
Jimmy whooped for joy. Dom was not a broken gift. He was perfect.
What would it be like?
by Lynda Otter
I have often pondered on what it would have been like to have been present at the very first Christmas. What would it have been like to be with the shepherds when the angels appeared? Just a normal night looking after the sheep, maybe sitting around a fire having a meal. Then—WOW!!! Scary but amazing, especially that the angels came to us – the lowest, the despised. Then to be so overcome we just ran to the town to find him.
Or maybe if I had been one of the wise men, seeing the star and remembering the prophecies. The excitement, the quick preparations for a journey not knowing how long it would take but determined to follow the star. Deciding on the gifts that would be … just right. Then actually finding him and being able to do nothing but fall down and worship. What would it have been like?
He Came
by Ray Burton
From majestic heights He saw the sin, the pain, the cost
But still; He came.
The Son of God, sent for a virgin’s birth, in some smelly shed
But still; He came
Born to be different and misunderstood
But still; He came
To be rejected by man, as a Master too hard
But still; He came
To be rejected by leaders as a threat, a heretic, a blasphemer
But still; He came
Lashes aplenty and thorns on His head
But still; He came
Destined for the cross and our sins to bare
But still; He came
Undeserving love, rejected by many
But still; He came
The gift of His Spirit, can now dwell within
Because He came
Eternal life for those who believe
Oh Lord, we’re so glad, you came.