Today we celebrate the Holy family…a beautiful family immersed in intimacy, fellowship and love. But not everyone has a family with this experience.
In 1994, two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics (based on biblical principles) in the public schools. They were invited to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments and a large orphanage. About 100 boys and girls who had been abandoned, abused, and left in the care of a government-run program were in the orphanage.
It was nearing the holiday season of 1994 and would be the first time the children would hear the traditional story of Christmas. The Americans old them about the young pregnant girl Mary and her husband Joseph arriving in Bethlehem and looking for a place to stay. The city was so crowded they could find no room at the inn. Seeing how uncomfortable and pregnant Mary was, the innkeeper offered them the stable, although full of animals it would be warm, and the hay would keep them comfortable. That night the baby Jesus was born; his parents Joseph and Mary placed in a manger.
Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word.
When the story was finished the Americans gave the children many things to build their own manger. While the orphans were busy assembling their manger, the adults walked among them to see if they needed any help. All went well until they reached the table where little 6-year-old Misha sat. He was already finished with his project.
As the American looked at the little boy’s manger, he was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger. Quickly, he called for the translator to ask the lad why there were two babies in the manger. Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at this completed manger scene, the child began to relate the story very seriously. For such a young boy, who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings accurately – until he came to the part where Mary put the baby Jesus in the manger. Then Misha started to ad-lib. He made up his own ending to the story as he said,
“And when Maria laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no mamma and I have no papa, so I don’t have any place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with Him. But I told Him I couldn’t, because I didn’t have a gift to give Him like everybody else did. I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. I thought maybe if I kept Him warm, that would be a good gift. So, I asked Jesus, ‘If I keep You warm, will that be a good enough gift?’ And Jesus told me, ‘If you keep Me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave Me.’ So, I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and told me I could stay with Him – for always.”
As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that splashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table and his shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed. The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon or abuse him, someone who would stay with him – ALWAYS. I’ve learned that it’s not WHAT you have in your life, but WHO you have in your life that counts.
Jesus is the one we need to have in our lives. Many of us today may feel like Misha. No family, no real connection with others.
But Jesus is inviting you into His. Do you hear Him?
Call your families, they still need mom and dad. Parents, call your children. Regardless of our circumstances, the roles in our families never stop. Our family members need our prayers, presence, and hope just like little Misha.
If there are rifts in your families and relatives, this is a perfect time for healing and forgiveness. There is no greater gift. Misha kept the baby Jesus warm – you can warm hearts and repair relationships.
I leave you with this prayer…
We bless You, O Lord, for sending Your Incarnate Son to become part of a family, so that He would experience our same worries and joys, trials and tribulations.
We ask you, Lord, to protect and watch over our family, so that in the strength of Your grace we may enjoy prosperity, possess the priceless gift of Your peace, and, as the church alive in the home, bear witness in this world to Your glory. Amen!
