A CHILD'S VIEW

Snowflakes softly falling
Upon your window play,
Your blankets snug around you,
into sleep you drift away.

I bend to gently kiss you,
when I see that on the floor
There's a letter, neatly written,
I wonder who it's for.

I quietly unfold it
making sure you're still asleep,
It's a Christmas list for Santa--
one my heart will always keep.

It started just as always
with the toys seen on TV,
A new watch for your father
and a winter coat for me.

But as my eyes read on
I could see that deep inside
There were many things you wished for
that your loving heart would hide.

You asked if your friend Molly
could have another dad;
It seems her father hits her
and it makes you very sad.

Then you asked dear Santa
if the neighbors down the street
Could find a job, that he might have
some food, and clothes, and heat.

You saw a family on the news
whose house had blown away;
"Dear Santa, send them just one thing
a place where they can stay."

"And Santa, those four cookies
that I left you for a treat,
Could you take them to the children
who have nothing else to eat?"

"Do you know that little bear I have--
the one I love so dear?
I'm leaving it for you to take
to Africa this year."

"And as you fly your reindeer
on this night of Jesus' birth,
Could your magic bring to everyone
goodwill and peace on earth?"

"There's one last thing before you go--
so grateful I would be--
If you'd smile at Baby Jesus
in the manger by our tree."

I pulled the letter close to me;
I felt it melt my heart.
Those tiny hands had written
what no other could impart.

"And a little child shall lead them,"
was whispered in my ear
As I watched you sleep on Christmas Eve
while Santa Claus was here.

Author Unknown

December 24, 2003

A Light In The Darkness

Read: Luke 2:25-33

I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. —John 8:12

Bible In One Year: 1 John 3-5

An artist was painting a winter scene. Snow blanketed the ground and the pine trees. Night was falling, and the landscape was enveloped in semi-darkness. A log cabin was barely visible in the shadows. The whole scene was one of gloom.

Then the artist used some yellow tints to put the cheerful glow of a lamp in one of the cabin windows. That lone light, its golden rays reflecting on the snow, completely transformed the impression given by the painting. In contrast to the cold darkness of the surrounding forest, that light in the window created a warm feeling of love and security.

What happened on that canvas is a striking portrayal of one of the most dramatic events of all history. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem's stable, a light was placed in this sin-darkened world. The apostle John testified, "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men" (John 1:4).

During this week, as we commemorate the birth of the Lord Jesus, let's be mindful of how much brighter this world is because He came into it. Jesus declared, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12).

How has Jesus brightened your life? —Richard De Haan

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,
The Light of the world is Jesus;
Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in,
The Light of the world is Jesus. —Bliss

Without the light of Jesus, we would be in the dark about God.