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What is it about Christmas and children?
Why at Christmas are our hearts so tender toward children, especially helpless suffering children?
How is it, that Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is produced every year by so many live theaters, the big moneymaker that subsidizes all other productions through the year? Apparently audiences, many of whom make seeing the play an annual family tradition, never tire of watching the desperate plight of the Cratchit family, and especially that of sickly Tiny Tim, melt the cold heart and open the tightly held wallet of Ebenezer Scrooge. Redemption is beautiful!
The explosive growth of Operation Christmas Child exemplifies our passion for needy children as they distribute 10 million shoeboxes this year. The Marine Corps does Toys for Tots. The hospital's Children's Dept. is abuzz with special activities trying to make Christmas the best it can be under the circumstances. Walmart stores team up with the Salvation Army for the Fill the Truck toy drive.
But why?
Is it because we have children and are thankful for the privileged circumstances they enjoy? Is it the awe and wonder in the eyes of children that renews our own awe and wonder of the first Christmas?
Is it because Jesus had such a soft heart for children, or because Jesus pointed to the faith of a child as a model for our response to our loving God. Or is it because the God of the universe chose to reveal Himself as a baby, born into very difficult circumstance Himself. He didn't have to, but He did.
Like Jesus, we must be open to loving and redeeming needy children, no matter their socio-economic status, who their mother and father are, their health prognosis, or their perceived quality of life. To reject a needy child reveals a cold heartedness in the void of a self-indulgent way of life, like the old Ebenezer Scrooge.
But that's not you. As a partner in the ministry of Homes of Life, you are Jesus to 70 - 75 children. You have a tender and loving heart for them - perhaps you've held them in your arms. You are generous in seeing that their needs are met.
Like the children in your local hospital, the local community around our two homes makes sure our kids end the month of December fully partied out, sugared out, and gifted out.
Then what can you do? Do what you have been doing for the other 11 months of the year: Make sure they can have a loving, nurturing, Jesus-filled environment until they can return to their family of origin, find a new family through adoption, or reach maturity. Will you prayerfully consider making or increasing a sponsorship commitment or a one-time special gift?
Whatever your decision we thank you for your prayers and your support, and wish you a blessed celebration of the Savior's birth.
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