The Solomon Rosenberg family endured life together in a Nazi death camp. Not only were Solomon and his wife imprisoned, but their two children, Jacob and David, and Solomon's aged parents, too.

The first to die in the ovens were the grandparents. They were in their eighties and unable to work the long, grueling hours. Under Nazi policy, since they were unable to "earn" their livelihood in the camp, they forfeited their right to life! Solomon feared the next to go would be David, the youngest, who was slightly crippled. Every morning as members of the family went their separate ways, Solomon feared it might be the last time he would see David.

Upon returning home one day, his greatest fear had been realized. David was nowhere to be found. He quickly scanned the crowds of people and saw Jacob huddled in a corner crying.

"Where is David? Did they take David today?" he asked. "Yes," Jacob replied between sobs. "But where is mother? She was well. She could work. Where is she?" Jacob looked at his father with tears flowing from his cheeks. "Papa," he said, "they came for David, and he started to cry. And so Mother pleaded to go along, and they let her. I saw them go Papa. Mother was holding David in her arms so that he would not be frightened!" 

This earthly story is a picture of what God did in a much greater way when He came to earth. The Baby "wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger" (Luke 2:12) comes for one reason - to die. Not to the ovens of Auschwitz, but to a cross to die for your sins. He comes to hold You in His arms so that when you walk through the valley of death, you will not be frightened (Psalm 23:4).

This is Christmas. He comes to bring life out of death. He opens the doors to heaven. He comes to say, "Do not be afraid. I hold you in My arms." The future is promised. "Heaven is your home!" ""Glory to God in the highest..." (Luke 2:14).