Is There A "W" In Christmas #456

SURFING WITH JESUS # 456121806
Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr.
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com.

IS THERE A “W” IN CHRISTMAS

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peacefulexperience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations...extensive cardwriting, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending

Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the preciousfamily moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas. My son,Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season fora six year old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's"Winter Pageant." I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working thenight of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spokewith his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal themorning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend thatevening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholasseemed happy with the compromise.

So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early,found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room,I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats.
As I waited, the students were led into the room.
Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor.Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to theholiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun,commercial entertainment...songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakesand good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love,"I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.

Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzymittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Thosein the front row - center stage - held up large letters, one by one,to spell out the title of the song.

As the class would sing, "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up theletter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holdingup his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her;a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down -totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W". The audience of 1stthrough 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she hadno idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her"W".

Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughtercontinued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant,we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holidayin the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for ourfestivities.

For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:"CHRISTWAS LOVE" And, I believe, He still is!!!

God certainly does work in mysterious ways!!!

HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS

Shared by Ed

1John 1:9 "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr., 2355 Parkway Dr. SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 Subscribe or Unsubscribe at gene@SurfingwithJesus.com. http://www.SurfingwithJesus.com.

Join us in prayer for all request received each week. My sole desire as I share is to uplift Christ, fellow Christians, and share the love of Jesus with others.