Twas' 11 days before Christmas

Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.
they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."
when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"come now my children, let me show you around."
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

Jesus said it: trouble, grief, and joy

Have you ever felt like you just don't fit in? As a follower of Christ, this is a common occurrence for me. And it is often tough, when you see so many enjoying themselves, doing what they please, seeming to have such a wonderful time and a wonderful life outside of a relationship with Christ.

And it seems like this is Satan's biggest attack and his best trick for drawing followers of Jesus Christ away from Him and toward the world. Many come to Christ thinking that they are going to enjoy a better life here on earth and that it is going to be easier for them after they accept Christ's call to a new way and a new life. But that is not what Jesus promised, that is not what He offers, and that is not what He brings to us.

Instead, in John 16:33, Jesus promised us trouble; "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” You see, trouble while we are living our days here on earth, but also peace, knowing that Christ has overcome this world and all of the "trouble" that it has to offer.

Jesus had another promise for His followers concerning our days on this earth in John 16:22; "Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." Not only trouble, but grief too, is this the life that Jesus calls us to? Yes! Because, after we have endured this minute time of trouble and grief, if we have stayed the course and remained faithful to Christ, we will see Him and we will rejoice at His sight.

At another place, Jesus promised grief now and joy later; "I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy." So, while the world is rejoicing around us, we may be going through trouble, grieving, or even weeping and mourning, all while those around us are rejoicing and celebrating. But, soon, very soon, we will see the face of Jesus and it will all be worth it.

This is why we, as followers of Jesus Christ, don't fit it! It all makes sense now, we don't fit in because we aren't suppose to, we don't fit in because we don't belong here. Again, Jesus said; "If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."

So, when you feel out of place, take heart, when you feel like you don't fit in, go in peace, and when you feel like you can't go on any longer, keep the faith. Soon, when you see the face of Jesus, all the joy in your heart and the rejoicing in your spirit will take away all the sorrow that this world is laying on you now.