The Christmas Wish
By Timothy W. Tron
Burke County
My time at Crossnore may have ended recently as the Lord has led me elsewhere, but there will forever be a piece of me in that special place. There were many heartbreaks, many moments where you felt your heart being torn in two. Of all the many unexpected blessings, my fondest memory is that of bedtime. For not only did it mean the end of a usually very tiring day was at hand, but it also allowed for us staff, Cottage Parents, to perform the duties of putting to bed the little ones.
As you might imagine, we would read from their favorite books, speaking softly and cherishing their laughter. Then when it came time to tuck them in for the night and quietly leave the room, they would be one more request. Before you could make it to the door, they would ask for one last favor; to pray with them. For every prayer lifted, you could always be assured of one request that was never forgotten, one prayer request that every single child would ask, “Mr. Tim, would you please pray that I get to go home soon.”
Your heart would break once more as that tender voice spoke in sweet, hushed tones.
No matter how close we might have felt to each child, no matter the bonds that were formed, you knew then what mattered most in their little hearts; going home. The stories from which they had survived were often horrific and beyond belief. The majority of them were there because of no fault of their own. Their only wish was to return to a place that had caused so much trauma, so much bleakness, that it created an environment so unhealthy that they had been physically removed for their own safety. Yet, each one, no matter how severe the despair, would ask to return.
It would literally tear your heart into pieces as tears would come to your eyes each night you closed your eyes to pray for them.
They knew that no matter what, the Children’s Home was not their home, but the place from which they came was their true home, if in name only.
Likewise, Jesus knew that this world was not his home. As he said in the gospel of Matthew, “And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.” And he reminded his disciples in the gospel of John, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”
Unlike those forsaken children at Crossnore, Jesus knew that this earth was not his home. He was also aware that his Heavenly home was not his home in name only, but that He was of his Father. He, Jesus Christ, was and is the Son of the only one true living God, sent to earth to die for the sins of the entire world, and even those yet to come; even those little children who asked for prayers in His Holy name.
How precious it was to hear of those little voices lifting in prayer their needs and concerns of others. So often they would pray for those whom they felt less fortunate; when in truth, they were more needful. It was obvious what Jesus meant when he said in the gospel of Matthew, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
We might imagine one night, as Mary knelt beside the bed of the young Jesus, that he too, might have asked for the same prayer. How heartbroken Mary might have been at first if Jesus would have asked that same question, “Please pray that I might go home soon to be with my real Father,” but when she realized the miracle to with which she had been glorified, she would have known that it was the truth.
Yes, the birth of Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, was the answer to the curse of sin from the first man, Adam. We celebrate each year this precious gift, and with each season, those forgotten children suffer the heartaches of being away from their home. Although they are richly rewarded with bountiful blessings of donations and tidings, they would quickly tell you in the end, the gift they would prefer over any other, was not one of this world, not of the flesh, but that to return home; to go from whence they came.
And so, it was with Christ; that he too may return to His Father when his work on earth was done; his meat as he called it; to do the will of His Father.
Each of us can be thankful that when we walk with Christ, we too, can claim the victory in defeating death because of his sacrifice for our sins. “Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.”
Yes, this world is not our own, but that which is in Heaven, that kingdom to come.
So, this Christmas season, be thankful to have an earthly home with all the riches of the season. But most of all, pray for those little ones separated from their mommies and daddies, for whatever reason. And at the end of the day, when the gifts are opened and the last dish washed, pray this prayer. That no matter where on this earth we might be, that as Jesus said, “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God,” that we all may too someday finally go to our real home, that which is in Heaven.
And in this Christmas season, take a moment to give thanks for all you have that is not of this world. And lastly, be sure to say a prayer for those who are less fortunate because they might be closer than you think.
Merry Christmas to all.
Thanks be to God.
“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”-Jn.17:16
“Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.”-Heb.13:13-14
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Timothy W. Tron lives in Collettsville, NC. with his family. He is the former Director of the Trail of Faith in Valdese, where he still volunteers and helps with tours. He is the author of a new Christian series, “Children of the LIght”, with the first book being, “Bruecke to Heaven”, and his recent book, being the second, “The Light in the Darkness”. He is an active blogger, artist, and musician. Timothy also has a BSEE from UF, and is a Lay Speaker. He can be reached at twtron@live.com. You can also visit his website at //www.timothywtron.com/
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