Stories from Heaven's Library - Vol. 17
For Young and Old
Featuring:
The Three Friends
Elmer Winthrope III
A Silent Night
Kalina
Juanito's Christmas Tree
Note included above copyright notice on page 2:
Note: Many of the stories in the Christmas editions of Heaven's Library were received for the GP (such as those in "A Christmas to Remember"). Since we had more stories than could be produced in GP booklets this Christmas, we are printing them here for your reading pleasure.
THE THREE FRIENDS
Once upon a time in a town near Bethlehem, there lived three boys: one deaf, one blind, and one lame. These three friends had grown very close to each other, and were always together, helping each other and doing things together.
One night, while they were having dinner, they were surprised by some people that rushed by them. Immediately the blind boy shouted, "Hey! What's going on!"
"The Savior is going to be born tonight," one of the men answered. Unable to move, the lame boy helplessly watched the shepherds as they disappeared into the night. Suddenly the deaf boy started excitedly pointing up to the sky. The lame boy looked up, and excitedly exclaimed, "Look! Look at that star! That's the direction those shepherds were going in!"
The deaf boy stood up, and excitedly began pointing in the direction where the shepherds had disappeared. The blind boy, wondering what was going on, asked the lame boy what was happening.
"We've got to go see the Savior! We need to follow that star!" By this time the three friends were very excited, and they decided to leave immediately. But their enthusiasm didn't last long, as they realized that their handicaps would greatly hinder them. They had to come up with an idea of how they could all get to the Savior together. They thought and thought, but the more they discussed how to get there, the more frustrated they became.
Finally the blind boy suggested, "If the Savior wants us to meet him, He can do it. He can give sight to the blind, He can help the lame to walk, and the deaf to hear and understand. Let's pray for a miracle." And so they prayed, but nothing happened. The blind boy still couldn't see, the deaf boy couldn't hear and the lame boy couldn't walk.
The lame boy suggested, "There must be something wrong with our faith. If we really believe, let's put feet to our faith."
So the three friends prayed again.
God never fails, His ears are not heavy that He cannot hear, and He gave them an idea of what they could do. Soon, the three friends were on their way, according to the plan God had shown them. They made a stretcher for the lame boy to lie on, and the deaf boy was in the front, while the blind boy held the back end of the stretcher. The deaf boy led the way down the road, in the direction of the star. The lame boy asked people along the way if they knew where they might find a child that had been born that night. He used a stick that he held in his hand to tap the deaf boy on his shoulders to signal the direction they were to go in. The blind boy holding the stretcher in the back carefully listened to the instructions of the lame boy about the condition of the road and the direction they were going in. It was hard work for the three friends, but their desire to meet the Savior kept them going.
As they got closer to the place where the little stable stood, the deaf boy got so excited that he was almost running. The blind boy got so scared that the lame boy had to remind the deaf boy to slow down by tapping his head with his stick. They finally arrived at the stable, where baby Jesus lay in a manger, His face shining and smiling at them.
The blind boy touched Jesus' little fingers, and baby Jesus made a sweet gurgling sound. Their hearts were delighted, knowing that they had met the Savior.
* * *
Things changed so fast in Bethlehem, and as time went by, these three friends got separated. Because of their physical conditions, and because life was difficult in those days, it was almost impossible for them to find work. They had no choice but to beg. It was hard, but there was no other way for them to survive.
As the years passed, life became even tougher. People were more materialistic, and hardly anybody stopped to listen to their pleas for help, much less give to them.
One day, while sitting on a street corner begging, the blind man prayed silently: God, it was 32 years ago that I met baby Jesus. I can still remember His soft voice and His soft hands. Oh, God, if it could only be possible for me to meet Him again before I die! Please, let me hear His voice again. And if it is not possible, take my life right now--because there's no reason for me to live in this world any longer.
Suddenly somebody kicked over his bowl of coins, and he could hear a crowd of people all rushing in the same direction.
"Where is my bowl? Where are my coins?" the blind man shouted, as he frantically felt around on the ground around him. But nobody paid attention to his pleadings, so he called out, "Hey! What's going on here?"
Finally one lad answered him, "It's the great teacher, Jesus. He is passing by!"
When the blind man heard the name 'Jesus,' he excitedly shouted: "Jesus! Jesus! Thou Son of David! Have mercy on me."
The crowd rebuked him, urging him to hold his peace, but he cried even louder: "Jesus! Have mercy on me!"
A hush suddenly came upon the crowd, and the blind man wondered what had happened. Suddenly the silence was broken by the kindest voice the blind man had ever heard. "What do you want Me to do for you?"
He said, "That my eyes may be opened."
Jesus had compassion on him, and touched his eyes, and immediately, for the very first time in his life, he could see--and he was looking right into Jesus' face. He could hardly believe it, but it was true. He shouted excitedly: "I can see, I can see!" He kissed and hugged Jesus, cried and praised God for the miracle.
Soon the crowd, after having witnessed this mighty miracle, went on its way. Then suddenly he saw two strangers coming up to him--calling his name: "Jonas! Jonas!" They seemed so excited to see him, and he wondered why.
"Jonas, do you remember me? It's me, James, your lame friend!"
And the other fellow said, "It's me, Jesse, your deaf friend!"
Could it really be, that after all this time he should find his long lost friends again? He recognized their voices as they spoke. "It is you!" he joyfully exclaimed. Oh, he was so happy to meet his two best friends again. It had been nearly 30 years since they had last been together, and here they were--and each of them had been made whole.
As James and Jesse told their stories, Jonas found out that each of them had been healed by Jesus in a different city, and that they had been following Jesus around ever since. This was truly an exciting moment for these three friends.
The three of them walked together, in the direction that the crowd had disappeared in, and they soon came to a mountain where Jesus was sitting and teaching the people. As they sat down in the grass near Jesus, they couldn't hold back their tears as they listened to what He told the people.
"Once you were deaf, but now you hear; you were lame, and now you walk; you were blind, but now you see."
It had been a long wait for these three friends to see their miracle come to pass, and to feel God's love and mercy in bringing them all together again. They had felt the loving touch of God's only begotten Son, Jesus. Though it had taken time, by their faith, Jesus made them whole.
Many people heard Jesus speak that day, but only few understood the deeper meaning of His Words. As for these three dear friends, they sat together, with their arms on each other's shoulders, tears flowing down their cheeks. They had not only been made whole physically, but also spiritually, through His Words. And so these three friends, James, Jesse and Jonas, were together again--and it wasn't long after that that they all went to Heaven, to be together with Jesus, where they lived happily ever after.
ELMER WINTHROPE III
Elmer Winthrope III was a distinguished gentleman, well educated, well mannered, handsome. He was the son of Elmer Winthrope II, the owner of the city's largest newspaper, The Daily News. He had received the finest education, and graduated with honors. He seemed to have everything going for him--wealth, prestige, recognition, and what looked like guaranteed success. He had everything a man could ask for.
Elmer had been born, it could be said, with a silver spoon in his mouth. He had grown up a happy child, well adjusted, courteous, and popular among his peers. He was bright and athletic; in fact, he had been captain of his high school football team, and was voted "most likely to succeed" by his class. His life had gone from one success to another. Nothing could stop him, or so it seemed.
Elmer held a managerial post at The Daily News, of which his father was chairman. His dream had always been to one day inherit the chairmanship from his father. Now, his father was getting up in years, and although he was only 26 years old, Elmer felt confident that his father would soon turn over the chairmanship of the newspaper to him. He was looking forward to this new challenge with great anticipation. He had always been involved in the newspaper business, but now Elmer felt it was time for him to get serious about his future and career.
He hoped to soon settle down with his high school sweetheart, Marilyn. She was a beautiful woman, and above all, very caring and outgoing. She had a heart of gold, and was constantly concerned about the needs of others. Marilyn was always helping the poor, ministering to the elderly, and visiting the sick. She had also come from a wealthy background and prestigious family. Yet, for all her prominence, she was most well known not for her position in society, but rather for her unselfish character. Those who knew her well said she was like a mother, a teacher, and a nurse, all rolled into one.
Elmer and Marilyn had been seeing each other since they were 17, and now, nine years later, they hoped to join hands in marriage. Elmer prepared to take over his father's business. Once he was the new chairman, he had some changes in policy that he wanted to institute in the running of the newspaper. He wanted to bring the editing and content of The Daily News a little more "up to date." His father was old-fashioned, in his opinion, and adhered much too tightly to those out-of-date morals--principles which, Elmer thought, did not apply to the modern business world.
Elmer was quite sure that he would be able to increase the circulation of the newspaper in no time, which of course would result in more revenue and opportunity for expansion. He was ambitious, and with his promotion looming in front of him, he grew increasingly impatient with his father's outdated ways. Finally, as the date of his father's retirement drew near, Elmer spent several evenings in discussion with his father, sharing his ideas about the changes he felt were needed in the newspaper.
Many other newspapers had taken on a much different tone and color in recent years; they carried sensational headlines, more gossip and nitty-gritty details of celebrities' private lives. Such papers were gaining a large following and readership, and they continued to splash their front pages full of any secrets they could discover about famous personalities, news about love affairs, divorces, heartbreaks, and personal problems. Immorality was making the news--and making it big. Of course, most of these stories were only loosely based on actual fact. Most of them were full of exaggeration or speculation, with only a little bit of truth. But even the actual facts were often twisted and presented with a slant to make them interesting for the reader. Such reports also brought great despair into the lives of the individuals who were affected by them.
Elmer kept trying to get his father to listen to his ideas--that they needed to change with the times. Elmer extolled the need to embrace this new type of reporting, this dramatic sensationalism, fearing that otherwise their newspaper would lose its edge over the increasing popularity of the rival and tabloid* editions. Elmer liked the newspaper's position of number one, and was determined to keep it that way. But he was unable to persuade his father to change the paper's ways.
His father had always been pretty thick-headed and determined, and he clung to his beliefs that such types of reporting not only didn't inform the public of the truth, but that it caused hurt to innocent people. Elmer's father had always told him that the only sin in the news business greater than withholding news from the public was to present news in the wrong way--in a hurtful, dishonest, and incomplete fashion.
And so their debate escalated. Elmer kept trying to convince his father of the need to change, and Elmer's father kept trying to convince him of the need to remain faithful to the morals and scruples for which The Daily News had become known. Elmer's father held that they had a reputation to live up to, and he was determined to uphold their paper's honor and integrity. Elmer couldn't understand how his father could be so stubborn, and his father couldn't understand how Elmer could be so thoughtless and easily swayed by the distasteful and cruel publishing techniques that had gripped the modern media.
As the day of his father's retirement neared, Elmer was called into his father's private study. The atmosphere was chilly, and Elmer could tell by the look on his father's face that he was pensive and heavy-hearted.
After a few long moments of uncomfortable silence, his father turned to him, and, looking deeply into his eyes, said, "Son, I have come to a decision. After much deliberation* and thought, I cannot, in all good conscience, appoint you as chairman of the board of The Daily News. I know this will be a disappointment to you, but since we have not been able to resolve our differences, and since I know you are completely convinced of the new direction you think the newspaper should take, I cannot--and will not--entrust you with the power to bring about those changes.
"While you may see your ideas as a simple business decision--one that will increase the readership of the newspaper--I see it as an unloving and heartless move, one that will in the end hurt many people, and destroy lives, marriages, and businesses. I've spent my whole life, son, building up this business to be a service to the community. I saw it as my duty to publish the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, to the best of my ability. And now, as much as it hurts me to say this, I cannot let you destroy what I have given my life to build. Therefore, you will not be taking over the family business, but I am placing it in the care of your uncle Thomas."
Elmer could not believe his ears. His face flushed, and he became enraged! This was the greatest injustice he had ever seen. After years of waiting and preparation, now at the last minute, the prize was being snatched from his hands and given to another.
He was incredulous. "How can you do this to me?!" he shouted. "How could you do such a thing?! This is unfair! It's not right! It's not right! That's my heritage! I deserve it as your only son!"
But his father would not be convinced. He looked at him sadly, and shook his head, saying, "I'm sorry, Elmer, but my decision is made. Next week I will call the board of directors together and make the announcement."
Elmer was stunned; he was speechless. His heart was pounding and he felt sick to his stomach. He didn't know what had come over him. In the few seconds it took him to realize that his father was serious, his shock had turned into a vengeful anger. "I will never forgive you for this--never!" he shouted, as he turned and walked out of the office, slamming the door behind him.
Arriving at his home, he couldn't shake his anger and frustration, his bewilderment and confusion, his deep hurt at his father's decision. The more he pondered the situation, and how unfair he felt it was, the more those emotions began to overwhelm him. They melted together into a great cluster of bitterness which took over his heart and mind, holding them in its iron grip of spite.
Before long, Elmer's whole personality changed. Where there was once a sense of humor, a jovial personality, kindness and courtesy, there was now a sour disposition, a gloomy countenance, and a sarcastic, cruel manner about him. Folks could hardly recognize Elmer as the same person. He had quit interacting with his friends. He dropped all the hobbies and sports that he used to be involved in. He quit going to football games.--In fact, a lot of days he hardly even spoke. It was as if something inside of him had died. His joy and the exuberance of his youth were slowly drying up; he felt as if he was nothing more than a shell. He was in a pitiful condition, and everybody could see it--but nobody more so than Marilyn.
Marilyn could hardly believe her eyes as she watched the man that she had known and loved for so many years change entirely. He had once been such a gentleman, such a friend. But now she couldn't find that man any more, and as hard as she tried to communicate with him, and to persuade him to leave the past behind so they could go on with their future together, it was to no avail. He would only get all the more sullen.
Finally Marilyn couldn't take it any more; the pain was too great for her. Though it was the last thing she'd ever wanted to do, she had to call off their engagement.
And so Elmer was left all alone. He never visited his family any more, he never saw his friends, and now he had even lost Marilyn--the one person who meant more to him than anything on earth. The only thing that spurred him on, the only motivation or purpose that he had to go on with life, was to make his father pay--to make him suffer for the wrong that he had done. No matter what the cost, he was determined to prove that his father was wrong and he was right.
The months dragged slowly by, and winter was fast approaching. Soon the snow began to fall, and the downtown streets were decked with Christmas decorations. Elmer began seeing Salvation Army bands dotting the street corners, ringing bells and asking for donations. Little choirs from various churches around the city were joyfully singing Christmas carols, as many shoppers hurriedly scurried from store to store in search of their last-minute purchases.
Elmer had never felt such an emptiness as he felt now. This would be his first Christmas alone, without the love of his family, and without the companionship of his beloved Marilyn. Every day he walked to his office, a short distance away from his mansion downtown. He still held his managerial position at The Daily News, and although Christmas was normally a very interesting season for the paper, he found it hard to give his job the same keen attention and enthusiasm that he had in times past. Instead, his mind became filled with thoughts of how he could maneuver himself into a more prominent position.
On one of those cold December mornings, as he walked to the office, which sat adjacent* to the First National Bank, he noticed a little beggar boy sitting on the steps of the bank. He didn't remember if he had ever seen him before. He had taken this route daily for as long as he could remember, but he didn't recall ever seeing the little boy. Maybe he had just been too busy to notice. He stood by, and watched him for a short while.
The boy sat there, patiently holding his hand out, asking passersby for help, and wishing them a cheerful "Good day!" Elmer was intrigued*, wondering how this thin wretch of a child, looking so cold and hungry and dirty, could have such a positive and cheerful disposition.
Elmer walked on, but the face of this child haunted him. Even though his hair was a mess and he was dirty--it had obviously been a long while since he'd had a bath or change of clothes--Elmer couldn't shake the beautiful light he had seen in this boy's eyes, and the warmth he had heard in his voice.
Elmer pondered many a night on this child--whom he now saw on the bank steps every morning--and how someone in such dire conditions could seem to be so happy. Finally Elmer's conscience was pricked. He had seen this boy day after day after day--but he had never given him anything. This particular morning, Elmer happened to have some change, so he dropped it into the dirty little hand. The young boy's sweet voice rung out a cheerful "God bless you! Thank you, sir."
Those words echoed in Elmer's mind that entire morning. How could a little child like that have faith in a God or His blessings? He probably doesn't even have a place to stay or enough food to eat. And he must be all alone--where's his mother? Or does he even have any family?
Day after day, Elmer would walk by the little beggar boy, and each day he would drop a few coins into his hand, and the child never failed to respond with his bright "God bless you! Thank you, sir." Finally, Elmer's curiosity got the best of him, and he sat down beside the little boy and struck up a conversation.
"Son, how can you believe in God's blessing when your life seems so difficult?"
"Well, sir," the little boy replied meekly, "I know God is blessing me, because I know He loves me."
Elmer was astonished; not only did the boy testify of God's blessing, but also of God's love. How could one in such poor condition have such simple and believing faith? "Where's your mother?" Elmer asked, trying to find out more about this most unusual kid.
"My mother's dead," the little beggar replied. "She got shot and killed."
Elmer was horrified, but still curious. What a tragedy for such a young child. How did he cope with it? How did he manage? How did he overcome the sorrow? "Who killed her?" Elmer asked.
"I don't know, sir. Somebody just drove by one day, and the next thing I knew, my mama was on the floor. She'd been hit by a stray bullet and she was dead." At that moment the little child's face dropped, his eyes filled with tears, and he had a faraway look. Undoubtedly, the memory of that moment was still vividly implanted in his young mind.
Elmer tried to sympathize with the young boy. "That must have been difficult for you. Aren't you angry? You must wish you could make those people pay for what they did to your mother; that you could somehow get back at them, and make them suffer as you have suffered."
The little beggar looked up into Elmer's eyes. "No, sir. I can't make them pay. Only God can do that. Mama taught me to forgive. She said we were all sinners, and that if we wanted to be forgiven, then we would have to forgive others. If we don't forgive, she said it would only hurt us and everybody around us."
"Where do you live?" Elmer asked. The young boy's words had cut like daggers into his own unforgiving heart, and he wanted to change the subject.
"My brother, sister and I live on the streets. We sleep in shelters sometimes, but mostly under the city in the subway tunnels."
"But don't you feel like you've been cheated? Don't you think you deserve more from God?" Elmer asked, still trying to figure out how such a miserable looking soul could have such a bright countenance.
"No, sir. Mama always taught us to count our blessings. And just 'cuz she's gone, I ain't gonna quit countin' my blessings--especially now that it's Christmas. She'd be real sad if I was to do that."
Elmer was stunned, and sat there wide-eyed, amazed at the simple faith of this little beggar boy. He was only a child, but even Elmer couldn't help but see the wisdom in his simple words.
Elmer lay awake most of that night thinking about this little beggar's message. Elmer started to see how he had lost everything that was dear to him--all the love and joy and laughter in his life had disappeared when he had determined to prove his father wrong, and to make him suffer for how he had hurt him. It had set off a chain reaction in his life that had affected everything and everyone he touched. It drove everyone away from him. No one could stand to be with him. He couldn't even stand to be with himself. He knew he needed to change but he wasn't quite sure how.
He thought again about what that little boy had said, how he knew that God was blessing him because he knew God loved him. He couldn't help but wonder, Does God love me? Is He willing to bless me? Could I somehow feel His love in my life? Even though Elmer was not accustomed to praying, he got down on his knees, asking that if there was a God, could He please show him how he could regain the joy and the love that he so missed. He was willing to make any sacrifice, to do whatever was needed, just to feel loved again.
The next day, he again passed by his little friend, who he now knew was named Tony, left him with a few coins in his hand, and went on his way. But as he approached the office, he noticed a small group of singing minstrels on the other side of the street. He couldn't help but pick up the words to the unfamiliar song they were singing. "If you give love, you will receive love."
Elmer was not very religious but he felt that perhaps this was the voice of God speaking to him, some kind of angelic answer to his prayer the night before. "If you give love you will receive love " Could that possibly be the secret: that giving love is the key to receiving love? It seemed almost too simple. He stood awhile longer, watching the singers, and pondering what he should do. How could he give love? Should he give a donation to the church? Open a soup kitchen? What could he do? He was willing to do anything.
He turned around, and saw little Tony still sitting on the steps. Well, I can certainly give more love to this little friend. He deserves more than a few coins. Maybe I should give him a dollar, or five dollars. But what's five dollars to all the needs he has? Maybe I should give him 20. Yes, that's what I'll do. I'll give him 20 dollars as a Christmas present. Surely that's giving love. He walked back up and handed Tony a 20-dollar bill.
Tony looked up in surprise, but Elmer simply said, "It's a Christmas gift, for you!"
The boy looked at the bill, and back up at Elmer, as he smiled. "God bless you, sir. God bless you!"
But the next morning when Elmer walked by, Tony was still sitting there on the steps, holding his hand out asking for money, and giving his same friendly greeting to those who passed him by. "Have a good day, sir. Have a good day."
Elmer sat down beside him. "Tony, what are you doing out here? I gave you 20 dollars yesterday. That should last you until way after Christmas."
"Well, sir," he answered meekly, "It's my brother and sister. You see, my brother's sick, and my sister, she has to take care of him. So I gave that money to them. You see, I'm not out here every day just for myself, but for them, because they need me."
"Doesn't it bother you that your brother's not doing anything, and your sister's just taking care of him? You mean that you're sitting out here all day to get money for them? Shouldn't they be doing their fair share?"
"Oh, no, sir," Tony answered. "You see, I'm the lucky one, because God has given me strength and good health. Mama always taught us that the greatest way to help others is not with money or things, but with your time, with your service, and with your heart. So you see, sir, I am blessed. God blesses me, because I can give my time and my strength to serve my brother and sister. That means more to me than any money that I could ever bring them."
Elmer was once again taken aback by the words of wisdom this little beggar spoke. His simple love was a stinging rebuke to Elmer. He felt humbled and ashamed, and all he could do was nod his head. Then he got up and walked away.
Finally one sleepless night, as Elmer lay alone in his sadness and misery, he started to think about what he had learned from his little friend Tony. The more he pondered on the boy's words and simple faith and began to believe that there was truth to them, the more he began to feel good inside. After several hours, he came to a conclusion that surprised even himself. He could hardly believe what he had just decided to do. Had he lost his mind? This sounded absolutely illogical, unreasonable, impractical, and downright crazy. But yet, the moment he had made this decision, an incredible peace came over him, and he fell into the deepest, most restful sleep he'd had in months.
The next morning he woke up with renewed inspiration, and went on his way to the office with a spring in his step and a renewed zest for life. Something inside him had changed. He could feel it. A miracle had happened. As soon as he came to Tony, he sat down beside him, even forgetting to empty the few coins he held into his friend's hand.
"Tony, let me ask you something. This is going to be as big a surprise for you as it was for me." He paused for a moment, as he looked the boy up and down, then he continued. "How would you like to come and live with me? I have a big house, and you can live there with me. You'll have your own room, all the food you want, and you could be like my son."
"Well, thank you, sir, but I couldn't go unless it was with my brother and sister."
A puzzled look came across Elmer's face, but Tony continued. "Maybe it's hard for you to understand, sir, but Mama taught us that there's no bigger love in this whole world, than when you give your life for somebody else. That's what I'm doing--I'm giving my life for my brother and sister. So you see, I can't leave them--not for everything you're willing to give me."
Elmer looked deeply into his eyes, and he could see the sincerity. He knew there was no sense arguing with Tony. This young lad's love and sacrificial spirit were greater than anything Elmer had ever seen.
* * *
It was now Christmas Eve. Elmer was at home in his beautiful suburban mansion. The fire was lit, casting a cozy glow throughout the room. The smell of pine needles wafted through the air. Elmer paced back and forth nervously, as if waiting for something. Finally the doorbell rang. He dashed over to the door, and opened it to see Marilyn standing there.
"Hi, Elmer," she said, "I got your Christmas card. I must say, it was very intriguing. What did you mean when you said I mean, it just wasn't clear what you meant "
"Well, you see," Elmer began, rather haltingly, "I've come to learn the most beautiful truth over the last few weeks, and I just had to let you know. I wanted to share my joy with you. I feel as if I have come back to life again. I had lost my way; the meaning of life had become so clouded, but now--once again--I see, and it's a miracle.
"I think I'm beginning to understand my father. He always cared about people and their feelings. He wanted to be fair and truthful--that was always more important to him than money or success. I used to think he was backward, old-fashioned, foolish; but now I see that he was the one who was really wise. I was the fool. I was willing to hurt people for my own gain. I'm thankful, now, that he stood by his convictions and had the courage to do what he did. He was right.
"I've also learned, in the most unusual way, that if you give love, you receive love. I learned that living for others, giving yourself for others, is the greatest love. Lastly, I have learned about forgiveness, that if you don't forgive, you not only hurt yourself, but everybody around you. I'm sorry that I hurt you, that I drove you away, that I brought you so much heartache. I don't know if you can find it in your heart to love me again, but if you can, please give me another chance. Let's try again to build our future together--a future of love and hope and caring for others."
Marilyn was overwhelmed with emotion, and she threw her arms around Elmer, kissing him tenderly, and then weeping softly on his shoulder, crying tears of sweet relief--the one she loved had come back to her, a better, wiser, and more loving man.
"There's one more person I need to talk to," Elmer said. "We need to "
He was interrupted by the doorbell, and he and Marilyn went to answer. There stood his father. Elmer was shocked. "Father, I was just on my way to talk to you."
"Oh, really?" his father answered with a bemused smile. "That would have been a surprise."
"Please come in."
The three of them stood in the doorway as Elmer and his father looked deeply into each other's eyes. Finally, the father broke the silence. "Please forgive me for hurting you, son."
"No, Dad. Please, it is I who should be asking your forgiveness. I am the one who was wrong. You were motivated by love and concern for others; you were the one willing to do what was right even if it hurt you. I was the one who was wrong. The bitterness that I harbored against you only brought me sadness and pain. I thought that I could find satisfaction by proving that I was right and you were wrong. But there is no satisfaction in bitterness."
Elmer and his father embraced warmly, hugging long and hard. Elmer's father looked into his eyes. "Son, those are pretty deep words you've just spoken."
Elmer winked, and chuckled as he said, "Well, I can't really take the credit. I learned this from a little child; in fact, from a little beggar boy."
He took a deep breath, cleared his throat, and looked around a little nervously. "By the way, that brings me to one last thing that I was going to tell you." He turned toward the dining room, and called, "Tony! Come on, kid!"
Out walked Tony followed by his little brother Eddie and sister Sally. "Uh you may not believe this " Elmer stuttered, "but these are my children. God has blessed me by opening my eyes to the truth, and He has also given me a new reason to live--to care for these three little ones, true gifts of God's love to me. Will you receive them too?"
The three children looked up expectantly at Elmer's father--who suddenly felt like a grandfather--and Marilyn--who suddenly felt like a mother. Marilyn and Elmer's father looked at each other, then at Elmer, then back at the children. Then, in a moment of unforgettable love, they both rushed forward, and took these children into their arms. They didn't know yet who the children were, or where in the world they had come from, but they too recognized the truth of what Elmer had said. "If you give love, you receive love."
And so that year, the Winthrope family enjoyed one of the merriest Christmases that they had ever had--together.
A SILENT NIGHT
"Silent night, holy night!" What beautiful words to a beautiful song, written so long ago; a song that so perfectly captured the calm, serenity and peace of that wonderful first Christmas night.
Nine-year-old Joan lay on her bed, listening to the Christmas carols playing downstairs. Her mom, Angela Jenson, was fixing their Christmas Eve meal. How she loved to listen to those old Christmas carols over and over and over again. Her favorite, "Silent Night," seemed to be playing for the 100th time now, but her mom never tired of hearing it.
Joan was an only child, and lived alone with her mother in a quiet suburban neighborhood. After spending most of the day inside the house, Joan decided she'd heard enough Christmas carols for one day. It was still light outside and she felt she needed to get up and do something, get out of the house. There would be plenty of time with her mom and relatives during the Christmas celebrations, but for now, she felt like finding some of her friends to be with.
Her friend's house stood a short distance down and across the street. With her mind full of thoughts about what she would do with her friend, Joan carelessly ran across the street. She had crossed this street many times before, and she would usually look both ways for any traffic, as her mother had taught her. But today, she forgot.
As she carelessly stepped out into what was normally a very quiet neighborhood street, there suddenly came the screeching of tires, an awful thud, and the sound of a car roaring off. Angela heard the sound from the kitchen, over the Christmas carols that were playing in the background. In a moment of frightening intuition, she dropped everything and ran out the door. There, to her horror, lay her little Joan, crumpled on the street, hit by a passing car.
Thoughts of anguish and grief flooded Angela's heart and mind. That peace and calm she had felt only moments before had suddenly been shattered. Now she only felt pain and anxiety, as she raced to her daughter lying in the street.
Other doors opened, as neighbors began to come out of their houses, wondering what had happened. "Quick!" Angela shouted, her voice quivering with fear, "Call an ambulance. My girl is hurt!"
Kneeling over her daughter, Angela pushed away the hair that was covering Joan's face. Joan was unconscious, but breathing. Thank God! she thought, She's alive. There's hope. Oh, God! Please save my little daughter. Please don't let her die, she prayed.
At the hospital the doctors found that Joan had suffered a concussion, and that her arm had been broken, but there were no other serious injuries. Considering the force of the impact, even the doctors had to admit it was nothing short of a miracle that Joan had only suffered relatively minor injuries. Her condition seemed stable enough, yet she had not regained consciousness since the accident.
Angela sat at her daughter's bedside, holding her hand. Thoughts of Christmas now seemed far away to Angela. What kind of Christmas would this be without her darling daughter?
As the woman sat alone by her daughter's silent bedside, the sounds of Christmas carols began ringing through her ears once again. "Silent night, holy night " Angela buried her face in her hands. Oh, dear God! she thought, Will this be my silent night? Will my Joan remain silent? This was not the kind of silence she had ever imagined would befall her at Christmas.
"Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright." The words echoed through her mind, and she began to softly sing them out loud.
"Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon virgin, mother and child,
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace."
She paused, and looked at Joan's still form laying on the hospital bed. She began to reflect on Christmases gone by. There had not really been all that many quiet, calm and peaceful moments. Christmas days always seemed to be filled with action, business and endless chatter with friends and relatives. How often had she truly taken the time to stop and reflect on the meaning of that beloved song? "Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright."
In the stillness and silence of that hospital room, broken only by the soft breathing of her daughter, Angela began to feel a peace and a calm, a quietness and serenity that she could not remember ever having experienced before.
A thought came into her head, only a single word: pray. There was nothing else that she could do now. So there, Angela poured out her soul in desperate prayer for the life and health of her daughter.
That quiet, peaceful, calm and serene atmosphere that she felt surrounding her and her daughter remained through the night, as Angela remained by her daughter's bedside.
Christmas morn came softly, and the first rays of the golden sun began to pierce the darkness and stillness of the room.
"Mommy?" a quiet voice said. "Mommy? Is that you?"
Angela raised her weary head. She had fallen asleep in her chair where she had been praying.
"Joan, are you all right?"
"Yes, Mommy, but my head hurts."
Angela reached over and kissed her dear daughter. Tears of joy began streaming down her face, as she uttered hushed words of thankfulness to the One Who had stayed by their side through the night. "Thank You. Thank You. Thank You." Angela's prayers had been answered that night, and her daughter was back.
That was all she could have wished for this Christmas. But there was more--her favorite old Christmas carol had taken on a new meaning for Angela.
"Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright."
Never again, Angela vowed, would she be so caught up in the gaiety of the celebration as to neglect that time of peace and quiet and rest. She had received a wonderful gift that Christmas: the gift of seeing the power of prayer, and experiencing the peace and contentment such times of quiet trust, and communion with God, can bring.
"Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace. "
KALINA
Kalina was six years old, and she had never celebrated Christmas--in fact, she hadn't even heard of it, nor did she know about anyone named Jesus.
Kalina lived in a small hut on the plains of Western Africa, in a land now known as the Congo. She lived with her mother, father, and six brothers and sisters. It was a humble and simple life, but neither Kalina nor her family, nor the other families of their tribe who lived in the surrounding huts, knew life could be any other way. For centuries their families had lived on these plains, the men hunting and growing crops, and the women cooking and cleaning and caring for their large families. Kalina was already becoming quite a "little mother" herself, helping to care for her two younger brothers, while her older sister helped Mommy cook, and her three big brothers were off in the fields working with their father.
* * *
In the spring of 1865, Samuel and Judy left their home in England and boarded a ship bound for Western Africa. Judy and Sam had been friends and neighbors since childhood, and had gone through elementary and secondary school together. As they grew older, they grew more and more fond of one another, and after Sam graduated from college, they had gotten married.
Over the years they had shared a dream of going to Africa together as missionaries, to preach the Gospel to those who had never heard. They liked the adventure and excitement of moving to a new country, a new culture, learning a new language and meeting new people. Now their dream was beginning to come to pass, and though they didn't have much in the way of money or supplies, they had each other, a lot of faith in God, and they were happy.
* * *
One beautiful summer day, while gathering flowers and berries, Kalina wandered further and further from her little village, until she came to the edge of the "great forest." Her parents had always told her she was never to go into the forest, as there were wild animals and bad spirits there that would harm her. She realized she was very far from home now, and that she should go back soon, before it got dark. So she turned around and started heading back the way she thought she had come, picking more berries along the way.
When it started getting darker, and Kalina still did not see her village, she suddenly realized that she was lost, and that she didn't know which way she should go. By now she was getting hungry and she wished she was safely back home in her hut eating dinner with her family. She knew that her daddy and older brothers were probably out looking for her, and she kept hoping she'd see them at any time but she must have just wandered too far. Kalina was exhausted after being out all day in the hot sun and having walked so far. She knew that it wasn't any use to continue running blindly through the darkness, so she laid down and fell asleep through her sobs.
* * *
As the early morning sun rose over the plains, Kalina awoke, and looked up. Scanning the horizon for the village, she couldn't see it anywhere, but instead, a large cloud of smoke loomed ominously in the distance. She ran towards it, and was horrified to find a pile of ashes where her family's hut had once stood.
A band of robbers had attacked in the night, pillaging the village and setting fire to it. They left as quickly as they had come, leaving the smoldering ruins behind them. A few little fires were still burning throughout the village, and as Kalina walked through the rubble, she realized that her family--and all her relatives and friends--had perished. She sat down, put her head in her lap, and cried until she couldn't cry any more.
Now she was left all alone; she didn't know what to do or where to go. She had heard about the big village on the other side of the great forest, and the only thing she could think to do was try to go there and see if she could find someone who would take care of her, or at least give her something to eat.
Kalina left the smoldering village and walked onward until she reached the great forest. She hesitated to enter, as she was scared of the big forest, and didn't know how she'd be able to find her way through it, but she had no other choice, or any other way of finding help.
Bravely she set out through the forest, finding a few fruits and berries along the way that she knew were safe to eat, all the while heading in the direction where she knew the sun would set. When it started to get dark, she curled up on a rock under a tall tree and slept.
* * *
Sam and Judy had been in Africa for nearly a year now. They had been accepted into a village near the forest, where the local people had allowed them to build their little house. During the months that they had been in the village, Sam and Judy had learned much about the customs of these villagers, and they tried hard to understand and learn their language, but many were still unsure of what to think about the God these English people talked about. Still, they trusted them, and knew they were kind people. There were even some who would come regularly to their little house to listen to the stories they told about a man called Jesus.
It was nearing the end of December, and this would be Sam and Judy's first Christmas away from England, and the first time the villagers would have heard of Christmas. Sam and Judy wanted to make it special. They decided to gather all the village people together to hear the Christmas story. In the days before Christmas, Sam cut down a tree from the forest nearby, and set it up in the garden outside the simple house that the villagers had helped them to build. Judy decorated candles to light up the tree, made little baubles from bits of ribbon and string, and little paper parcels and stars to hang on it.
Sam was good with his hands, and built a large nativity scene--a wooden stable and manger, with carved wooden figures of Joseph, Mary, Jesus, the shepherds, the angels, and the wise men. It was a work of art, and many of the village people stopped by to admire it and to ask what it meant. Sam promised them that in a few days, when it was Christmas, they'd all get together and everyone could hear the story!
The other women in the village helped Judy collect some of what they thought were rather unusual ingredients, and she went to work preparing a special Christmas meal to which they'd invite as many of the villagers as would come.
The one thing that marred Sam and Judy's happiness, especially with Christmas coming up, was that they both very much wanted to have children. They had now been married for two years, and Judy was beginning to wonder if she'd ever get pregnant and have a baby. This often weighed heavily on her heart, and if she stopped to think about it she'd feel miserable. So she resolved to keep busy and spend time with the village children, telling them stories and playing games with them, so as not to think about herself or having children of her own.
* * *
As the sunlight came filtering down through the treetops the next morning, Kalina got up and continued walking. She kept thinking of her mom and dad, crying all the way as she walked, wondering if there was anyone else in the world who would love her and take care of her.
Again she walked all day, and as it started getting dark, Kalina felt afraid. She didn't want to spend another night sleeping alone in the dark forest, so she determined to keep walking. Before darkness had fully settled, she suddenly saw light up ahead, flickering through the trees. She wondered if it was coming from the "big village" she had heard about. She walked a little faster now, and before she knew it, she had reached a clearing. As she emerged from the edge of the forest, she saw a beautiful tall tree all lit up with white candles--she had never seen anything so pretty in all her life! She walked towards it, and then sat down and started looking in awe at the large manger scene, carved in wood, that stood underneath it.
* * *
Shortly before they were to start their Christmas dinner, Judy looked out her window to see a little girl, all dirty and ragged, emerge from the forest. She wiped her hands on her apron and walked outside to find out who this child was. She bent down to talk to her and asked her what her name was.
Kalina looked up at this white woman with blond hair and stared at her for the longest time. Then she started crying as she told her story of the fire and how she'd lost her family. Judy lovingly put her arms around Kalina, holding her closely and drying her tears. "Come with me, and let me get you something to eat, and some clean clothes to wear. You can stay here with us." Judy brought the little girl in the house and gave her some of the Christmas dinner she was preparing. Then she helped her to wash and found her some clean clothes.
That evening, the village people gathered outside the missionaries' house to look at the manger scene, admire the lit Christmas tree, and hear the story of the first Christmas. Sam and Judy felt happier than they ever had before as they told the story of a Man Who came to Earth many, many years ago to bring love and life to all mankind. Many of the villagers came to believe in Jesus that night, receiving Him as their Savior and Friend; and one lost little girl found a loving family, and this dear couple who had prayed for a child found one who desperately needed their love and care.
As Kalina sat in Judy's lap and listened to the story of Jesus, how He loves and cares for every person, every child, all over the world, the sadness, loneliness and fear that she had felt just hours earlier melted away. She now felt happy and secure, safe in the arms of this kind stranger. Once again she had a family, parents who could love and care for her; and even more than that, she knew that there was Someone Who loved her, and Who would look out for her and take care of her no matter what happened!
JUANITO'S CHRISTMAS TREE
Once upon a time, in the city of Puno, Peru, there lived a boy named Juanito (pronounced wan-ee-toh). Juanito was eight years old, and a very smart boy, but what is more, he had a lot of faith in the Lord, and in His care and supply. Juanito's parents were missionaries, and they had decided to move to this city to preach the Gospel.
Christmas was coming and Juanito wanted very much to have a Christmas tree. Over the years, he had collected a box of Christmas decorations, and every year at Christmas time, his favorite activity was to help decorate the family Christmas tree.
"Mummy, can we go and buy a Christmas tree?"
"I'm so sorry, Juanito, but we don't have any money left right now to pay for a Christmas tree. Besides the rent, we have to pay for the water, electricity, telephone, our food, and we have very little left, actually almost nothing."
"But Mummy, how can we have Christmas without a Christmas tree? It won't be the same without a Christmas tree!"
"Well, Juanito, I know how much you like Christmas trees, and how every year you look forward to decorating the tree. But you know, the most important thing about Christmas is not the tree, or the presents, or even the decorations, but how much love we can show to the world, to the people around us--to the lost sheep that Jesus came to save."
"But Mummy, we can pray! We can pray that Jesus will supply our Christmas tree this year."
"That's true, Juanito. I'm sure the Lord can supply a Christmas tree. He said that if we delight ourselves in Him, He would give us the desires of our heart. So let's pray."
So they prayed, and the Lord gave Juanito an idea of what he could do.
"Mummy! I had an idea! You know that gardening shop down the road where there are lots of Christmas trees? We can go there and talk to the owner. Maybe if we witness to him, and tell him about Jesus, the Lord will touch his heart to give us a Christmas tree. What do you think?"
"Okay, Juanito. But this place is the only place that has Christmas trees around here, and if they decide not to help, I don't know where else we'll be able to get one."
* * *
The next day Juanito woke up very early, enthusiastic about the idea of getting a Christmas tree. He prayed a fervent prayer before getting out of bed, asking the Lord to bless their visit to the gardening shop, and claiming the Lord's promise that says, "My God shall supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory."
Juanito, full of faith, headed to the gardening shop with his mother. They had to wait a little while before Mr. Jos was able to see them, but when he came, Juanito didn't waste any time. He handed him a tract, and said "Here, Mr. Jos, this is for you. It's a special Christmas message that could change your life."
Mr. Jos looked down at this young boy, surprised at the boldness with which he spoke. He took the tract and began to read it. Juanito continued to talk to him.
"Mr. Jos, I'm a missionary, and Christmas is a very important time for me, because it reminds me of Jesus' birthday. Christmas is coming soon, and I have all the Christmas decorations needed for a tree, but we don't have a Christmas tree to put them on. We don't have enough money to buy one, so I prayed, and Jesus showed me to ask you. So we came to see if you could help us with a Christmas tree this year."
Mr. Jos was both surprised and amused at the conviction and sincerity in Juanito's voice. But it was certainly an unusual request. "But, I sell Christmas trees, and they cost a lot of money. Okay, well, let me see. Maybe there is something that I can give you."
Mr. Jos took Juanito on a little tour of his shop, and stopped next to some rather small and skimpy trees. These were not exactly the kind Juanito had in mind. With a lot of faith, he looked up at Mr. Jos and said, "Mr. Jos, these trees are not exactly what I had in mind. I will show you the type that will look best with my decorations."
Juanito walked over to the section with the trees he wanted. They were tall, full of branches, very green, and also more expensive.
Mr. Jos couldn't help laughing at the determination this kid had. With a smile on his face, he said to Juanito, "Okay, son. The tree is yours! Take it home, and a merry Christmas to you and your family."
"Thank you so much, Mr. Jos. Jesus will bless you! You know, I would like to give you a special Christmas gift."
"A Christmas gift?"
"Yes. You see, long ago, on that first Christmas, God gave us a special Christmas gift--the free gift of eternal life. He sent His only Son, Jesus, to come to Earth. Jesus lived in love, and died in love--for us, so that we could have everlasting life, and so that we could live forever with Him in Heaven. Do you believe in Jesus, Mr. Jos? Would you like to ask Him into your heart, so that you, too, can live forever, and go to Heaven?"
Mr. Jos looked into Juanito's eyes. He stood still for a moment, looking around. A few other customers were walking around the shop. "So you mean pray with you right here and now?"
"Yes, it's really simple. All you have to do is repeat this little prayer after me: Dear Jesus "
Juanito led Mr. Jos in a simple prayer, and Mr. Jos asked Jesus to come into his heart.
Mr. Jos instructed one of his helpers to load up the Christmas tree into a truck and to deliver it to their door. He then disappeared into the back of his shop to attend to some customers.
The helper was quite surprised that Mr. Jos had just given away this rather expensive Christmas tree for free. He told Juanito's mother, "This is most unusual. I have know Mr. Jos for many years, and he has never given anything to anybody. He doesn't even give discounts, and now I see him giving you this costly Christmas tree--and giving it with a smile on his face!"
"It's because we prayed," Juanito said, "and Jesus answered our prayer. Do you believe in Jesus?" Juanito asked, as he pulled out a tract to give to this man as well. "Here, this is a special Christmas gift for you."
And so it was that Juanito went home happy, thanking the Lord for so abundantly supplying this beautiful Christmas tree, and for helping him to share the true meaning of Christmas with those they had met along the way.
Definitions included throughout booklet:
* tabloid: a newspaper giving concise news, usually with illustrated and often sensational material
* deliberation: discussing and considering all sides of an issue
* adjacent: next to
* intrigued: interested, curious
(End)
Copyright (c) 1998 by Aurora Productions