I always enjoy sharing this story with readers on Christmas Eve. It truly brings home the true meaning of Christmas. What gift would we be able to give to Jesus? I believe this blog post answers that question. I hope it touches your heart as it did mine.
It was Christmas Eve, and the father wanted to impress upon his 2 sons the importance of what Christmas was all about. The boys had experienced a very tough life in the few years they had been alive, and this was their first Christmas in foster care. How could he help them understand that Jesus was the Reason for the season? While he was listening to the radio later that day, a listener called into the station talking about baking a birthday cake for Jesus with her kids. That was the ticket! He gathered the ingredients together, rounded up the boys, and began mixing. As you might imagine, when you are cooking with kids, things can get messy, and this experience was no different. There was plenty of batter and flour coating the countertops, cabinets, and bodies. As they mixed, the father explained the birth of Jesus, the visits from the Wise Men, the shepherds, and how Mary & Joseph took care of Jesus. The dad also went on to explain how Jesus grew up, taught many multitudes about God, and was eventually crucified and killed. However, on the third day, Jesus rose from the dead, ascended into Heaven 40 days later, and one day will return again for His people. The boys wanted to know, "Who are His people?" The father told them that those who believe in Him, and accept Him as Savior are His people. The boys had never done this, and wanted to do so right away. The father led them in a prayer while the cake was baking. Even before the cake was ready to taken out, 2 new souls had received God's blessed gift of salvation.
This story took place about 15 years ago, and this story is my own. I was a foster parent, and had the privilege of leading these two boys to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. They knew that the day we set aside to celebrate the birth of Jesus was also their "spiritual birthday," or the day they received Christ. Have you given yourself to Jesus? Are you trying to win His love by giving in the offering, attending church, or being good? If that is what you are relying on to receive eternal life in Heaven, let me warn you that this is simply not enough. Multiple Biblical passages stress the importance of confessing your sins to God, believing that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and accepting Him as your Lord and Saviour. That right there is the only way to Heaven. My 2 foster boys were able to understand that message, and although I do not know where they are today, or what they are doing, I will always remember that blessed Christmas Eve when I was able to pray with them. I often wonder if they remember that night. I think that deep in the backs of their minds, they remember. That night, as we set out cookies and milk for Santa, the boys asked me if Santa believed in Jesus. I showed the boys a picture similar to the one at the beginning of this post. Santa wrote them a letter that night, congratulating them on their decision, and told them that although he himself was a fun part of Christmas, they should put their focus on Jesus' birth. That impressed the boys!
Not long after that, the boys left my home and were adopted by a family. I never saw them again. I do not know if the boys are living for The Lord today or not, but I know that because of the trust they put in God that night, they have a place in Heaven. I hope that you have a place in Heaven as well. Have you given yourself to Jesus? In case you've ever wondered what kind of gift Jesus would want, there's the answer. He wants you. Merry Christmas!
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