In 1994, two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics (based on biblical principles) in the public schools. They were invited to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments and a large orphanage. About 100 boys and girls who had been abandoned, abused, and left in the care of a government-run program were in the orphanage. They relate the following story in their own words: It was nearing the holiday season, 1994, time for our orphans to hear, for the first time, the traditional story of Christmas. We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving
in Bethlehem. Finding no room in the inn, the couple went to a stable, where the baby Jesus was born and placed in a manger. Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word.
Completing the story, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper square, cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me. No colored paper was available in the city. Following instructions, the children tore the paper and carefully laid strips in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel (cut from a worn-out nightgown an American lady was throwing away as she left Russia ), were used for the baby's blanket. A doll-like baby was cut from tan felt we had brought from the United States. The orphans were busy assembling their manger as I walked among them to see if they needed any help. All went well until I got to one table where little Misha sat. He looked to be about 6-years-old and had finished his project. As I looked at the little boy's manger, I was
startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger. Quickly, I called for the translator to ask the lad why there were two babies in the manger. Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at this completed manger scene, the child began to repeat the story very seriously. For such a young boy, who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings accurately -- until he came to the part where Mary put the baby Jesus in the manger. Then Misha started to ad-lib.He made up his own ending to the story as he said,
 "And when Mary laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no mama and I have no papa, so I don't have any place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with Him. But I told him I couldn't, because I didn't have a gift to give Him like everybody else did. But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. I thought maybe if I kept Him warm, that would be a good gift." So I asked Jesus, 'If I keep You warm, will that be a good enough gift?' And Jesus told me, 'If you keep Me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave Me.' So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and He told me I could stay with Him -- for always."
As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that splashed down his little ---
cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table and his shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed. The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon nor abuse him, someone who would stay with him -- for always. And the Americans? They had learned the lesson they had come there to teach -- that it is not what you have in your life, but Who you have in your life that really counts. We all should give thanks for the people that "keep us"- in life - and for all of God's many blessings to us: freedom from want, life, love, togetherness, and for the enduring love of Jesus Christ, the one person who keeps us warm and safe for always. Author Unknown --- Sent in by Karen McGriff --- Texas
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RIP Jim Burgess.. Feb 22, 1935 - Dec 18, 14
Bet he never thought last year that he would rejoin Bertie (his wife) in a "Heavenly Reunion" this year. And don't you just know that he is enjoying his new body, healthy and happily with his wife and so many more loved ones.. Give Bertie a hug from us to Jim...
prayers and sympathy for their family
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 And praying for you and yours today and always, that God will bless each of you spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, financially and with His awesome and unchanging love, grace, forgiveness, mercies, guidance and a special blessing for each of you that only He knows you need. Praying for the family that lost their home due to fire. Praying for Alex and her family at the loss of her Granddad also. Praying for everyone that is sick and for everyone that has any type of dreaded and many times painful and sometimes fatal diseases. Please Lord, send a cure for EB, Cancer, Heart Disease, Lung Diseases, and all the many other illnesses. Praying for Chris, Norman and everyone that has to be on the road today, for safety going and coming home. Praying for the soldiers, policemen, all type of "service people" and their safety, and comfort and inner peace for them and their families. God bless each of you through the holidays and touch your hearts in ways He wants them touched. GIVING HIM THE THANKS, OUR LOVE, HONOR, PRAISE AND GLORY FOR ALL THINGS IN JESUS HOLY NAME, AMEN.
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