Scripture ~ Mark 1:4-11
4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judæa, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
6 And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
Story ~ "A Good Christmas Story"
On Christmas Eve, in homes everywhere, there is quiet excitement. A festive feeling and the warmth this holiday brings reminds me of a Christmas tale I love to relate each year. It*s a true story, even though it might sound unbelievable. And it gives proof that miracles do happen.
A long time ago there was a group of young people who decided to spread some Christmas cheer. They had discovered that there were several children who would be spending Christmas in a community hospital near by. So they bought nice presents, wrapped them, and armed with guitars, sweet voices and one of the friends dressed as Santa Clause --dropped in at the hospital unexpectedly.
**The children were overjoyed at seeing Santa, and by the time the group was handing out presents and singing Christmas Carols, there were tears in everyone's eyes. From then on, it was decided they would play Santa every year.
The next year,the ladies at the hospital were included in their rounds, and by the third year it was expanded to embrace some poor children in the the fourth year however, after all the rounds were made, Santa looked into his bag to discover there were still a few extra toys left. So the friends mulled- it over,trying to figure out what to do. Somebody mentioned a few squatters shacks nearby in which a couple of desperately poor families lived.
So the group decided to go there. Thinking there were perhaps three families at most. But as they drove over the crest of the hill into this lonely area-it was around midnight now- the shocked group saw a large number standing at the side of the street.
There were children, more than thirty of them. Behind them were not three shacks, but rows and rows of them. As the car drew to a stop, the children came running out, shouting with joy. It turned out they had been waiting patiently all night for Santa Clause. Somebody- no one could remember had told them he was coming, although our Santa had decided to go there moments before.
Everyone was stunned, except for Santa. He was in a panic. He knew he didn't have enough toys for all the children. Not wanting to disappoint the children, he decided to give whatever toys he had to the smallest When the presents ran out, he'd just have to explain to the bigger kids what happened.
So moments later he found himself perched on top of the cars hood these thirty or more sparkling clean children, dressed in their best clothes, lined up in order -according to height, with the smallest first. Waiting for their moment with him. As each anxious child approached, Santa dipped into his bag, his heart heavy with dread, hoping to find at least one more toy. And, by some miracle, he found a toy each time he dipped into the bag. And as the last of the children received there present, Santa looked into his deflated bag, it was toy-less. It was empty- empty as it should have been 24 children ago.
With relief, he let out a hearty HO-HO-HO and bade the kids farewell. But as he was about to enter the car, (the reindeer apparently had the day off) he a child scream, "Santa, Santa, Wait!!" And out of the bushes rushed little children, a boy and a girl. They had been asleep. Santa's heart sank. This time he knew for sure he had no more toys. The bag was empty. But as the out of breath kids approached, he summoned up some courage and dipped in to the bag once more. And, lo and behold, there were two more presents in there.
The group of friends, now all grown adults, still talk about this miracle on Christmas morning. They still have no explanation for it, other than the it happened. How do I know so much about this? Well I was the one playing Santa.
~Raynier Maharaj, Toronto, Canada.
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